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She was still pondering this question when Averil finally came back downstairs, her own eyes reddened, and flung herself into Beth’s arms.
“I am so sorry,” she sobbed. “I don’t know what came over me. I know you mean well, Beth, it was just . . .”
“I was interfering,” Beth admitted, stroking her charge’s tangled hair. “I should have put it more gently, but I was worried. And I am just as bad as you, my dear, going
about with James Blainey. He’s a rogue. I think we make a fine pair, don’t we?”
Averil managed a chuckle. “Is there something about the Southbrooks or is it us?”
“Oh them, definitely them.”
After a time Beth rang for tea and cake, and they sat comfortably together before the fire. Averil told her about Percival Arnutt, and Beth could see the news had upset her.
“I didn’t tell you what else has been worrying me.” Averil looked at her with a woeful smile. “Gareth says the baroness wants him to marry her.”
Beth’s mouth dropped open.
“He feels he has to agree, because of all she’s done for him, even though he really doesn’t want to.”
“Good heavens,” Beth said faintly. “No wonder you flew off at me.”
“Gareth was in such a state.”
Beth reached for another slice of cake. The poppy seed was always very good and it was James’s favorite. “He’s a fool,” she said flatly. “He should have known what would happen if he let that woman get away with an inch, he should have known she’d take a mile. He must stand up to her and pack his things and walk out.”
“And go where? You know he has no money and I can’t help him.” Her eyes brightened. “He could come here!”
Beth hid her shudders. “Let’s wait and see, shall we, Averil? He might sort it all out by himself. You never know.”
“Or the baroness might find someone more to her taste,” Averil murmured, and then giggled. “Goodness, imagine that?” The next moment they were both laughing, and everything was back to normal.
“I didn’t have a chance to tell you.” Beth jumped up and fetched a letter from the side table. “This arrived for you this morning.”
Averil took the letter and saw it was from her old nanny, Mrs. Fredericks. Nanny Fredericks had written, in a spidery hand, that she had found something of Averil’s mother’s that she wished to give her but it was impossible for the elderly lady to make the trip to London.
“I wonder what it is,” Averil said, trying to decide how she could make the journey to the small village.
Perhaps it was important. The missing piece of information she needed to find her sister. Suddenly she wanted to tell Rufus about it and she wondered when she might see him again.
CHAPTER TWELVE
* * *
“How is your siege on Castle Averil, dear boy? Brought in the big guns yet? Breached her walls, eh?” James was attempting to be jovial but his face had a worried look.
Rufus narrowed his eyes. “There is no siege, uncle. I am helping Averil with her missing sister.”
James bit back a sigh. “What is it about this woman, nephew? I don’t understand why you’re not going in there, all guns blazing. I remember you when you first went on the town, Rufus. You were always able to twist the ladies around your little finger. What about that rather pretty little dancer you kept tucked away for a month or two? You were the envy of London. Why are you suddenly tiptoeing about?”
Rufus raised an eyebrow. “I’m not tiptoeing about, and Averil is not a dancer. She is a proper young lady.”
“All the better! You need a proper young lady for a wife, Rufus. Preferably a rich, proper, and beautiful young lady. Averil is the perfect choice. She can return you to the social hierarchy the earls of Southbrook were born to inhabit.”
“I’m quite happy with my life as it is, James,” Rufus lied.
“That may be so, Rufus, although I don’t believe it for a moment,” James replied drolly, “but Eustace will need to be introduced into society as he grows older.”
Averil had said something like that to him, Rufus remembered, but he’d preferred not to hear it. Anyway, at the time, she’d been trying to “save” him and he’d taken exception.
