Forever by Holt Cheryl

Author:Holt, Cheryl
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: BookBaby
Published: 2017-11-14T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Jasper promenaded up the grand stairs at Middlebury Manor with Camilla on his arm.

She’d outdone herself, had dressed like a queen or perhaps a famous actress. Her gown was sewn from a shiny green fabric, with black piping and lace as highlights. Her magnificent green bonnet had black lace and piping too. A dramatic feather trailed behind.

She looked glamorous and striking and precisely the sort of beauty an important personage such as himself would keep as a companion.

He peered at the front doors, expecting the butler to yank them open, but Jasper’s arrival hadn’t been noticed. To his consternation, there didn’t seem to be many servants in residence. From the time they’d turned up the lane, the place had appeared almost deserted.

No one had rushed up to tend their carriage or help them out. There were no men toiling away out in the fields, no horses running in the pasture. Not that he had many horses left. He’d had to sell most of them to square some gambling debts. He didn’t worry about his other bills, but a gambling debt! Well! A gentleman had to have some standards.

They strolled into the foyer on their own, with still no butler in sight. There were traveling trunks stacked on the floor—as if someone was moving out.

Flummoxed, he stood, assessing his surroundings. The staff’s lack of attention was infuriating, and the minute he was back in town, he would send a livid letter to Des, informing her to control the servants or else!

Footsteps sounded down the hall, and he glared over to find Helen walking toward them. To his stunned surprise, her scandalous father was with her.

“Hello, Cousin Jasper,” she said, “I just heard that you’d pulled in. I’m sorry I wasn’t here to welcome you.”

“Where are the footmen today?” he snapped. “There was no one to meet my coach or to greet me properly. Honestly, Helen, Des was kind enough to give you the position of housekeeper, but I haven’t witnessed any sign that you’re up to the job.”

At the mild scolding, she simply smiled. “Yes, I am awful at managing things. I admit it.”

“You admit it?”

“Yes.” She gestured to Simon Barnes. “You remember my father, don’t you?”

“Of course I do, and I can only ask why he’s strutting about like a peacock. I can’t imagine how you would suppose such a notorious fellow should be in my home.”

“Hello, to you too, Jasper,” the defrocked preacher cheekily said. “You always were a horse’s ass, so I won’t pretend it’s a pleasure. But I guess it hardly matters now.”

Jasper huffed with offense. “Get out, you impertinent devil!”

Simon merely chuckled, then he spoke to Helen. “I’ll see you at supper—if not before.”

Then he sauntered off as if Jasper hadn’t just ordered him to depart.

“Simon!” Jasper called.

The man glanced over his shoulder. “Yes, Jasper? What is it?”

“Weren’t you listening? You are to vacate the premises. I won’t tolerate your presence another second.”

Simon continued on without a response, and Jasper was astounded. He’d never been treated so shabbily.

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