Page 5 of Lady in Ruby
Estelle curtseyed while he bowed, but as the two straightened up, they appeared to have nothing to say to each other. Caroline wondered at it, until she saw Estelle’s wide green eyes and rapt expression. She jumped at the chance to say, “Miss Clement is my dearest friend. She lives here with me at Hollydell…well, she will until she marries some lucky gentleman, though she could choose to live by herself. Of course I shall miss her greatly no matter what. You must miss your family very much, Mr Stockan. How did your wife take the news that you would be gone for so long?”
“I have no wife,” he said faintly, still looking at Estelle, who seemed rooted to the floor.
“Ah, how sad,” Caroline said, pleased to hear it. “Well, we hope you enjoy England for the holidays. There’s so much—”
“Halloo!” a baritone voice called from the front walk, causing her to break off. Even as the footman hurried into the foyer, the door swung open and a large figure strolled in, accompanied by a little whirl of snowflakes.
“Mr Foster, sir,” the footman said, grabbing the door handle as if he’d actually done the honors. “The family is in the parlor.”
Caroline, however, got up and walked into the foyer to greet the new arrival. “Mr Foster! I didn’t know you were planning to come today.”
“Thought it a good idea, considering the rumors of a storm coming. Might not get through tomorrow! Don’t you look pretty, my dear girl.” He grinned as he shucked off his greatcoat and hat and let a maid take them away. “Who’s all here?”
Caroline led him into the parlor and introduced him to the new guests, telling him who they were and their connection to the family (though she realized that her father had yet to explain Snowdon’s reason for being there).
“Francis Foster,” he said in a hearty tone as he met Lord Snowdon, though a slightly annoyed expression crossed his face when he noticed Mittens. Caroline wasn’t surprised—Mittens was usually excited to see Francis.
To Mr Stockan, he gave an interested glance. “So you’re in the same sort of puttering as Mr Garland, are you? All the potions and pouring…always sounds like alchemy to me!”
“It’s extremely modern,” Caroline said defensively. “Alchemists attempted to turn base metals into gold. We are attempting to find formulas that will better all mankind!”
“You’re so easy to rile,” Francis said with a chuckle. “You should do whatever you like in life, and if it ends up helping people, so much the better. Haven’t I always said that, Caro?”
“So you have,” she allowed, even as she noticed Lord Snowdon’s eyebrow rise slightly on hearing Francis so casually use her pet name in company.
Well, so what? They’d known each other for years. He was like a brother to her. Indeed, Francis was a firm supporter of her interests, even if he called it “puttering.”
For no discernible reason, the conversation withered at that point. Caroline was feeling awkward about Francis’s bluff manner in contrast to Snowdon’s elegant calm. And then of course Estelle was doing no good at all to propel any talk, being tongue-tied.
“I’d better go see about dinner,” her mother announced, suddenly hurrying from the room. So much for aid from that quarter!
The silence stretched onward, even more awkward than before.
“The thing about squirrels,” Aunt Juniper announced into the void, “is that you can’t trust them.”
“Is that so, Aunt?” Caroline asked weakly.
“I’ve always said they’re up to no good.”
She had never said that, as far as Caroline knew, but she seized on the opportunity to change the subject. “Oh, of course. Very wise, Aunt Juniper. You know, I think it’s time for your afternoon nap. Shall I take you to your room?”
She escorted her aunt out of the parlor, breathing a sigh of relief as she escaped the gazes of the men who remained there.
“Aunt Juniper, I think you sometimes want to cause a fuss. What’s wrong with squirrels?” she asked in a low voice.
“They’re thieves,” her aunt said firmly. “Everyone thinks them cute and charming and harmless, but they’ll nip anything they like at the first chance!”
“I think they’re stocking up for winter.”
“Oh, they’re thieves year-round, my girl. Never forget that.”
“All right, Auntie. After I tuck you in, I’ll just tell Cook to lock up all the chestnuts and walnuts.”
“Chestnuts! Not worried about the chestnuts, girl.” Juniper groaned as she lowered herself into the bed. “But do tell Cook to save me one of those little berry tarts she makes. I want one for later.”
“I’ll do that, Aunt. Enjoy your nap, and we’ll see you at dinner.”
Caroline returned to the parlor, relieved to hear that the men were chatting now. Just before she reentered the room, she heard Francis say, “Where is your family seat, my lord? I confess I’m unfamiliar with your title.”
