Page 12 of Lady in Ruby
“You call it whatever you want, girl. Now, what took you out of the house so early? That’s not like you.”
Caroline explained about making the snowman and its subsequent vanishing. She even mentioned her momentary fancy that Snowdon’s arrival was linked to it in some mystical way. She decided that a woman who railed against the ethics of squirrels wouldn’t have any particular issue with snowmen coming to life.
“Mittens wouldn’t tolerate anyone made of ice,” Juniper declared. “He seemed quite content using the gentleman for a bed yesterday, and that means he’s warm, which means he’s as human as the rest of us.”
It was sound logic, and Caroline nodded.
“As for where the actual snowman got to, that is a mystery,” Juniper went on. “What we are looking for is a culprit with evil in their heart, and that means you must proceed carefully. In fact, you’d better leave it to me.”
“You?” she asked, surprised. After all, Aunt Juniper scarcely left the house.
“Yes. You’ve got more important things to worry about. Such as changing out of your boots and getting a proper day dress on before your mother sees you. Now scoot!”
“Very well.” Caroline went to the door, then turned. “I love you, Aunt Juniper.”
“I know. I love you too, my pet.”
Chapter 6
Breakfast went well, in the sense that no one remarked on Caroline’s early-morning walk, or demanded to know why she’d been alone with Snowdon. The gentleman himself was the soul of discretion, greeting her near the coffeepot as if he hadn’t spent an hour with her previously.
Her hunger sharpened by activity, Caroline enjoyed a liberal helping of the ham, the eggs, the sausage, and the whipped potatoes, not to mention a few slices of Cook’s cinnamon bread, toasted by the fire until butter dripped into the flames, causing them to flare up.
She then huddled with Estelle by the window, discussing in low tones all that she’d learned.
“But where would it go?” Estelle repeated several times with a perplexed expression. “Who steals a snowman?”
By midmorning, the heavy clouds started to drop plush white flakes upon the world, and that meant most of the guests remained indoors until the snow stopped and the paths could be cleared. Caroline spent a few hours in the laboratory with her father, running numerous tests on the latest version of the formula to measure its strength and potency.
At last, her father said, “You ought to take a rest, darling. You’re young and shouldn’t be cooped up here all day. Your mother would expect you to spend time with our guests as well.”
“But I’m more useful here. We are very close, aren’t we?”
“Indeed! However, I can manage on my own for a bit. This last round will be just waiting until I can measure the temperature of all the solutions. Do run along.”
“Very well, Papa.” Caroline tidied up her part of the work surface and then swung her cloak around her shoulders before going outside.
On the snowy path, she stopped in surprise. Francis stood there, looking up at the roof of the small outbuilding that served as the laboratory (her mother drew the line at having “those concoctions” in the main house).
Caroline said cheerfully, “Francis, you braved the snow after all. I thought you said you might stay at home today. Did you want to speak to Papa? He’s quite busy with an experiment now, but he’ll come to the house for lunch.”
“Hmm, experimenting? Making people drink all manner of potions, I expect.”
“Don’t be absurd. He doesn’t use people to test,” she reminded him. “He uses pigs.”
“Is that why the sideboard is always so well supplied with bacon?” Francis said with a laugh.
Caroline cringed slightly at the joke. “Francis, please.”
“Only kidding you, Caro. No, I don’t want to talk to him. I want to talk to you. Let’s take a little stroll.”
She thought he meant a stroll around the gardens, which was something they did quite often when he visited. Even in winter, the paths were cleared so that the family could enjoy a brisk walk past the snow-bedecked shrubs and bare trees, which were beautiful in their own way. Francis had offered his arm, which Caroline felt was a little formal compared to their usual pattern, when they simply walked side by side. But perhaps he was concerned about her slipping on hidden ice.
“I’m glad we’ve got a chance to be alone,” he said once they’d passed the garden closest to the house.
“Papa did tell me I ought to enjoy the day more. He’s worried I spend too much time in the lab. But not half so much as he does!”
“You are a lucky girl,” he said. “Your father indulges your hobbies, and your mother gives you her finest rubies. I’m sure all the other ladies in the shire are jealous, especially of the jewels.”
