“How true, Lord Reckford,” Margery said, smiling at him gratefully, and observing the triumphant look Georgina shot Lord Harry. She did wish, though, that Lord Reckford was not quite so adroit at turning a lady’s head.
Georgina and Harry were still glowering at each other when Thomas, Vivian, and Venetia came into the drawing room with their nurse. They had all five kittens in hand and let them loose upon the room.
Sleeping on the sofa, Fluffy instantly awoke and hissed at the intruders.
They ignored her. As if of one mind, the kittens bounded toward the Christmas tree, eagerly sniffing its branches. Chaos ruled when they progressed to climbing into the tree.
The children laughed and shouted encouragement when one kitten lost his hold and slipped to the floor but immediately scrambled back into the branches.
Fluffy bushed her tail and spat menacingly, but as the kittens paid her no attention, she soon stalked from her domain.
Margery noted that Thyme and the kitten called Sage, who was black with a white triangle on his chest, seemed to make the most progress up the tree.
“Children, if we are to decorate the tree, we must not encourage the kittens to climb it or else they will spoil the ornaments,” Margery said at last.
“She is right,” Thomas said. With the help of Georgina, the children removed the kittens from the tree and played with them on the floor.
After a moment’s hesitation, Margery bent and picked up Thyme. He felt soft and warm in her arms, and she kissed his nose. However conscious the kitten might have been at this token of esteem, the enticements of exploring objects on the floor proved too much for him, and Margery gave in to his struggles and put him down.
“Come, Lady Margery, tell us if you are going to take one of the kittens home with you,” begged Venetia.
“She must take two,” Vivian corrected her sister, “as Mama says cats are happiest in pairs.”
Margery watched the kittens cavorting with a length of rope the footman had used to tie the branches of the tree while transporting it to the house. The antics of the kittens were so adorable, she was sorely tempted. No animal could replace dear Brandy, of course, but cats made excellent companions, and she missed having one around the cottage. However, there was the cost of keeping an animal to be considered. “I do not know yet, Vivian. I am thinking about it.”
“Lady Margery has to be persuaded, children,” Lord Reckford drawled.
“They aren’t any bother, and they give you lots of love,” Venetia said with enthusiasm.
“And they are fun to play with,” Vivian added.
“Cats are excellent mousers,” Thomas reminded her, looking serious.
Laughing, Margery threw up her hands. “I shall think about it, I promise.”
Satisfied, Lord Reckford took pity on her predicament. He addressed the occupants of the room in general: “As I was returning to the house, I noted a frozen pond on the property, not far from the house. The ice is firm and perfect for skating. I plan to find some skates and go down there now. Who wants to go with me?”
A split second of awed silence followed this announcement before all three children began whooping with glee. Their nurse took them upstairs to dress for the outdoors.
“I’m surprised at you, Jordan,” Lord Harry said. “Skating is such a childish pursuit.”
“If that’s true, I imagine you’ll be going, then,” Georgina snapped.
Lord Harry spared her but a brief glance. “Come on, Jordan, let’s find some skates. I’ll send word over to the squire’s,” he said with a sidelong glance at Georgina. “I’ll bet Miss Foweley would like to take a turn on the ice.”
Lord Reckford turned to Margery. “I do hope you will give us the pleasure of your company, Lady Margery.”
“I do not know. It has been a long time since I skated.”
“No matter, once one is on the ice the knowledge returns. I shall be there to help you,” he assured her.
If only he would always be there, Margery thought. What would it be like to have him by her side for the rest of her life? Remembering the way his lordship had kissed her, she decided her marriage bed would not be cold with Lord Reckford in it.
Tarnation, she should not be thinking this way!
But she needed to speak with him about Mr. Lemon, so she accepted his offer and watched him stride from the room with Lord Harry.
“I hope the ice cracks and breaks and that clodpole falls in,” Georgina said, glaring at Lord Harry’s back. “I suppose I’ll go along just in case.”
Margery thought of her feelings for Lord Reckford, and hoped it would not be her heart cracking and breaking.
* * * *
“I sent word to Major Eversley to join us here. We need to decide what our next step with Mr. Lemon should be,” Lord Reckford said.
They sat together on a wooden bench near the edge of the pond. Lord Harry and Georgina were already skating on the ice, pointedly ignoring each other, while Blythe and Keith skated near Vivian and Venetia in case one of the girls took a tumble. Thomas rejected skating in favor of building a fat figure made out of snow.
The skies were gray, threatening more snow by nightfall to add to what was already on the ground. Margery was glad of the warmth of her blue velvet cloak as she turned to face Lord Reckford.
“I shall be happy to meet the major. Also, I have been wishing for a moment to speak with you alone,” she said, putting on her skates. She finished the task and rose a bit unsteadily to her feet.
Lord Reckford stood and pulled her arm through his.
Margery looked down at her small gloved hand on the dark sleeve of his greatcoat. It felt as if it belonged there. Remembering their conversation about her marriage, she decided the viscount had unlocked her heart and soul. With his understanding, he had freed her from the prison of shame and guilt over her marriage, freed her from what had been suffocating her for three years. Now she felt there was an undeniable connection between her and Lord Reckford.
She looked up at him, frightened at the intensity of her emotions, as he led her onto the ice.
But all was light and carefree with his lordship. He was not aware of her inner feelings, and was instead answering her remarks. “Did you say you wanted to be alone with me? I am charmed.” His eyes flashed wickedly.
Margery sighed. She concentrated on not losing her balance on the slippery surface. They skated at a moderate pace around the pond. “Yes, I spoke with my maid, Penny, this morning about Mr. Lemon.”
“What did you learn?”
“She confirmed my suspicions that Mr. Lemon often strikes the servants.”
“The blackguard.”
“Yes, and she said they believe Mr. Lemon has arrangements with the local merchants which benefit himself. She did not know anyone named Duggins, but said she would ask one of the footmen she trusts.”
“Wait,” he said, indicating a horse and rider. “Here is Major Eversley. Let us continue this conversation with him. Oh, and may I compliment you on your skating, Lady Margery?”
Margery realized that, with her arm resting on his, they had glided around two complete circuits of the pond without her stumbling or even hesitating.
“Thank you, my lord.”
He assisted her off the ice, and they began making their way to where Major Eversley had dismounted.
To the left of where the major waited, Margery saw an open carriage pull up. The carriage was decorated with green velvet bows, and contained Sabrina Foweley and her mother. Mrs. Foweley had brought her four pug dogs along for the outing.
Margery barely managed to suppress a chuckle at the sight of the four pop-eyed dogs dressed in matching red sweaters with green scarves tied about their necks.
She did laugh when her gaze met Lord Reckford’s, and he shook his head and chuckled.
Lord Harry skated off the ice to meet Miss Foweley. He helped the beauty to the same wooden bench Margery and Lord Reckford had recently vacated so that she might put on her skat
es. The two appeared to be on the best of terms, much to the disgust of Georgina Norwood, who joined her aunt Blythe and the children.
Margery and the viscount reached the major, and Lord Reckford performed the introductions. “Lady Margery shares our misgivings about Mr. Lemon, Major.”
The major raised a bushy gray eyebrow. He was dressed in a tobacco-brown greatcoat, and Margery thought him the sort of gentleman a lady might not immediately find attractive, but whose bearing and intellect would soon change her mind.
Lord Reckford relayed the story of how he and Lady Margery had met in Mr. Lemon’s office the previous night when both had had the same desire to learn more about the house steward. Lord Reckford explained what they had found in the ledgers, how large Mr. Lemon’s cash box was, how cheap the horse feed was, and the number of wax candle stubs the man had stashed away.
The major listened intently until they were done. “Well, now, the two of you have gathered a good bit of information. But we need more. Lady Margery, you say you can recognize this Duggins person if you see him again?”
Margery nodded. “I can.”
“Excellent. For it is imperative that we learn who he is and what he and Mr. Lemon are doing.”
“My maid is trying to find out through one of the footmen.”
The major frowned. “You did not take her into your confidence, did you?”
“No, sir. I believe she thinks I am merely curious.”
The major nodded. “Good. I don’t want to involve anyone else in this.”
“My feelings exactly, sir,” Lord Reckford said. “I am not even comfortable with Lady Margery having anything to do with it.”
The major’s sharp gaze studied first Lord Reckford, then Lady Margery. A satisfied expression spread across his face, but he covered it quickly.
Margery cast them both a look of outrage. “Well, you will both have to get used to the idea. I am, after all, the one who can identify Duggins, so you need me. Furthermore, you will not be able to leave me out of this. I am determined to get to the bottom of what is going on and, if possible, see Mr. Lemon leave Altham House. He is a bully besides being a cheat.”
The two gentleman looked as though they had more to say on the subject but were interrupted by Blythe. “Major Eversley! How delighted I am to see you. Why have you not come to call on us?”
“Blythe, you are looking as beautiful as ever,” the major told her, bowing over her hand. “I have missed seeing you and your family. How many hearts have the girls stolen in my absence? And how goes Thomas? Still with his nose in a book?”
They all walked over to where Thomas was building his snow figure. Before Keith and the girls descended on them, Margery heard the major whisper an aside to Lord Reckford, indicating he should take care of her. She felt her cheeks warm in the cold air when Lord Reckford’s gaze rested on her as he gave the major his assurances.
Lord Harry skated backward across the pond in an effort to impress Miss Foweley.
Mrs. Foweley bustled her dogs back into their carriage lest they become wet and chilled.
The others took a break from skating to help Thomas with his snow figure. Vivian and Venetia insisted on building their own snow creature, and Georgina went to help them, refusing to watch Lord Harry’s antics.
The sound of jingle bells heralded the arrival of a beautiful sleigh, pulled by two farmhorses. Bedecking the sleigh were ropes of greenery and ribbon... and Lady Altham and Lily Carruthers.
Margery saw the major’s lips press together.
“Jordan,” Lily trilled, “I shall never forgive you for leaving me behind when you must know I adore skating.”
Lord Reckford walked to the side of the sleigh and helped her alight. “I beg your pardon, Mrs. Carruthers. I assure you I was crestfallen when I sent word up to your room, only to have your maid tell me you were still asleep.”
Lily’s musical laughter rang out. “Oh, you should have awakened me, my lord.”
The words were innocent enough, but Margery caught the suggestive way the woman looked out from under her lashes at Lord Reckford. The action caused a stab of pure resentment in Margery’s breast. Her own abilities at flirting were practically nonexistent.
To further depress her, Margery noted the fine style of the bronze-colored velvet pelisse and matching bonnet that framed the lady’s face. Margery loved her own blue velvet cloak, but it did not serve to set off her figure the way Mrs. Carruthers’s pelisse, made tight to fit her form, did.
Margery had to prevent herself from stamping her foot when, rather than merely accepting his proffered hand, the bewitching Mrs. Carruthers seemed to float down into Lord Reckford’s waiting arms. She was already wearing her skates, and the couple headed for the ice.
Meanwhile, Lady Altham had perceived Major Eversley’s presence. He lifted his beaver hat to her. “Gussie, it’s dashed good to see you again. You are looking... radiant.”
Lady Altham tucked a brassy curl underneath her purple high-crowned bonnet. Purple wool swathed her stocky body. “Thank you, Ernest. I daresay you would not have been able to keep up with me lately, what with my trip to London and my busy schedule, and now that my house is filled with guests for the holiday.”
Blythe smiled at the major. “Indeed it has been too long since we have seen you, sir. You must remain with us today and stay for dinner.”
Major Eversley looked to Lady Altham for approval of this plan. “Shall I, Gussie?”
“Of course you may,” she told him, but in such a way that he was left in no doubt that the matter held little interest for her. “Is that Mildred over there with her dogs? I shall step over to speak to her.”
The major looked downcast. He helped Lady Altham from the vehicle, then watched her as she walked away. Blythe slipped her arm in his. “I am glad you are going to spend some time with us, Major. The children will be happy as well.” She led him away to Thomas.
“I have had enough skating for one day, Lady Margery,” Georgina said at her side. Margery nodded her agreement, and they went to sit on the wooden bench to remove their skates.
Margery could not prevent herself from glancing at Lord Reckford and Lily Carruthers sailing over the ice, arms linked, laughing together.
Georgina said, “I suppose it’s because of Oliver Westerville that Grandmama does not hold Major Eversley in the high esteem she once did. I think she’s wrong about him. There’s something I cannot like about Mr. Westerville.”
Margery brought her attention back to Georgina. “He is more cultured than Major Eversley, dear, and perhaps that attribute has captured Lady Altham’s regard.”
“I suppose. Until this past autumn, we all thought Grandmama was going to marry Major Eversley. Then they quarreled over something, and it’s not been the same since.”
Margery suddenly remembered what Lord Reckford had told her the night before about Lady Altham and Major Eversley disagreeing over Mr. Lemon. “Perhaps they will soon settle their differences, Georgina.”
“I hope so.” The younger lady gazed out over the ice and wrinkled her nose. “Just look at that nodcock,” she said, indicating with a motion of her head where Lord Harry was trying to perform intricate turns on the ice. “He’ll do himself an injury.”
The words were no sooner out of her mouth when several things happened at once.
Lord Harry, skating very fast, lost his balance. He fell heavily onto his side and began sliding across the pond in a prone position.
As he passed Lord Reckford and Lily Carruthers, one of his skates nicked hers, causing her to stumble and fall on her backside. However, she immediately clasped her ankle, crying out in pain. Lord Reckford bent to help her.
Still sliding, Lord Harry tried to stop himself by grabbing a handhold on the ice and digging the toes of his skates into the ice. He succeeded just when he reached the edge of the pond, but not before his head made sharp contact with a large rock.
Miss Foweley promptly fainted.
“Harry!” Georgina s
creamed, flying across the pond to kneel at his side.
Seeing Lord Reckford administering to Mrs. Carruthers, and the major rushing to Miss Foweley’s aid, Margery made her way to Lord Harry. The accident had left him dizzy and disoriented.
“Harry,” Georgina cried, cradling the young peer’s head in her lap. Already a bruise was forming on his forehead. “Harry, are you all right? Please be all right.”
Along moment passed before he opened his eyes. “Georgie? Is that you? Devil take it, I’m seeing two of you. I can barely put up with the one.”
Miss Georgina Norwood burst into tears, all the while laughing and calling him an idiot.
Margery smiled, relief flooding through her. She scooped up a handful of snow and pressed it into Lord Harry’s hand. “Here, hold this to your forehead. It looks as if the injury has started to swell.”
Margery left him in Georgina’s hands to see how Miss Foweley fared. Joined by Keith, Blythe, and the children, she watched as Major Eversley lifted the young girl into her mother’s carriage. For once concerned with her daughter’s safety above the comfort of her dogs, Mrs. Foweley commanded the animals to sit in the backseat, which they did, all lined up like canine soldiers. The major gently placed the still-swooning young miss in the front seat.
Margery found a rug folded on the vehicle’s floor and handed it to the major. He placed it over the girl, who soon awoke, much to everyone’s relief.
“You are welcome to bring Sabrina up to Altham House, Mildred,” Lady Altham said, hovering beside the vehicle.
“No, thank you, Augusta, it is not far to home, and I think Sabrina will be more comfortable in her own bed,” Mrs. Foweley said, nodding and giving her servant the order for home.
When the carriage pulled away, Lady Altham turned to Major Eversley. “Thank goodness you were here, Ernest. You picked that girl up like she weighed no more than a tea cake. I’m grateful for your help.”
The major looked into her eyes. “Have I not always been here for you, Gussie?”
Lady Altham trained her gaze on the ground.
Margery turned away to give the couple a moment alone. She started to walk toward Blythe and her family when she saw Lord Reckford carrying Lily Carruthers. The lady had her arms wrapped around his lordship’s neck, her head resting on his shoulder, while she snuggled close to him.
How the Rogue Stole Christmas Page 14