Jackal (Regency Refuge 2) (4 page)

Ah. He'd wanted Eudora to have security. "You loved Fitz very much."

Her adoration of her uncle was clear to see, spectacles or no. "He was a wonderful man. I wish we could have done more for him at the end."

Rupert kept his voice gentle, coaxing. "How so?"

"I think he was ill. His face became quite red at times, and he complained of his skin, saying it itched constantly, but if he scratched, then it would burn. Uncle Fitz's discomfort was obvious."

Filing that information away for future consideration, Rupert changed the subject. "So, if you were five, Eleanor must have been…?"

"She was four, Juliana sixteen. Uncle's wife had been deceased for several years already, and it was only him and Cousin William. Juliana didn't want to leave us there in a strange home with no mother in residence, so she stayed with us. Having a season was never mentioned again. I don't know if that was Uncle Fitz's choice or Juliana's, and I was too young then to care. She's been caring for us ever since."

"Juliana is quite a bit older than you and Eleanor. She doesn't look like the two of you, either."

Eudora's gaze sharpened, and her tone grew accusatory. "What does that matter?"

Taking note of the sudden change in her, Rupert's eyebrows rose the slightest degree while his interest climbed exponentially. "I wouldn't imagine it matters at all. Curiosity often leads me down odd little paths."

Guilt flashed across the girl's face before she stared down at the hands resting in her lap.

Rupert waited until Eudora lifted her eyes to him again. "I might be able to see you, but I haven't figured out yet whether or not you have a hooked nose." Then she stood and gave him a polite, "Good day," before exiting the room.

After wiping his mouth, Rupert set his napkin next to his plate. He sat for a moment, staring at the creases in the cloth, before he rose to seek out Mr. and Mrs. Pembroke for a word.

Chapter Six

Rupert saw to his errands in town and happily secluded himself in the study upon his return to the castle. He knew Juliana would seek him out once she was ready to speak to him. Sending for her wouldn't serve any purpose, so he took the time to make sure the ledgers were in order. At one point, Castle Felton had lacked a steward, and that period of neglect had done nothing to help the accounts or nearby village. If he was going to leave this land, whether for a season or permanently, he wanted to leave everything in order so the new steward Thomas hired would find whatever information he needed with all due haste.

Lost in thought, he didn't hear the knock at his door a short time later. It wasn't until Juliana cleared her throat that his attention was drawn from the ledgers. Pleasure warmed him at the sight of her. Though pulled up in a chignon, her russet hair didn't seem to relish the captivity. Cascading ringlets gave her a youthful look, while her grey eyes held mystery.

"Ah, please do come in."

Juliana stepped across the threshold and sat in a chair opposite the desk. Rupert had intended to sit with her near the fire but decided to let her have her way.

He watched as she situated her skirts. She hesitated before meeting his gaze, and he saw wariness and would have wagered the excessive fussing with her apparel had been her attempt to get her emotions under control. Her eyes which had before made him think of a cloudy sky now metamorphosed into steel as she watched him, forcing him to be the first to speak.

"I have a question," he finally said.

"I have several of my own, but pray tell, do go first."

"Do you and your sisters share the same parents?"

She stiffened, but the question begged asking.

"My mother passed away when I was but a child. Father remarried, and eventually our family grew by two more."

Rupert stroked his chin. "Were you and your step-mother close?"

Juliana's features softened, and a faraway look came into her eyes. "She was good to me."

"I wasn't aware of any Clairmonts in the family tree. Are the girls related to Uncle Fitz through their mother?"

She nodded. "I was no relation to Uncle Fitz, but he allowed me to stay on with my sisters. He was kindness itself."

"Is it because you weren't a blood relative that he never sponsored a season for you?"

Juliana's eyes widened, and her mouth snapped closed long enough to make it clear he'd offended her. At last she spoke, her tone haughty. "Of course he offered me a season. Eudora, however, was still having nightmares, and Eleanor clung to me during her every waking moment. I couldn't leave them. They were my family, and I wouldn't have been able to live with myself if I'd abandoned them."

"You may have found a husband who would have let you bring the girls into your new home."

An eyebrow arched high on her forehead. "Are you so far removed from the
ton
that you think such things are normal?"

She was prickly, and Rupert was positive her rough exterior housed a loyal and loving heart. Juliana, however, didn't seem to trust him enough to let him in on the secret of what she was protecting her sisters from at the moment. "So you gave up your dreams of marriage and a family of your own to care for your sisters and to see them brought up well."

A delicate smile danced across her features. "Indeed, I
have
a family of my own. They arrived with me in a carriage only yesterday."

"Touché."

"Will you tell me then, Cousin Rupert, what you are doing here in Northumberland working as a steward? We were all under the impression you were in shipping or exports or some such thing."

He steepled his hands on the desk, not to be deterred. "You wish me to give your sisters a season, correct?"

Juliana nodded. "I think it's the best solution. If we could leave for London posthaste, all the better."

"It doesn't seem to you they – Eleanor especially – may be too young for marriage?"

"We have no options here. You can't support us, and we have no one else to whom we can turn."

"There is other family, more distantly related than I, but they do exist. I could see about getting you settled with one of them."

She shook her head, every flying ringlet shouting her vehemence. "That won't do. They must be wed at once."

"Your demand seems unreasonable."

Juliana jumped from her chair and fisted her hands. "You accuse me of being unreasonable? What next? Hysterical? Apoplectic? Well, best you get my sisters wed to respectable men, then, so you can be rid of the lot of us."

She made no move to leave the room, and Rupert had to respect her pluck. He stood, shunning the use of his cane, and stepped around the desk. Once stopped in front of her, he spoke. "I've sent notice to the Duke of Sheffield, informing him that I shall need to leave my post here at Castle Felton. In addition, I've contacted a friend and asked him to look into the ledgers of Chakal Manor so we can make certain the solicitor is doing everything according to the law. The exact date is not yet set, but you and your family should be prepared to leave for London in a fortnight. We'll have to take the carriage you arrived in, as I have no conveyance here that will fit the entire party."

Gratitude flared to life in her eyes, but she closed it away so quickly he wondered if he'd seen it at all.

"I'm afraid our carriage won't seat five."

"I know."

"Will you ride then, Cousin?"

Rupert wished he could get her to drop the familial title. She was no blood relation to him, and somehow the name
Cousin
on her lips sounded as appealing as uncooked haggis. "I'll bring a horse but shall likely spend part of each day riding with the driver."

"Because of your leg?"

Looking down, it dawned on him that he'd been unconsciously rubbing at the ache in his thigh.

"How did you get hurt? Was it a riding accident? Or…" Juliana's voice broke. "Was it the war?"

"Nothing so glamorous or honorable, I'm afraid. This leg is the result of a bit of youthful foolishness."

"I'm sorry it pains you."

Rupert smiled at her. "I've gotten used to it over the years. I don't pay it much heed anymore."

Her gaze dropped pointedly until he realized she was staring at his hand… where he was again massaging the ache.

His cravat suddenly felt too tight. "Like I said, I notice it so little I'm not even aware of any discomfort."

"I suppose I'll let you get away with saying so, though your actions prove otherwise."

The trace of humor in her voice made him want to keep her there longer, keep her talking.

"Tell me, Juliana, are you ever going to trust me enough to let me in on the secret of what you and your sisters are fleeing from?"

A pall fell over the room. The teasing glint that had lightened her eyes a moment ago was gone, hidden behind shutters locked tight. He'd known better than to say that. Something about her had him speaking without thought. Juliana Clairmont was far more dangerous than she realized.

She left, not deigning to offer a response. Rupert tried to convince himself it was because she felt as off-balance by his presence as he felt by hers. He'd expected a sharp rebuttal, or at least a colorful insult. Instead, silence, stiff shoulders, and swishing skirts had been his answer.

Though not as entrancing as her eyes, he found that her silent reply gave him a view he rather enjoyed.

Chapter Seven

January 2, 1817

A week went by, and the calendar turned to mark a new year with little fuss at Castle Felton. Rupert found himself reflecting on the meal that Mrs. Pembroke had prepared to commemorate the event. She had made each of the girls' favorite foods. The youngest two had enjoyed the dishes but took no special notice of it. Mrs. Burnham, of course, had glared at him the entire time they ate. It was a wonder she'd gotten any food into her mouth so rarely had she glanced at her plate or utensils. Juliana, though more covert, had turned speculative eyes on him as each new course had been introduced.

Rupert stood at a window and watched Juliana and her sisters. They'd all said they needed a bit of fresh air and had gone outside despite the bite of the northern wind. In the distance, he could see a rider approaching the castle at a fast clip. While they didn't often have visitors at Castle Felton, it certainly wasn't unheard of. The girls' reaction, though, was. All three ran as soon as they heard the horse. From his vantage point, he saw them crouch behind shrubbery. Typical of a mother hen, Juliana gathered the girls close and put her arms around them.

Hmm.

The rider, of course, was Tommy, the Tompkins' eldest son. "Good." His words echoed in the castle's emptiness before he veered toward the stairs. Mrs. Pembroke met him in the foyer. Before she could speak, he told her, "Fix a tray with something warm and hearty for Mr. Tompkins, and please send him on through to the study."

She nodded without a word and returned to the kitchen where the young man was no doubt already warming himself by the fire.

The village of Felton wasn't a bustling metropolis with deliverymen and couriers standing on every corner waiting for work. Upon realizing his need to quickly get word to London, he'd visited the vicar to ask for a recommendation. Vicar Renner had suggested two names, one of which belonged to young Mr. Tompkins. The senior Mr. Tomkins had gone missing in a snowstorm the winter before and was presumed dead.

Tommy was now the head of the house, and the responsibility to provide for his family fell to him. It was a weighty burden to shoulder, and no one could fault Tommy for doing his best and working hard. Nonetheless, he and his family were in dire straits.

Worried the boy might agree to do anything out of desperation Rupert had been reluctant to send him on such an urgent mission. When Tommy had met Rupert in front of their humble home with a firm handshake and a clear steady gaze, though, the steward had been pleased to give Tommy the credit he deserved. He'd commissioned him to ride straight through to London and deliver two letters, paying him half his fee up-front with the promise of the remainder upon his return.

Having been directed there by Mrs. Pembroke, Tommy walked into the study and gave a slight bow of deference to Rupert. "I did as y' asked and have letters for y' to read as well."

Indicating a chair, Rupert told Tommy to sit down. Mrs. Pembroke followed the boy in while carrying a tray stocked with cheese, bread, and a steaming pot of tea. Rupert nodded his thanks to the housekeeper and turned to Tommy. "Let me see the letters you've brought back. In the meantime, enjoy something to eat and drink while you warm yourself by the fire."

"Yes'r." Tommy handed two envelopes to Rupert and reached for the food before the steward could take his seat behind the imposing desk.

Opening the first envelope, Rupert began reading.

Rupert,

An earl! Hearty congratulations and happy tidings! My staff used to think you were an exotic prince from the east. I'm not saying anything to anyone at present, but I'm sure they'll all be delighted to learn of your change in circumstance at such a time as it's made public.

It seems imperative that you travel to London at once. Feel free to make use of the estate at Sheffield along the way if you've a need. I do believe we have room for you and your newly acquired gaggle of feminine relatives here at the townhome as well. In addition, please accept…

Rupert let out a low whistle. Tommy was too engrossed in his food to notice it. The duke had named an exorbitant sum.

…Withdraw the funds from the castle's account and use whatever you need. If you find things are not as they seem and you come into a windfall of cash along with your title, you're welcome to repay me. Otherwise, I'll just think of it as my alms for the year. Indeed, you've done plenty for me in kind, even if it hasn't been with money.

I shall begin to search for a new steward. If it works out, I'd like you to meet with him to explain the running of Castle Felton and give him a bit of direction before I send him off into the untamed north. Too bad advertisements can't screen for character as much as for qualifications.