Page 32 of Snowbound with the Scoundrel
Clarissa stared at the paper, her thoughts aswirl.The article was entirely consistent with what Rupert had told her in the carriage, that he had known nothing about that letter.I am going to make this right, he had said.
He had certainly backed up his words with actions.The original letter had been printed in dozens of papers across the country.
Had Rupert truly threatened to sue them all?
A silver tray appeared beside her.She glanced up to see a footman.On the fringes of her vision, she saw a dozen heads hastily swivel back to face forward.Once again, she was providing the juiciest gossip to Lord and Lady Helmsley’s guests.
The footman held out his tray.“A letter for you, Miss Weatherby.”
She recognized the sturdy handwriting of her brother-in-law, Jasper St.James:
Dear Clarissa,
I received Rupert Dupree’s letter.I am pleased to learn that the two of you have met and managed to work out your differences.I knew he couldn’t have had anything to do with that nasty business in the papers.As I told Eleanor, it would have been entirely out of character.
You may tell Dupree that I will gladly join him in his suits against those miserable rags.I have a very aggressive solicitor in London and would be happy to take the lead.By the time I’m done, they will rue the day they wasted their ink printing the words ‘Weatherby Wallflowers.’
Do send your sisters a letter when you get a chance.They’re eager to know how you’re getting on with Lady Winnifred and a bit sad about the prospect of spending Christmas without you.A word from you will cheer them immensely, and we would make both you and your mistress feel very welcome at Askwith Hall should she be willing to undertake the journey.
Warmest wishes, &c, &c,
Jasper
Clarissa blinked, realizing that her eyes had grown moist.Because that was the moment she knew her reputation would be restored.Pitiable was the fool who tried to stand between Jasper St.James and his stated goal.Jasper would stop at nothing to clear his wife’s name and that of his new sisters-in-law.
No one would dare to laugh at Clarissa after this.After two years of being society’s favorite object of ridicule, she couldn’t quite wrap her head around it.
Just then, Rupert Dupree strolled into the breakfast room, whistling a tune.
Clarissa shot to her feet so quickly her chair scraped against the hardwood floor.It would have tipped over and fallen had a footman not surged forward to catch it.Rupert turned to stare, seeming to notice in an instant that every eye in the room was on the two of them.
“Mr.Dupree,” she said, brandishing the paper, “might I have a word?”
He sketched a courteous half-bow.“Of course, Miss Weatherby.Lead the way.”
She hurried down the hall and opened the first door she came to.She found a parlor with Wedgewood-blue walls.Happily, the room was deserted.
Rupert’s brows rose when she shut the door behind him, but he said nothing.
Clarissa held out the morning paper.“I suppose you were expecting this.”
He took the paper from her, turning it to face him.His eyes widened as he noticed his name at the top of the front page, but then he squinted.
After a moment, he glanced up.“I didn’t bring my glasses downstairs.Would you mind reading it to me?”
Clarissa took the paper back and began to read.Rupert listened in silence until she reached the part about the damage that had been done to her reputation as a result of the letter.
“Despicable dearth of journalistic standards!”He clapped his hands.“That’s capital.Absolutely capital.Good old Laurie—of course, he would know just how to phrase it.”He cleared his throat.“Sorry.Please, go on.”
Clarissa felt her cheeks flush as she read the next section, about how Rupert held her in the highest regard.Keeping her eyes fixed on the paper, she finished the last section, then looked up.“Did you truly threaten to sue every paper that printed the letter?”
“Well, of course.That’s the only way to stamp it out.It’s a good start to get the papers in London and York to print a retraction.But I’m given to understand that it ran all over.We can’t have the good people of Upton Snodsbury or Barton in the Beans continuing to disparage your name, now can we?”
Clarissa peered at him, wondering if these were real towns, or if he had made them up.“I cannot say I have devoted much thought to the regard in which I am held in Barton in the Beans.”
Rupert pointed a finger.“Well, we’re going to leave no stone unturned and all that.”
She shook herself.“This also arrived this morning,” she said, holding out Jasper’s letter.Recalling that he could not properly see it, she said, “Of course, you do not have your spectacles.But it is a letter from my brother-in-law, the Duke of Norwood, the gist of which is that he is ready and willing to join you in your legal pursuits.”
