The Fugitive Heiress by Amanda Scott

Author:Amanda Scott [Scott, Amanda]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Published: 2013-07-21T16:00:00+00:00

XI

THE NEXT FEW DAYS the entire household was flung into a flurry of last-minute preparation for the countess’s ball, giving Catheryn little opportunity for private reflection. Dambroke, declaring the confusion a damned nuisance, removed himself promptly after breakfast each morning, returning only to change clothes for the evening. Catheryn scarcely noticed his absence except to be grateful for it on Teddy’s behalf. That young man, the picture of innocence at breakfast, would take himself off to the Elman schoolroom only to return later bursting with pent-up mischief. The telltale tray having been discovered the morning after the Heathcote ball, an approving staff quickly dubbed Catheryn Master Teddy’s champion and brought their complaints directly to her. By turn amused and exasperated, she did her best to cope.

Called to the kitchen by a tearful maidservant, she spent an uncomfortable half-hour trying to placate an irate Jean-Pierre. That was followed by an equally unsuccessful attempt to convince a twinklingly unrepentant Teddy that the exchange of salt for sugar was not a matter to be taken lightly by one so puffed up in his own esteem as her ladyship’s French chef. Next, she discovered, to her dismay, that the boy seemed to think that the proper way to dispose of dead rats was to put them in the beds of innocent maidservants. Mr. Ashley caught him red-handed at that revolting prank and promised to deal with the situation, but his methods must not have had much of an effect, for it was little more than an hour later that an agitated Paulson sent for Catheryn.

“I’m sure I didn’t know what to do, miss,” he said in an undertone as he guided her rapidly to the front saloon and pushed open the door. In front of the cold fireplace stood Captain Varling, his normally curly locks hanging straight and wet into his face and his blue superfine coat dripping water to the hearthstones. Catheryn stifled a grin and hurried forward.

“That wretched boy!” she exclaimed. “How did he manage this? For I’m sure that somehow he is responsible.”

“He’s responsible, all right,” growled the captain. “As to the how of it, it’s a simple child’s trick. He made a pouch of brown waxed paper, filled it with water, and launched it from an appropriately placed window.”

“Oh, just wait till I get my hands on him!”

“I’d enjoy a private moment or two with him myself.”

“I believe it, sir.” The clock on the mantlepiece caught her eye. “Good heavens! It’s after five. Dambroke will be home at any moment!”

“I look forward to seeing him,” Varling declared. “We were supposed to be dining together.”

“Oh, no! You mustn’t tell him. It will only widen the breach between them. Teddy is high-spirited and needs Dambroke’s attention, but not this way. This prank would earn him a thrashing for sure. Please, sir, you can’t really wish for that.”

“I suppose not,” he admitted with a rueful grin. “I’ve done it myself more than once and so perhaps have come by my just deserts. But I cannot dine with Dickon in this state.

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