Emily and the Dark Angel by Jo Beverley

Author:Jo Beverley
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Penguin Group USA, Inc.
Published: 2010-08-31T16:00:00+00:00

When he cantered along towards Hume House at nearly midday the next day, Verderan was feeling at peace with the world. The night at the club had shown him that his taste for the wilder adventures of the younger set was definitely gone and unlamented. It had also, he hoped, shown that his temper was now under control. If he could endure five heated minutes with Osbaldeston without a fight perhaps he was going to settle down to being a quiet, sober gentleman. That would be a nine days’ wonder.

The weather, in fact, was not conducive to these mellow thoughts. The rain had stopped, but the sky was grey and heavy and everything was either dripping or soggy. It hardly mattered.

Verderan was merely bothered by the question of how soon he could see Emily Grantwich again, how she would react, and how soon it would be reasonable to ask her to marry him. A few weeks at least.

He rode Beelzebub round to the stables and entered the house through a side door. He was somewhat surprised to hear voices from the library. He wondered who his guests were and what they were making of Kevin Renfrew.

He opened the door and found Chart, Harry, and Cornwallis playing cards and drinking claret, all very much at home. Renfrew was nowhere to be seen.

He raised a brow.

“Hello, Ver,” said Chart cheerfully. “Rotten weather. Made a dash over here last night. Corny’s roof leaks.”

That young man expressed deepest apologies.

“Not at all,” said Verderan. “Does this roof not leak? It hasn’t been tried since I moved in, and it would be the only part of the house in good repair.”

“Not in my room,” said Chart blithely.

“Hope you don’t mind,” said Harry, just a little ill at ease. “Thing is, it’s closer to here than to Melton or Oakham, and no guarantee there’d be a vacancy there this time of year. We brought the man that looks after Corny’s place and Chart has Quincy with him, so we’re helping out.”

Verderan wondered what three new guests and two new staff were doing to Mrs. Greely, but couldn’t shake his mellow feeling. “I’m glad of the company,” he said, and found he meant it. “This is a gloomy house. Where’s Renfrew?”

“Don’t know,” said Harry. “He came down when we arrived about midnight—wearing the most amazing yellow satin thing—fixed up rooms for us, then went back to bed. Haven’t seen him since. Strange fellow.”

“Always was,” said Chart. “Harmless enough, though.”

Verderan told them to make themselves at home, which seemed superfluous, and went to check out the situation. To his surprise he found Mrs. Greely in high gig with two new servants to command, though he noticed she was careful in her handling of Quincy, Chart’s superior but accommodating valet. He wondered if the woman might not have been soured by simple boredom after years serving the misanthropic Casper Sillitoe.

At least his own man, Ludlow, should now have a crony below-stairs.

He arranged with Mrs. Greely for extra supplies to be brought in, and when she told him “young Mr.

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