Never Kiss a Laird

by Byrnes, Tess

  “Furious,” Rupert shook his head. “You know, I could pick her up with one hand, but I am still terrified of the old harridan.”

  “Terrified?” his intrepid sister scoffed. “What could she do to you?”

  “I hate to think!” Rupert shuddered. “Anyway, she sent me off to ask at all the posting houses, to see if anyone remembered you hiring a horse, or changing teams. You must have planned well, Sallie, because I did ask at the nearer ones, and no one remembered you.”

  “Miles hired a conveyance close to Denham Park, under another name. He returned it and then rode Beauty back. I do believe we are untraceable. Pretty well for a first flight, wouldn’t you say?” she asked boastfully.

  Rupert sneered in a brotherly fashion. “I suppose Miles thought of all the details. Anyway, I told Grandmother that I could be away for a week or more, if I caught word of you, and I came straight here to see how you are doing.”

  Sally leaned across the small sofa and embraced her brother. “I am so glad to see you, Rupert. We are doing very well, though.”

  At that moment, Bridget came down the stairs, and as she entered the sitting room came to an abrupt stop.

  “Oh, I am so sorry, Miss. I never knew that you had company,” she stuttered at the sight of Rupert in all his finery lounging on the sofa.

  “Do come in, Bridget,” Sally stood and took the young maid’s hand. “Rupert, may I make you known to Bridget? She is staying with us for a while. Bridget, this is my brother, the Honourable Rupert Denham.”

  As Bridget bobbed a shy curtsey, Sally suddenly spun around and looked at her brother. “I have just had the most brilliant idea!”

  “Now, Sally,” Rupert said suspiciously. “Your ideas are never brilliant and usually land me in the soup.”

  A laugh escaped Sally, but she said soothingly, “No, no, nothing bad can possibly happen with this idea. Bridget, go help Millie bring the tea while I talk to my brother.”

  Bridget scampered away, and Sally turned to Rupert. “You are going to call on the Laird, Rupert, dear. What could be more natural, than to pay a visit while you are in the neighborhood?”

  “What could be more natural?” Rupert exclaimed, appalled. “No, Sally! I do not even know the Earl of Kane, if that is who you mean by the Laird. I believe him to be a miserable old crony of Grandmama’s. What possible excuse could I give for calling on him? I won’t do it!”

  “But Rupert, you don’t understand,” Sally cajoled. “We must get into the Castle somehow, to leave a message for Bridget’s beau.”

  Rupert looked at his sister as if she were mad. Seeing this, Sally chuckled. “I see I must explain it all to you. Until a few days ago Bridget was a maid up at the Castle. The Earl turned her off when she fell in love with the carrier’s boy, and I found her with nowhere to go and not a penny in her pocket. So I brought her here, and now we need to find the carrier’s lad, so she can marry him.”

  “Very charitable of you, I’m sure.” Rupert shook his head decisively. “But I do not see why I must call on the Earl of Kane, even so. I’ll have no part in it, Sally.”

  “But Bridget cannot write, and nor can Robbie, so I have no way to tell him that she is in trouble and that he must come to her. We must get into the Castle and leave a message with one of the maids to send Robbie here when he comes with the next delivery.”

  Rupert paled further. “You want me to just drop in on a man I’ve never met before, and then go find one of his housemaids to arrange a tryst with some carrier’s lad?” He gave an outraged snort. “And nothing bad can possibly happen, you say?”

  The absurdity of the situation hit her, and Sally started to laugh. “I’m sure you can do it, Rupert,” she chuckled. “It just needs a certain amount of finesse.”

  “When have you ever known me to have finesse?’ Rupert asked, a reluctant smile on his face. “Give over, Sally. What’s this really about?”

  Sally sobered, and looked at Rupert. “Bridget is just like me, Rupert. She was turned away from her home by an unjust and autocratic male, because she was judged to have transgressed. I refuse to let them win, Rupert. So I am determined to find her carrier’s lad, and reunite them.”

  “Are you sure that is what Bridget wants?”

  “Oh yes,” Sally assured him, reluctant to tell him about the baby. “And here is Millie with our tea. Millie, my brother is here in the guise of providence, to solve our difficulties. He can call on the Laird for us, and get a message to one of the maids for Robbie.”

  Millie, seeing the indecision on Rupert’s face, jumped in quickly. “Oh, Master Rupert. I knew we could depend on you. We are so grateful, indeed and so will our Bridget be. Here we were, not knowing what to do. It’s like a miracle, really.”

  For a moment Sally thought that Millie had overdone it, but she saw her brother wavering.

  Rupert, under the worshipful gaze of Millie, and the determined one of his sister, accepted a cup of tea weakly. “Tell me what you want me to do.”

  Chapter Nine

  The Earl’s very correct butler entered the library, carefully balancing a silver salver on one hand, upon which reposed a stack of mail and a bone-handled letter opener. His master sat before the fire, his eyes upon the dancing flames, but from the far away look in his eyes, the Earl’s mind was clearly far from the warm, cozy library. The fingers of one hand were brushing his lips slowly, an odd smile on his face, and when Carr cleared his throat to get his attention, Hugh started, his cheeks darkening, and he shot to his feet.

  “What on earth are you doing, Carr?” Hugh snapped. “Creeping up on me, like that!”

  Carr’s face became stonier than ever. “I apologize if I have offended your lordship,” he intoned in a voice carefully devoid of all expression. “The carpet in this room is very thick, sir.”

  Hugh’s face broke into a rueful smile. He accepted the stack of mail that Carr presented to him, and met his affronted butler’s eyes.

  “As you say, Carr.” Hugh agreed. “Very thick.” He shuffled through the stack of letters, setting aside two that he knew would need to be discussed with his estate agent. He stopped when he came to one that was addressed in spidery handwriting.

  “That will be enough, Carr. Thank you,” he said distractedly, turning the letter over, and slitting it open neatly with the opener.

  His butler, now feeling entirely snubbed, left the room with dragging steps. He reached the door and turned back. Hugh was usually an exemplary employer, and on the rare occasions when he made such an unfair accusation as he had just done, Carr was always most gracious in accepting his apology. However, Hugh had spread open a sheet of tightly crossed paper and was perusing it, his butler’s feelings forgotten.

  The letter, from Lady Waverly, began with an appellation that he had never heard upon his godmother’s lips.

  My Dear Hugh,

  The most annoying circumstance has occurred since your visit. I had been anticipating the arrival of my grand-daughter, as I had informed you. When her carriage arrived here, however, she was not in it. Lest you think she had met with an accident, let me inform you that the chit left a letter pinned to the seat, informing me, if you please, that she had left the protection of her family, preferring to make her own way in the world rather than accept its censure. Have you ever heard of such outstanding cheek? I am outraged, and am determined to find the wicked girl, and bring her to an understanding of her position. Her mother has disavowed any desire to have her restored to them, but I will not see her get away that easily.

  I write to ask you to assist me in making discrete inquiries into the whereabouts of my granddaughter. If you hear anything of a Miss Sarah Denham, I insist that you inform me immediately.

  I shall expect to see you at Waverly immediately if you uncover anything that can help me regain the dreadful girl.

  Lady Waverly.

  Hugh read this letter through, and then read it a second time. It would seem that Lady Waverly’s granddaughter was a girl of some spirit. He
knew a moment’s concern, and hoped that the girl’s flight would not lead her into danger.

  A discrete tap sounded, and Carr appeared at the door once more, interrupting his lordship’s thoughts. The butler stood for a moment, an offended look on his face.

  “Well?” Hugh asked, impatiently.

  “Your lordship has a visitor,” Carr stated impassively, staring at a point about twelve inches over Hugh’s head. ‘I have put him in the morning room, sir.” He held out the same silver salver, upon which lay a paste visiting card.

  Hugh strode quickly to his butler, and snatched up the card. “The Honourable Rupert Denham. What a coincidence,” he murmured. “The morning room, did you say, Carr?” Hugh turned the visiting card over between his fingers, and arrested look on his face as a suspicion started to take root in his mind. When he got to the door of the morning room he paused, slipping the little paste card into his pocket, and, assuming his usual urbane, disinterested expression, entered the room.

  A tall, handsome youth, his gold hair brushed into a fashionably disarrayed style, turned from where he stood by the window, and when he saw the Earl, his open countenance registered surprise. His fair complexion, blue eyes, and something in the cast of his features was very familiar appearing to the Earl, who strode forward, his hand held out.

  “How do you do?” Hugh smiled, his hunch confirmed in the strong family resemblance he perceived on Rupert’s handsome face.

  “How do you do, your lordship,” Rupert stuttered, grasping Hugh’s hand. He had been cursing his sister for putting him into the uncomfortable position of visiting a man he had never met. At the sight of the Earl, who was more than forty years younger than Rupert had expected, he started to plot a hideous revenge against his sister. He thought he might have had a hope of putting one over on an old man, after all he was pretty good at handling Papa. But this man, only a few years older than himself, looked like someone who would be hard to fool.

  “It is very kind of you to visit me,” the Earl stepped into what was becoming an uncomfortable silence. “I believe I know your grandmother, Lady Waverly.”

  “Good god,” Rupert blurted out. “Uh, I mean, do you indeed?” He reached up with one hand and tugged at his neck cloth, which felt all of a sudden as if it was strangling him.

  Hugh grinned, now convinced that he knew the true identity of his red-haired beauty. The Denham siblings seemed to share an inability to lie plausibly. Taking pity, he indicated a chair, and as Rupert sank gratefully onto the sofa, Hugh said, “Yes, Lady Waverly is my godmother.”

  Rupert looked at him with a sympathetic smile. “Tough luck, old man. I’ll admit she terrifies me.” He shuddered eloquently.

  “She is certainly sharp-tongued,” the Earl commiserated. “She terrified me, too, when I was a lad. Whenever I visit her I have to remind myself that she no longer has any hold over me. She can’t actually do anything to one, you know.”

  Rupert looked up, amazed. “That’s exactly what Sally said,” he marveled.

  “Who is Sally,” the Earl questioned, suddenly intent.

  “My younger sister. She refuses to be afraid of our grandmother.”

  “Good girl,” Hugh said approvingly. “I perceive that she is a girl after my own heart. But you have not told me how I can be of assistance to you.”

  Rupert looked miserable. “Uh, I was travelling in the area, and thought to visit an old crony of my father’s. You cannot be a friend of my father, the Viscount of Denham?”

  “No. I think you must mean my father,” the Earl said. “I am sorry to tell you that he passed away last year.”

  “Oh, I say,” Rupert said with quick sympathy. “I am sorry, my lord.”

  ‘Thank you. And please call me Hugh. I admit to being curious about whom you are visiting in Scotland at this time of year. I believe I know all the families nearby. Where are you staying?”

  If possible, Rupert’s face became even more despondent. Sally had not prepared him to be questioned. He had intended to spend a polite fifteen minutes with the old Earl talking about his father and grandmother, and then find a way to speak to one of the housemaids. He tried valiantly, however. “I had been visiting Lady Waverly, at the request of my mother. Just thought to see a bit of the country before heading back to London.”

  “Will your sister be joining you in London?” Hugh asked off-handedly.

  “No,” Rupert replied, off guard. “She was to make her come-out this year, but my mother has cancelled it after a spot of bother. Poor Sally, she was supposed to make her debut last year, but our grandmother died, so it was put off to this year. And now this. Sally is completely blameless, mind you,” he added quickly, in defense of his beloved sister. “She was caught up in a situation that made her appear to have done something that she did not do.” He stopped, feeling that he was getting off track and confusing the issue. Marshalling his thoughts, he continued, “That’s one of the reasons I decided to do a bit of travelling before heading south. Family in a bit of an uproar, don’t you know.”

  “If you’re not in a hurry to get back to town, please consider staying at Castle Kane for a few days,” Hugh offered. “I am staying a week or so longer before I return to London myself, and hoped to get in some hunting. I admit, I should be very happy to have company.”

  Rupert looked at him with a gratified smile. “I would like that,” he said, forgetting his sister’s instructions completely. “I say, that is very kind of you. I admit I would rather not be in London just at present.”

  “That’s settled, then.”

  Rupert shook hands with the Earl, and made arrangements to return in time for dinner with his carriage and trunks. As he cantered down the drive away from the castle, Rupert felt that he had discharged his duty very well indeed after all. While staying in the Castle he would obviously have ample opportunity to converse with the maids, and find a way to connect his sister’s protégé with her carrier’s lad. The opportunity to get in some shooting with the Earl was just a nice little side benefit.

  When her brother arrived back at Whitethorne cottage, Sally ran out to meet him.

  “Well?” she demanded eagerly. “How did it go? Did you speak with one of the maids?”

  “Let me at least get out of the saddle, Sally,” Rupert laughed. “You will be very pleased with me I think, but let me take Beauty into the stable, and meet you inside.”

  Sally stood in the doorway of the cottage, too excited to sit patiently by the fire. It seemed to take Rupert an age to unsaddle Beauty, but when he approached, Sally took his arm and pulled him into the sitting room.

  “I will say, Sally, that I had some doubts about your plan, but I think it’s going to work out fine,” he told her.

  “Were you able to get a message to one of the maids, then, Rupert?” she exclaimed, sounding a little surprised. Handing him a cup of tea, she patted him on the shoulder. “Well done!”

  “Well, no, not yet,” Rupert admitted. “But I met with the Earl. He’s not an old man, Sally.” He took a sip of his hot tea, and missed the sharp look his sister sent his way.

  “Not yet?” she repeated, confused.

  “No. The Earl has invited me to stay at Castle Kane for a few days, to get in some hunting before heading back to London.”

  Sally shook her head at her brother, exasperated. “Rupert, I didn’t send you up to the Castle to wrangle an invitation to a hunting party.”

  “No, but the Earl is a capital fellow, Sally. We were thinking of the old Earl, who was indeed a friend of our father’s. He passed away last year, and Hugh, the current Earl, is a great gun. And while I’m staying at the Castle, I’m sure I’ll have an opportunity to execute your plan and reunite your maid with her beau.”

  “Hugh?” Sally repeated in a hollow voice. “Did you say that the Earl is a young man named Hugh?”

  “Yes, and dashed handsome, with a way of tying his cravat that I would not mind learning. I might just get the chance to ask him, too. I liked him at once. He is
staying for a week or so to get in some hunting, and said he’d be grateful for the company. Oh, and he knows our grandmother, Sally. She is his godmother.”

  Sally closed her eyes. Hugh, her Hugh, was the Earl of Kane. Well, she considered after a moment, what difference did that make to her? She had no designs upon his title or fortune. A smile stole into her eyes, and without volition her lip curled. She did, however, have designs upon him. But could he have been the cruel cause of Bridget’s banishment? It didn’t seem possible. Sally knew she must get to the bottom of the matter. She looked at her brother, and knew that Rupert’s open and confiding nature did not make him an ideal conspirator, but it would definitely be helpful to have a collaborator inside the Castle. Even Rupert should be able to find a way to get a message to Robbie, and that was the most important thing.

  “You will certainly be more comfortable up at the Castle than you would be here,” she smiled at him. “I was going to have to turn Miles out of his room for you.”

  “Indeed,” Rupert agreed. “I had been picturing some old Scottish ruin, but the Castle is pretty impressive, Sally. My only regret is that I don’t have Champion with me, or some others of my hunters. Hugh said he can mount me, of course, and will be happy to have more of his hunters exercised than he can ride himself. He’s a capital gun, Sally. I say,” he exclaimed on a sudden idea. “I can say that you are visiting our grandmother as well, and you can come up and see the place for yourself!”

  “No indeed!” Sally cried out. “On no account must the Earl know that I am in the area. If he knows our grandmother, word will somehow get back to her and our parents, I know it will. Promise me, Rupert that you will not even mention my name.”

  Uncomfortably aware that he had already done so, Rupert nodded. “As you wish, Sally.”

  Rupert continued to extol the virtues of the Earl of Kane and his magnificent home, and his good luck in coming to Scotland while the Earl was in residence, until Sally was more than ready to send him on his way. They made arrangements to each go for a ride the following morning at eleven, arranging to meet on the moors for a council of war. After seeing him back into his carriage, Sally watched until her brother was out of sight before going back into the cottage.