The words were barely out of his mouth before Letty was on her back by her sister, making her own angel.
“Colin,” called Rose with a laugh. “Do you not think we should have a male angel?”
“I did not know angels had genders.”
“What’s a gender?” asked Letty.
“That’s something Miss Conway can explain to you one day,” said Colin.
Ava lifted her head to wrinkle her nose at him before falling back again. At least he assumed that was what she’d done. It was hard to see with the scarf wrapped around her face. “I believe, Lord Ridgeway, that it would be a good deal better to have four angels, rather than three.”
“Feel free to make another if you insist, Miss Conway.”
“But I believe this calls for a lordly touch. An earl angel, as it were.”
“Yes, it does!” exclaimed Rose. “How clever of you, Miss Conway, to express the need so succinctly. Will you help us out, dear brother? Or are you not as hardy as Miss Conway, Letty and I?”
“Is my male honor being assailed?” he asked.
“Most assuredly.”
“Well, I cannot allow that to stand.”
Which was how Colin Emerson, Lord Ridgeway, found himself lying in the snow, flapping arms and legs like a fish out of water. If fish had limbs. He was too cold to even think of a good metaphor. However, there was one advantage to the endeavor. It gave him an opportunity to touch Ava’s hand in passing. Though his frozen arse would say it was not nearly consolation enough.
After sufficient flailing, Rose stood, helping Letty do so, as well. Colin did the honors for Ava, holding onto her hand much longer than he should have. Though both wore gloves, he could feel the heat from her hand as well as if they’d touched bare skin to bare skin.
He was interrupted in his musings by a joyous Letty, who innocently came between him and Miss Conway, taking their hands.
“This is the best Christmas ever,” she said. “Colin has come home, we live in a new house and have a new friend, as well.”
“Do you like your new home?” he asked her.
“Very much. Now my bedroom is much closer to yours and Rose’s. And we’re rid of Miss Patton.”
“It sounds like that was a long time in coming,” said Colin. “I am sorry I chose so poorly when I selected your last governess.”
“You did much better this time,” she said with a smile for Ava.
Ava squeezed her hand. “I hope you still think so when I have you doing maths and geography and composition.”
“As long as we don’t spend all our time on needlework,” said Letty.
“I confess I have as little desire for that as you or your sister.”
That made Letty laugh, then she and Ava continued to talk about future lessons. Rose held Letty’s other hand as Colin once again hefted the cursed wheelbarrow. He watched Ava and his sisters from behind. All three were laughing and enjoying themselves. His sisters had taken to Ava quickly. Almost as quickly as he had.
For a moment Colin allowed himself to wonder what it would be like if he didn’t have to marry for money. If he could simply find a woman he wanted to spend the rest of his life with, without regard to her fortune or how they would all live.
Rose’s smart thinking had saved the estate a great deal of money. He’d gone over the books the night before and at least now they did not owe their servants back wages – save the three he’d brought with him, of course. Colin even had enough for taxes on the estate.
However, there were still the substantial debts their father had incurred. Not to mention Rose deserved a Season, which would not happen without outside assistance. At this rate, he might not even have enough money saved for Letty to have one several years from now. He could not let them suffer.
It was a lovely dream to think of following his heart into marriage.
But only a dream.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Victor Stemple’s life had taken an extraordinary turn in the past few days. But in some ways, he was worse off now than he had been before.
That wasn’t fair, he chided himself. His life had changed immeasurably for the better since he’d become Lord Ridgeway’s valet. They’d shared bachelor quarters in London that his lordship had called cramped, but were more luxurious than anywhere Stemple had stayed in years. It was indoors for one thing. And it had come with the incredible luxury of sharing the books Lord Ridgeway took out from the subscription library.
Before taking the position, Stemple’s ability to find work had been erratic at best. His scars had scared off even some of the lowliest employers in the stews. So, it had been a challenge to find enough work to ensure he could eat and obtain shelter. Whenever possible, he’d tried to send money home – though the only jobs that paid him that well tended to involve illegal acts.
The only part of his position with Lord Ridgeway he hadn’t liked had been the errands he’d run, often to areas like Bond Street and Mayfair. He’d long ago grown used to the stares of others and the children he frightened. But he didn’t like to think he might taint his lordship by association. Of course, Lord Ridgeway had laughed off that concern. He truly did not seem to care what others thought of him.
When Lord Ridgeway had first decided to leave London after his unsuccessful bid to find a rich wife, he’d told Stemple he would be unable to take him along. He’d understood Ridgeway’s position. The man did not want to become indebted to anyone. But Stemple would gladly work for Ridgeway for free if it meant having the chance to continue in his employ.
He knew he’d been responsible for them being kicked off the mail coach and he’d felt terrible because of it. He hadn’t liked seeing his employer humble himself before that ass Clayton. But two miracles had occurred during their brief stay at the viscount’s home. The first was that Lord Ridgeway had found the woman he would eventually marry. Despite the fact that Miss Conway was definitely not an heiress, only a fool would not recognize that she and his lordship were made for each other. Of course, currently, both of them appeared to be fools.
The other miracle had been making the acquaintance of Maude Anderson. He knew there was no hope of romance. Maude was beautiful inside and out and could have her choice of husbands. She would not choose a man with his scars. No woman would.
But she was his friend. And he had very few of those. In some ways, he and his lordship were friends, as well. But Stemple and Maude were from the same class. They had experienced the harsher side of life. One that his lordship could never quite comprehend, though his life wasn’t easy compared to some toffs.
Stemple and Maude had stayed up talking that night at Clayton’s. At first, he’d spoken very little of himself, he’d simply listened. Maude had grown up in a small village where she’d worked in the kitchen of a local tavern. But once the owner married, his wife didn’t want her working there. He could well imagine the woman wouldn’t want to be compared to Maude.
Her parents already had more than enough mouths to feed so she’d set out to find employment. Unlike him she hadn’t made it all the way to London, but she’d been placed at Clayton’s parents’ country estate, where she’d been dodging wandering hands for two years. It made his blood boil to think she’d been so mistreated. He would like to address the issue with Clayton and his pals. For if there was one thing Stemple had taken away from the war – aside from his scars – it was a familiarity with violence. Normally, he did everything in his power to avoid it. But it angered him to think of anyone hurting Maude.
The two of them were walking to the village, which was a mile away.
“Did you sleep well, Victor?” she asked.
“I did, Maude,” he lied. For his room was just down the hall from hers and he’d lain awake thinking of that very fact. He would never cross the hall to see her – it would devastate him to have her reject him. But he’d certainly thought about it.
“I’ve never had such a nice room in my life,” said Maude. “And I don’t even have to share it. It’s the first
time that’s ever happened. His lordship is very generous. He’s a good one, the master, isn’t he?”
“The very best of men. Do you think you will like working there?”
“I cannot see how I wouldn’t. I know it will be a great deal of work with no one to help me, but I won’t have to worry about being cuffed by the cook – since I am the cook. Nor would I ever do such a thing if I ever get an assistant.”
“Were you struck at Clayton’s?” Stemple could not keep the tension out of his voice.
“Only by the cook when she was very drunk. Though the other girls could be nasty as well. They’d pull your hair if they thought you had your eye on a footman they liked.”
Stemple’s heart fell. “And did you? Have your eye on a particular footman?”
Maude laughed. “Lud, no. My mother and father raised me better than that. No good can come from a courtship like that. It’s more likely you’ll ruin your reputation and be sacked without a character. And I worked much too hard for that.”
“But would you like to marry one day?”
She thought about that for a moment and Stemple wondered why he was pouring salt on his own wounds. Just the thought of her married to someone else was painful. He had to make sure he was gone from the estate before that happened.
“I haven’t given it much thought. Too busy working, I guess. I suppose most girls think about finding a good man and having a babe or two. But you need to find the right man. And he has to have a way of supporting a family. ‘Twould do no good to have three mouths to feed and no means to do it. That’s why I feel sorry for his lordship, despite his being an earl and all. He wouldn’t just have a wife to support, but two sisters and that big estate to run, as well. It’s too bad because I think him and Ava would rub along quite nicely together, don’t you agree?”
“I do not talk about his lordship’s private life,” said Stemple kindly.
“Oh, you can unbend with me,” said Maude as she playfully touched his arm. “I won’t repeat it. I never was one for gossip, not to mention there’s no one to repeat it to. But don’t you think Ava would make an excellent countess?”
“I do. Miss Conway seems to be a remarkable woman.”
“She is at that. She’s the first friend I ever had in the gentry, but she’s really nice in spite of it. I want her and the earl to be happy. With each other, if that’s possible. I think all good people should have the chance to be with their true love and be happy. Don’t you agree?”
“I do, Maude. I do.”
They continued their journey in companionable silence.
“Do you think about getting married, Victor?” she asked quietly. “Did you have a sweetheart in London?”
Victor froze, thinking she was making a jest at his expense. But it didn’t seem like something Maude would do, so he stole a look at her and could detect nothing but genuine curiosity. How could she even ask the question? Was it not obvious?
“No, Maude, I didn’t have a sweetheart in London.”
“I imagine his lordship would hate for you to get married and leave him. And I know how most great houses don’t let their servants marry.”
“I have no idea whether Lord Ridgeway allows his servants to marry. But that wasn’t the reason I did not have a sweetheart, of course.”
“What do you mean, ‘of course?’”
Stemple turned to her again but still could not detect anything other than genuine curiosity. “My scars, Maude. Most people cannot bear to look at them. I cannot imagine a wife wanting to sleep next to them.”
“Then you don’t know the right type of women. Your wife will be lucky indeed and care naught about the scars. Mark my words.”
“How can you be so sure?”
“You’re not planning to marry a ninny, are you?”
“I wasn’t planning on marrying anyone. But I cannot imagine I would marry a ninny, no.”
“Lots of women would fancy you, I’m just sure of it.” Then as if she’d said too much, she changed the subject to what she hoped to purchase in the village and how they would make a Christmas dinner worthy of Lord Ridgeway and his family.
Stemple did not say much, other than to agree with her choices when she asked his opinion. He was too caught up in the earlier discussion. She thought women would fancy him? Could she ever fancy him or was she simply being polite? He didn’t know what to think, other than he began to wonder whether or not Lord Ridgeway allowed his servants to marry.
*
The dower house was truly beginning to look like Christmas. Ava, Rose and Letty had been working for hours to decorate in time for their Christmas Eve dinner. They’d dusted and removed the Holland covers throughout the first floor in order to make the house their home.
There was not a great deal of furniture. Ava suspected some of it had been sold to pay bills. The little which did remain was of high quality, though the fabrics were threadbare and some of the wood was in need of restoration. But she could see that this had once been an elegant retreat. The Persian carpet was exquisitely made. The mantel was of the finest marble. The library was well-stocked, though Rose had remarked that it paled in comparison to the selection in the manor house.
It was obvious that Rose wanted to make this a comfortable home for everyone. And Ava very much wanted to help her. The Emerson family deserved it.
“What do you think, Miss Conway?” Rose stepped back from the fireplace mantel, where she’d rearranged a bough for perhaps the twentieth time.
Ava stood next to her and studied her work. “I believe Carlton House does not have such magnificent greenery.”
“And I believe you are only flattering me to keep me from adjusting it yet again,” laughed Rose.
“Perhaps. But I do believe the house looks magnificent.”
As Letty ran after their cat Jasper, who seemed rather determined to avoid having a ribbon placed around his neck, Ava and Rose readied the dining room for dinner.
“I admire the way you took charge of the situation these past few weeks,” said Ava. “It must have been hard for you to move into this house all alone. You looked out for your sister quite well.”
Rose blushed. “I just took the logical course of action when the opportunity presented itself. My brothers have tried to shelter me, but I am almost nineteen. I know the dire situation my family is in financially and am determined to do my part. After all, Colin shouldn’t be the only one to make sacrifices.”
“I believe your brother would do whatever is necessary to take care of you and Letty and the others. He loves you very much.”
“He is an excellent brother. We may be poor in money – though I know it is vulgar to speak of such things – but we are rich in family. Do you have brothers and sisters, Miss Conway?”
“No, I am an only child.”
Rose reached out to squeeze her hand. “I am terribly sorry to hear that. I don’t think any of us could have survived without each other. My family is rather unconventional, but we love each other very much. Though the brothers would never admit to such a thing.”
“Do you have many friends in the area?”
“More acquaintances than actual friends. When one has handsome older brothers, there are always plenty of ladies who visit, especially when two of them are earls. Oh, dear.” Rose looked up from placing goblets on the table. “That was most indiscreet of me. Did Colin explain to you the, uh, entire circumstances of our family?”
“He did. It must be lovely to have brothers who are so connected, despite the delicate nature of the relationship.”
Rose laughed. “Oh, Miss Conway, I do appreciate how tactful you are. I am afraid I can be a bit too outspoken. Perhaps, I need a governess after all. But to answer your earlier question, I have several female acquaintances in the county who would like nothing more than to be my sister-in-law, though, admittedly, that number has dwindled a bit now that the extent of our financial predicament is better known.”
“I cannot imagine many ladies turning away fro
m Lord Ridgeway, despite his lack of funds,” said Ava.
“Oh, really?” asked Rose with a smile.
“I only mean that your brother is quite amiable,” said Ava quickly. “But tell me, is there no one else in the county with whom you are friends?”
Rose did not answer for so long that Ava began to think the girl hadn’t heard her. Finally, Rose spoke.
“There is Lord Grayson, the heir to the Duke of Bancroft. His family lives in the castle on the hill. It’s not like Grayson and I are friends now. But he was friends with Colin and James, and I used to see him often when I was a girl.” She became inordinately diverted by lining up the goblets along the table.
“And now?” asked Ava.
“Now, I only occasionally catch a glimpse of him when he’s home – which isn’t often. I cannot say we are truly friends.” She hesitated as if she would say more.
“But?”
“You are too perceptive by half, Miss Conway. But at least I know Grayson likes me for me and not as a way of getting to my brothers. I mean, not that he likes me. He liked me. When I was a girl. I do not know what he thinks of me now.”
Ava waited to see if more would be forthcoming. Rose was a lovely young woman and Ava had a feeling the girl had lost her heart to this Lord Grayson fellow. She only hoped he was worthy of her.
They continued setting the table.
As he’d been doing once every quarter hour since returning from his shoot, Stemple approached them.
“Please allow me to do that, ladies.”
“Absolutely not, Stemple. Miss Conway and I are enjoying ourselves, and you and Maude are doing more than enough in the kitchen.”
“I stand ready to do whatever I can to assist you.”
“If you insist on helping, I suppose you could assist Letty in tying the ribbon around Jasper’s neck.”
Stemple paled. “Is there anything other than that I can do for you? I do not believe Master Jasper likes me very much.”
“Jasper doesn’t like anyone very much, Stemple. But since he reserves most of his animosity for mice, we let him be. You may return to your Maude.”
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