Have Yourself a Merry Little Secret : a Christmas collection of historical romance (Have Yourself a Merry Little... Book 2)

by Collette Cameron

  As soon as he had dressed, he went downstairs to breakfast, Major and Mrs. Addison were already seated, but although they were consuming a pot of tea, had not yet dished themselves up any food.

  “Good morning, I trust you slept well? Where are the others?” Rupert enquired.

  “They’ve already eaten in the kitchen. Evans is in the stables. I sent O’Neill and Johnson out to check any places they think this Maurice might have stayed in the area. As he had a dog bite, he may have summoned a doctor. Obviously not Doctor Barnett, as he would have reported the matter. He is the only doctor for several miles’ distance. However, there are a couple of doctors in Frome and another over towards Mells, so if they do not locate where he has been staying, I asked them to check out the physicians for a man of his description with a dog bite behind his knee,” the Major said.

  “Thank you, that is very efficient of you,” Rupert said, helping himself to bacon, eggs and toast. They had risen from the table, and Lucia was considering the choices of jams and fresh rolls, which had also been placed on the buffet. Major Addison selected a pair of kippers, at which Lucia screwed up her nose in mock annoyance.

  “You set a fine table, my lord,” he said, organising a second plate with some cold beef and eggs.

  “My great-uncle did, the staff just carry on as before. I suppose eventually I will suggest my own preferences, but the cook is good, and I have had no complaints. I will leave that to Lady Verity in future.”

  They seated themselves again, although Rupert pulled out Mrs. Addison’s chair for her, beating her husband to the honour.

  “Cooper is patrolling the grounds, as he was a poacher before he chose the army in preference to having his neck stretched. He will not be able to track Maurice as the snow will have covered everything. However, if anything is out of place or anyone is where they shouldn’t be, lurking, he can deal with a couple of men on his own. I told him if there were more than two, to watch them carefully, note where they go, then return to report,” William said as he broached the kippers with a look of anticipation on his face.

  Lucia ate more delicately, preferring a more continental breakfast to the robust English one the men consumed.

  Rupert slathered strawberry preserves onto a toast. “It is too early to disturb Lady Verity, but if I have the carriage arranged for ten thirty, I think it would be acceptable?”

  “Yes, that sounds good, I wanted to make myself known to the staff and examine the house and grounds, for security issues. Lucia will make herself comfortable and be ready on time. She is a boon, a wife who can follow the drum without complaint and deal with whatever emergency comes calmly,” he said, beaming at her.

  After swallowing the last bite of a toast, Rupert replied, “You are blessed indeed. Lady Verity did not swoon when I was shot and had already cleaned the wound by the time Dr. Barnett arrived, so she is no shrinking violet, either. I was not really bought up to all this and the finances are a bit of a mess at present.” Rupert glanced around to check no servants were present and that the door was firmly shut. “Did your brother discuss the other matter that has to be dealt with, as we have not discussed what I should pay you and your associates?”

  “The treasure? Yes, Cuthbert explained. The snow has now stopped and it is looking to be a fine day, but I think we should probably give it a chance to melt a little before we attempt to bring it down to the Manor,” the major declared. “And for pay? I was paid 23 shillings a day when in the army. So perhaps six guineas a day for our services, would seem about right under the special circumstances? Anything we earn as a group is divided equally, although we have been ploughing half into improving the farm. I pay the lads a regular wage and a small share of the profits, but this allows them a little extra in case they decide to take wives or something. So I would pay them out their full share should they choose to leave and go their own ways.”

  Rupert thought what the major asked for was more than fair. And even if he wanted more, Rupert would have agreed. The fear he’d seen in Verity’s eyes he did not want her to feel for a moment, so he would not hesitate to do what was necessary to ensure their protection and security until Maurice was dealt with. “I think we can agree on that. Will the farm be all right in your absence? And if Lady Verity and I should need to travel to Lord Hansard’s estate in Wiltshire over the Christmas festivities, would you be able to accompany us?”

  “That would be no problem. Another Sergeant, Jones by name, married our cook and will keep an eye on the place with another former soldier, who lost an arm at Waterloo but likes to be useful.”

  “Good, well I have some letters to write, and Lady Verity should read them before they are dispatched, so I will head for the library. If you would like to join me there, Mrs. Addison, I would be grateful for your company.”

  He ordered the carriage, and then Rupert settled down to write to his soon to be brother-in-law, and after a few attempts, managed a draft he thought was acceptable.

  My Lord,

  I hope this letter finds you in good health and I apologize that we have not been formally introduced. However, I wish to inform you that I have requested your sister, Lady Verity, for her hand in marriage. As Lady Verity is of age, I know that your permission is not legally required but I would seek your blessing on our union and trust that my suit will not be found with too much disfavour on your part and that of your family. I am newly come into the Barony of Ellesmere Manor, following the death of my great-uncle Frederick Rogers. I greatly respect and esteem your sister and intend to treat her as my greatest treasure. My assets are sufficient to keep a wife and family in great comfort and our marriage is not dependent on any dowry, my bride might bring with her.

  Lady Verity has greatly honoured me by accepting my proposal and we intend to marry as quickly as can be convenient to all concerned. I intend to put the banns up in the local church at St Michael’s and All Angels Church at Buckland Dinham and hope that we can wed in the New Year. Please excuse my haste to be married on the grounds that I am most eager to become her husband and for us to share our lives together.

  I would be grateful if you would reply and hope you will honour our nuptials by giving your sister away in place of her late father.

  Yours faithfully,

  Rupert Rogers, Baron.

  It was not the most erudite of letters, but he thought it sounded respectful enough and stated everything that was needful. Then he drafted a note to the vicar asking for the banns to be put up and a few more notifying the London newspapers of their engagement. The door was knocked on at quarter past ten, and Mrs. Addison entered. She was dressed in a dark grey merino gown, accessorised with a brightly embroidered shawl which Rupert suspected came from her native land of Spain.

  “Welcome, I have finished writing, can I tempt you to a glass of sherry, while we wait for the Major?”

  She smiled. “That would be lovely, my belongings are already on the carriage so I am ready to leave, my lord.”

  He poured them both a glass of fine dark sherry which they sipped.

  “Did you meet the Major in Spain, Mrs. Addison?”

  “Yes after Salamanca, unfortunately our marriage has not been blessed with children. I hope your marriage with Lady Verity will be blessed in all things…”

  They talked for a while keeping an eye on the clock on the mantelpiece. Then Rupert packed up the letters neatly and stood. He opened the door for Mrs. Addison and bowed her through ahead of them. The Major was waiting for them in the entrance hall, already wrapped for winter weather, so Mrs. Addison donned a bonnet and thick cloak, while Rupert was helped into his second-best overcoat, his best having the musket holes in the sleeve. He grabbed his hat, gloves and scarf before helping Mrs. Addison into the awaiting carriage.

  Evans sat on the box with Tom Coachman holding a rifle while looking warily for any trouble. Cooper was at the rear of the carriage also armed with a rifle and with a sabre clearly available for use at his side. Rupert realised that the Major was also armed
, visibly with both his cavalry sabre and one of the new rifles that were now more available. It was not a make of rifle he recognised, although Rupert admitted to himself he was no expert in such matters, however it looked a very expensive and efficient weapon. Rupert boarded the carriage behind Mrs. Addison, and then her husband followed him in.

  Once in the carriage, he realised that Mrs. Addison also had a similar weapon and that both husband and wife were watching for any attack on the carriage as they made the short journey to Lady Verity’s home. The snow was only a few inches deep and did not cause the horses any difficulty, travelling over it. The sun was shining down and there were no more clouds in the sky, so Rupert hoped most of the snow would melt so they could retrieve the treasure on the following day.

  When the carriage pulled up beside Verity’s house entrance, Major Addison got down, gesturing for his wife and Rupert to stay in the carriage. Evans and Cooper both got down and examined the grounds, while Rupert waited. Satisfied, they warily returned and the Major knocked on the door, which was immediately opened by the housekeeper.

  “Lord Rogers, Major Addison, and Mrs. Addison to see her ladyship,” he announced. He reopened the door to the carriage and his wife jumped down still carrying her rifle, then Rupert descended and they were quickly ushered inside. They were promptly shown to the sitting room where Lady Verity and Mary Herriot were sitting embroidering in front of a blazing fire.

  The sight of her sitting so prettily immediately set his heart to race and he grinned wondering if she would always affect him so. He enjoyed, even more, the delight that lit up her blue eyes and the rosy flush on her cheeks.

  They stood as the three entered and Rupert bowed over the ladies’ hands.

  “Lady Verity, may I introduce Major William Addison, who has come to see to my security and his lovely wife Lucia?”

  “Honoured to meet you both,” Verity said, curtseying and with a warm smile.

  “Major Addison, may I introduce Miss Herriot to you and your wife,” Rupert continued correctly.

  Introductions over, Verity invited them all to sit and requested tea be brought.

  “Lady Verity, Major Addison had a suggestion for your safety until Maurice is arrested. He thought that you might welcome Mrs. Addison as a female bodyguard for the duration. Would that be acceptable to you?” Rupert asked, watching every nuance of her expression. “I admit I would prefer you were both under my roof, until he is apprehended, but I think that would shock the old tabbies who love to gossip. although I’ve written to the vicar to ask for our banns to be read, I suppose it is better to stay apart for propriety’s sake.”

  “There is a guest bedroom and Mrs. Addison would be very welcome to stay, if you think it is necessary.”

  “I do think it is a sensible precaution, Lady Verity. I also intend to leave one of my former soldiers here. I understand you do not keep horses yourself, but there is a room for a groom if you wish to do so?” Major Addison asked.

  “Yes, the stables are functional and the groom’s quarters are water-tight even if not very luxurious.”

  “Then, my man Evans will return tonight with his horse and that of my wife, so that a message can be sent quickly if necessary. If there is no hay or straw, then that can be arranged,” the major said, satisfied that there had been no objections to his plans.

  Rupert asked Verity for a private moment. He hid his smirk when she blushed but then seemingly couldn’t stop smiling. They excused themselves and went to a smaller parlour a few doors down. Once the door closed, she whirled toward him and they rushed to each other.

  Verity’s laughed puffed against his mouth.

  “I missed you,” she breathed.

  He kissed her fleetingly, a delicate brush of his lips against hers. “And I missed you. I dreamed of you last night. I do believe I am now eighty percent in love.”

  She laughed, hugged him, only to release him like she had been burned. A worried look entered her eyes. “How is your arm? Has Farrant checked that it is not infected?”

  “It is fine. It does not even hurt anymore, I promise.”

  Rupert kissed her deeply and for long moments before he released her from his embrace.

  “I wrote a letter to your brother, the vicar, and the newspapers. Could you read them over, before I have them sent? I am not sure of your brother’s exact address,” Rupert asked, getting out the letters.

  Verity read through the one to her brother and laughed. “Yes, by all means, send it to Henry. His letters to me usually say something like, ‘I will be there tomorrow, hope to see you.’

  She read the second one. “The letter to the vicar is absolutely correct, and I can almost see him trying to eat the carpet when he reads it. He…he wanted to marry me, but I refused. And the newspaper notices are nearly correct. I will alter them as it is important to include my father’s first name, which of course, was George.”

  She handed him the letters before walking over to a writing table positioned below the window. Verity turned to him, her eyes glowing with such tender emotions. “Rupert,” she said, pressing her hands against his chest. “I admire…I love that you include me in all things. It warms me to know I do not only have your love but also your respect.”

  And he was glad that she understood that in her he saw a partner. Rupert dipped slightly and kissed the tip of her nose.

  A slow, sensual brilliant smile curved her mouth. “Before we go back outside, I want your kisses… a lot of them!”

  Wrapping her arms around his neck, she took his mouth with hers, kissing him with a sweet fervour he hadn’t expected but one he accepted with wholehearted delight for he wanted to leave her purring with plenty to dream about.

  .

  Chapter 12

  Rupert returned home to Ellesmere Manor, leaving Lucia, her baggage, and rifle with Verity. The day continued bright and fair with a light breeze, and the snow melted away, except in small spots beside the road, the night clouded up and stayed fairly warm, so the melt was draining away and did not freeze into black ice. It looked possible that on the following day, he would be able to make the journey with a couple of the Major’s men to fetch the treasure and then it would be ready for the jeweller to assess it.

  Evans set out after dinner with Ximena on a leading rein for Lady Verity’s. The Major’s men drifted in to report. Cooper said there were no signs of anyone trespassing and handed over three rabbits to the cook to prepare.

  “Old habits die hard, Cooper?” The major guffawed.

  “You didn’t complain, Sir, when we was on campaign. Always made sure you got your share…”

  “I know there are far too many rabbits, Cooper, if you want to catch a few while you are patrolling, you are welcome. But check with cook how many she wants and sell the rest to the butcher’s in the village, tell them I gave you permission,” Rupert said, smiling at their camaraderie.

  “Thank you, my lord, very decent of you,” Cooper said saluting, before heading to the kitchens to eat his supper.

  O’Neill and Johnson came in separately about half an hour to report. O’Neill had gone west and Johnson east. O’Neill had not found any trace of Maurice. However, Johnson had more to say.

  “I found where he’d been staying, and checked out the rooms he’d rented. Not in an inn, but in a lodging house. The landlady, who was a real slattern, swore blind that he had taken the rooms for two weeks, but had skipped out without paying. I examined the rooms. I’ve stayed in worse hovels, but not much. Left a pair of breeches behind, rolled up behind the bed.” Johnson displayed the torn, bloodied breeches with a hole that matched the piece of material Rufus had ripped out.

  “She said he was limping but had dressed like a gentleman and was in a real rage. I thought she would be correct about his rage as her own language was as bad as the lowest trooper at him not paying his full tab. I asked around, but although some of them had seen him with another man, a former prize-fighter, known locally as Crusher Murray. This Crusher was out of town to
o and the drab he lives off and, I assume, pimps out did not know where to or for how long. She had some fresh bruises but I think she was telling the truth. So I know he stayed in Frome and has found a heavy villain to help him, but the trail went cold. Sorry, my lord.”

  “You did well, it does not sound like he has slunk back off to London to lick his wounds then. That’s a pity. He was boasting about buying up my debts and offering to buy the estate, so it seems strange that he was living in such a dive and not paying his shot. I was wondering whether I should contact Bow Street about him, but did not think about it when I spoke to your brother. Thanks for your help, Johnson,” Rupert said.

  After the men had reported, Rupert and the Major shared a decanter of brandy while the Major told him stories from the peninsula campaign.

  “Do you think there is a chance of getting the treasure down tomorrow? There is a small cart in the carriage shed that I think they use to transfer hay and straw from the home farm to feed the horses,” Rupert asked.

  “If it does not snow again over night, I think we will manage. I think I will head for bed then maybe we can proceed after breakfast tomorrow.

  The following morning was again clear and no more snow had fallen in the night. Rupert headed down for breakfast and ate with only the Major. Then they wrapped up warm and headed for the carriage shed. Johnson, Cooper and O’Neill, flanked Rupert, all of them visibly armed. The cart if basic seemed solid enough for the purpose.

  “I think it is strong enough and should serve the purpose,” Major William said.

  John Cutler appeared and asked if he help.