Silver Bells

by Heather Boyd

  Ah, she’d scandalized her family. He did remember hearing something about that but could not recall the finer details. “Most fathers react badly to scandals, I’ve noticed.”

  Ruby nodded. “I didn’t care then because I had Liam. I went to live with my husband’s family, but it soon became apparent they didn’t care to have an Englishwoman in the family. Before I fled Scotland, Mr. Roper had decided I must marry a man I didn’t know very well. He intended to keep Pip with him, so I had no choice but to run away from home. I took the mail coach, and then a series of carriages to reach The Vynes. I’ve asked for my uncle’s protection.”

  A journey of weeks, perhaps, and costly, too. “I had assumed you hadn’t any money. How did you pay for it all?”

  “My mother-in-law had some money set aside. She gave it to me, and in return, extracted a promise to have Pip educated and to send him back when he’d reached his majority.” Ruby glanced at the window. “Pip is the only family they have, too. I intend to honor that promise to Eliza Roper no matter what.”

  An unexpectedly kind gesture to a family that didn’t want her. He admired her for taking steps to keep her son, and to avoid an unappealing marriage. Yet matrimonial peril not withstanding, her flight from Scotland would have been an anxious one for other reasons. “Do you fear Mr. Roper is in pursuit of you?”

  She nodded. “I had had the good fortune to fall in love, but I ran off to be married without my parents’ blessing. They did not approve of Liam. I was married over an anvil. I fear they will make me give up my son to Mr. Roper, and they might not protect me after the scandal I must have caused. That’s why I came to my uncle first.”

  “Most likely, Vyne will write to your father and inform him of your location. Your father could bring Mr. Roper here, too.”

  “I’m sure they will come eventually.” She chewed her lips. “I watch the drive all the time, in fear of losing Pip.”

  Having spent time with Ruby and Pip, he wouldn’t want to see them separated, either. Male children were considered family property, though. That was the law. Women had few rights when it came to their offspring. Yet it felt wrong to allow any separation of Pip from his mother. Ruby would need a wealthy man to protect her. Lord Vyne was wealthy but not exactly the charitable sort. There had to be more to the story. “Why do you stay?”

  “My uncle is still deciding how he can help me.”

  Most likely, Vyne was stalling. If it were up to Hector, he’d have spirited Ruby away to a distant abode and suggested she live a quiet life and for them to never use their real names again. “If Vyne refuses to help you, I will be only too happy to deliver you to your cousins in Cornwall or beyond.”

  “I’m sure that it will not be necessary, but thank you. My uncle has promised his assistance, but under a condition.”

  “How like him. What was his condition?”

  “I am to marry a man of my uncle’s choosing.”

  “Not you, too,” Hector exclaimed in annoyance. “That is too high a price to pay for anyone.”

  “It is customary. Families arrange marriages for their daughters all the time. Don’t say it isn’t true. I need the protection of a marriage, my lord. Lord Vyne, no matter what he promises for Pip, will not live forever. I need someone with the power and funds for a bribe if necessary, to persuade Mr. Roper to leave Pip in my care.”

  Hector frowned, disliking the plan. Vyne should easily be able to support and hide, if necessary, two family members. Hector could do it without requiring Ruby to marry anyone. “I’ve heard Lord Vyne is expecting another guest to arrive soon. When did you make this deal with him?”

  “The night I arrived. Do you think it could be the man he wishes me to marry?”

  “It couldn’t be. I arrived before you and I knew about the other guest coming that afternoon.”

  “Well, then it will be someone else he picks.”

  Someone Hector was sure not to like if they were closely acquainted with Lord Vyne. Surely Ruby didn’t want to go along with all of this. “Are you sure you want to marry again? Like this?”

  “No, of course I don’t, but I have no choice.” Ruby looked at him for a long moment. “I won’t be parted from my son for any reason. I must do as my uncle wishes if Pip is to have the future he deserves.”

  “Well then,” he murmured.

  “Well then,” she replied, her smile strained. “More tea?”

  It really wasn’t his place to tell Ruby what to do even if she was making a huge mistake trusting her uncle. “Hmm, I suppose that will do for now.”

  Chapter 10

  Ruby lifted her gaze to the view. The storm had passed during the night, leaving them with a blindingly white world. They would go outside today, see some of the estate at last. Hector had promised to be their guide. He had insisted on escorting them everywhere after her confession about a likely pursuit, claiming he didn’t want them to become lost on the estate.

  Ruby wasn’t sure his company was in her best interests, but she felt safer with Hector around than without. He clearly hadn’t approved of her plan to remarry to protect Pip, but he’d wisely kept his lips shut ever since voicing his initial objections. Pip seemed to enjoy his company immensely, too, and she was glad that Hector spared the boy some time.

  When she saw the dark shape of a carriage approaching the manor through the swirling snow, her first thought wasn’t about danger from Mr. Roper but the likely loss of her time alone with Hector. Eventually, though, she couldn’t pretend she didn’t see the distant carriage, and she pressed her hand to the cold glass to peer out.

  “There’s a carriage,” she called finally.

  Hector was suddenly at her back, looking out the window with her. “Do you recognize it?”

  “No. Do you?”

  “It’s a wealthy man’s carriage.”

  “Then it is not my father-in-law, unless he went to my father first, and together they’ve divined our location.”

  “It’s too far away to tell still who it might be.”

  Hector’s fingers stole around her waist, a light touch that made her turn. She was very nearly in his arms then—close but so far away. She thought of his offer for a second kiss and wet her lips in anticipation.

  He smiled gently. “It will be all right, Ruby. I’ll be right by your side, no matter who comes. I won’t let them tear apart your family.”

  “Thank you,” she whispered, feeling the frustration of her situation and regret. If not for her promise to her uncle, she might have taken that second kiss, and then perhaps a third, too, with no thought to the consequences.

  Hector stepped aside.

  Ruby immediately went to check her son, hiding her flaming cheeks. Pip could amuse himself while she was away for a little while greeting the newcomers. She had to know who was arriving. She needed to see who her uncle had chosen for her to wed—if that is who it was approaching.

  Hector’s footsteps sounded behind her. “Are you ready?”

  “Yes, I’ll just need my scarf.” When she had it, she turned back to find Lord Stockwick helping her boy into his coat. “What are you doing?”

  “Taking him with us.”

  “That’s not a good idea.” Pip was supposed to stay out of sight. “Lord Vyne might not like it.”

  “To hell with what he wants. If that’s who you fear it might be, I’m not letting your boy out of our sight. Come on. There’s no time like the present to confront your would-be oppressors,” he announced.

  “Oh,” she said, chasing after him and Pip as they reached the door. “I hadn’t wanted to put him in the middle of any argument.”

  Hector paused as he considered her words. “Then I will ask my valet to watch over him while we are gone. I’m sure he’d be only too happy to play with a few toys instead of pressing my cravats.”

  “That’s very kind of you but not necessary,” she promised.

  “It is entirely prudent. You’ll only worry otherwise.” He jerked his head toward the door. “Come al
ong, young Pip. I want you to meet my valet.”

  Her boy ran to Hector, a tiny toy horse clutched to his chest. Pip tugged on Hector’s hand to make him look down. “Do you have a real horse?”

  “Indeed I do. His name is Scout, but I’m afraid I had to leave him in London in his warm stable.”

  “My papa had a gray horse to pull his wagon.”

  “A wagon, you say,” Hector repeated, and then smiled.

  Ruby looked away. She hadn’t married a wealthy man, and by the time of his death, they’d lived a much simpler life than she’d ever imagined living. But Pip didn’t know he should hide their lack of wealth and importance yet. She was grateful that Hector had accepted her tale and not chided her for following her heart, like her family had done.

  Hector and Pip went down along the halls together, talking of horses and carriages. They stopped at a far door, and Hector spoke briefly to a man inside. The valet appeared and agreed to return Pip to the upstairs parlor to play.

  She winced. “I won’t be very long. Pip shouldn’t need anything but watching.”

  “If it’s all right with you, I’ll ask for cake and milk to be sent up for the boy. Boys are always hungry. Take your time.”

  Hector took her arm. “Let’s get us downstairs quickly. Dear God, The Vynes has always been a damn drafty place, and it seems worse this year.”

  “So you come here every year?”

  “No. But I was here last year, and again a few years before that.”

  “I haven’t been here since…

  “Not since you lost your silver bell, I suppose. I wonder if we could find it this year.”

  She sighed.

  “I do regret I tormented you as a boy. Moving the bell about the room when your back was turned wasn’t very nice of me.”

  “You were sometimes very annoying,” she murmured.

  He shook his head. “I probably wanted to make you notice me, chase me so that I could steal a second kiss.”

  She shook her head. “A scoundrel at just twelve years of age.”

  “Hmm, I probably was—and still am, depending on who you talk to,” he admitted.

  When she looked at Hector now, she saw a glimpse of that young boy but not much of the scoundrel he claimed to be. “But who else but you could have taken it from me?”

  “I don’t know. The last time I saw it, it was as I said then—beside your cot in the nursery, right before we all trooped downstairs to see our parents. The nursery was thoroughly searched for it the next day. The housekeeper made us all line up outside in our nightclothes. The servants quarters were thoroughly checked, too, I suspect.”

  “I asked the housekeeper when I arrived if it has ever been found, and she said not.”

  “I fear it is lost for good then, or it was taken by someone rather devious.” He stopped her. “Have you been holding a grudge against me all this time?”

  She blushed. “It was important to me. A keepsake from my paternal grandfather.”

  “I knew that then, too.” He nodded and started moving again. “We could have been looking for it about the house these past few days. Put the matter to rest once and for all, eh?”

  “I couldn’t have troubled you,” she said quickly.

  “Nonsense. You know, I think I will be staying for Christmas after all. A scavenger hunt will be just the thing to keep us all warm.”

  “I can’t ask you to change your plans for me.”

  He smiled quickly. “I wouldn’t have changed my plans if I hadn’t wanted to. Besides, I think Pip could do with the diversion of my company, and you, too.”

  “You might be right.” Ruby blushed a little at Hector’s kindness. He was staying for her, to protect her and Pip so they could stay together. If she had to marry anyone, Ruby wished it could be someone as gallant as him.

  She had done a little snooping already for her lost item, but it might be a great help to have another set of hands to move a piece of furniture quietly, and Hector did seem quite strong. More muscular than her, at least, and taller. There were several high places quite beyond her reach in the library. “Lord Vyne might not like us poking about the house without his permission.”

  “Then I guess we’d better make sure he doesn’t find out,” Hector whispered.

  They reached the front hall and heard the voices of men. Ruby hung back when Hector suddenly started to tiptoe to the library door, making no sound. He carefully peeked around the doorframe to look into the library—and then jerked back, shuffling a few yards in her direction. “Bloody hell,” he muttered softly as he caught her elbow.

  “What is it?”

  “Samuel Blackwood is here.”

  “Who?” she whispered.

  Hector ran a hand over his mouth and muttered, “A man you don’t want ever to cross.”

  Judging by Hector’s furtive behavior, he had.

  And he was afraid of the man, too. Was he dangerous as well? Ruby wasn’t keen to meet anyone who could make a grown man shrink in fear.

  Ruby pulled at Hector by his sleeve, drawing him away from the library door and into the doorway of an empty reception room. “Go back upstairs. Quickly.”

  Hector shook his head. “There’s no use delaying the meeting. He’ll find out I’m here easily enough. Vyne will mention my name, of course.”

  That didn’t sound good for Hector’s sake. “What are you going to do?”

  Hector tugged down his waistcoat. “Meet him and hope he doesn’t plant me a facer.”

  Ruby frowned. “Why would he do that?”

  “I kissed his sister.”

  “I thought you owed him money.” Ruby rolled her eyes. “So you are a scoundrel.”

  “Well, she kissed me back,” he exclaimed. “There was mistletoe!”

  “Does that excuse all your indiscretions?”

  “Especially those committed during the holidays.” Hector grinned and held out his arm to Ruby. “Shall we introduce ourselves to Lord Vyne’s important guest together, m’dear?”

  Ruby considered taking it, but if there were punches to be thrown, she’d rather not be attached to Hector’s side. However, if a lady were present, perhaps cooler heads would prevail. She pulled her shawl tighter about her shoulders. “I think we have no choice but to meet him together.”

  Hector leaned closer. “I never would have thought Vyne acquainted with the likes of Blackwood. He’s hardly the sort to frequent country houses in the dead of winter unless there was something in it for him.”

  “I wonder what it could be?”

  “No earthly idea, but I wonder if Lord Vyne owes the man, and Blackwood is here to collect an overdue payment.”

  “I suppose that might be it.”

  Hector drew close. “I guess our lovely afternoons upstairs, snug together, will have to wait until Blackwood departs.”

  Ruby frowned. Had he really enjoyed their company so much? “You’ve become a great favorite with Pip. He’ll be disappointed.”

  “He’s a clever boy, and his mother, too, has been a delightful companion.” Hector teased his fingers up her arm. “I am glad we had a chance to meet again, Ruby. If not for Blackwood’s arrival, you and I could have had a great deal more fun together this holiday.”

  “Fun?”

  “Indeed.” He smiled down at her as they walked along. “Don’t deny you’re not still thinking about our kiss, and my offer of a second.”

  A second kiss probably should never happen. She was starting to like Hector a bit too much as it was.

  They reached the door side by side, and Ruby immediately saw her uncle and a dark-haired stranger seated before the fire. Mr. Blackwood’s face, when he turned in her direction, appeared hard. Ruby glanced at her uncle for guidance, and he smiled warmly at her.

  Ruby edged a little closer to Hector.

  Chapter 11

  Samuel Blackwood was a man of similar age to Hector, but taller and broader in the chest, and with fists that had bruised any number of scoundrel’s faces. He ow
ned a notorious gambling hell in London, which is where Hector had first encountered the man.

  Meeting and kissing the man’s sister had been a grave mistake on Hector’s part. He’d had no idea who she was when they’d tangled tongues in Drury Lane Theatre. The last fellow who’d pursued the fetching Molly Blackwood with amorous intent was still taking all his meals in liquid form.

  The only thing to Hector’s advantage was that it had been only one kiss—well, two, since she’d kissed him back—and after learning her identity, Hector had never sought out Molly Blackwood again. He’d also given up gambling at Blackwood’s establishment to avoid antagonizing the man.

  But there was a chance that Molly Blackwood might have told her big brother all about him.

  Well, he’d better get it over with and face his punishment like a man.

  He strolled into the library with Ruby close by his side, hoping for the best. “Good morning,” he called to both occupants of the room.

  Ruby curtsied and murmured the same.

  He noted that Lord Vyne did not rise to greet them, which seemed rude. “Ah, I was just about to send for you, Niece,” Lord Vyne said to her. “Lord Stockwick.”

  “My lord.” He bowed and then looked at Blackwood. “Sir. It’s good to see you again.”

  Blackwood frowned. “I don’t believe we are acquainted.”

  Hector was taken aback. “Lord Hector Stockwick.”

  Blackwood’s face showed no recognition whatsoever. “A pleasure to meet you, my lord,” he said.

  Hector nodded. Could it be true that Blackwood did not recognize him? Was it also possible that Molly had not shared their encounter as well? “So, what brings you to Derbyshire?”

  Blackwood smiled quickly and glanced at Ruby, a question in his eyes.

  Lord Vyne smiled, too. “Ah, yes. Mrs. Roper, this is a very good friend of mine, Mr. Samuel Blackwood. Ruby is my brother’s eldest daughter, and a widow. She has recently come to stay at The Vynes.”