their parents. She’d been a lively little girl before he’d gone away. Before her asthma became so troublesome. The damage to her lungs made those earlier breathing difficulties seem like child’s play.
“Have you a promise of a real job?” Ginny had not been happy to learn that Reyn was earning his living by gambling as their parents had. In her eyes, Reyn should have been doing something respectable—clerking for some great man or seeking a position as a steward. The fact that he had trouble tallying up numbers larger than the ones to count the points in his hand was unknown to her. He was good with figures in his head; it was just the sitting down to tote them into neat columns that defeated him. The damned numbers would not stay where he put them no matter how careful he was.
He managed his money well enough now that he had some, except for the purchase of that unfortunate waistcoat. He’d have to make it last and hope for more luck, as any avenue of gentlemanly employment seemed blocked for him by his vexing stupidity.
No. He was not stupid. Just . . . different.
“Yes. A real job. I’m to help an old earl clean out his attics.”
She pinched his coat sleeve. “Don’t bam me, Reyn.”
“It’s the honest truth. The man wants an accounting of the treasures he has up there before he sticks his spoon in the wall.”
“That sounds exciting! I wonder what you’ll find.”
“Loads of dust and probably dead mice, love. Over the centuries, I gather his ancestors brought back everything that wasn’t nailed down from three continents. Perhaps I’ll discover the Holy Grail.”
“I wish I could help. I’d love to see such things.” She gave him a wistful look, then turned her attention to Rufus, who snorted happily on the counterpane as she scratched his belly.
“Perhaps I’ll sneak something out for your inspection.”
“Don’t tease. You wouldn’t want to lose this position, Reyn. Perhaps the earl will keep you on permanently.”
Reyn couldn’t imagine such a thing, but he nodded and joined her in indulging Rufus. He had wondered at first if the dog might upset her breathing, but the comfort the little animal provided seemed worth the risk.
“Rufus hasn’t had a proper run since you were here Sunday.”
Reyn took the hint and scooped the dog up. “It will do us both good to get some fresh air, then,” he said, kissing his sister’s damp forehead. Some days she was well enough to leave her bed and take the animal out herself, but today was not one of them.
Once outside in the walled back garden, he plopped Rufus on the grass to do his business and picked up a handful of acorns, rolling them around in his palm. The oak in the center of the lawn was stripped, brown leaves curling on the ground.
Reyn had not been impressed with the recent English autumn. He missed the breathtaking fall foliage of Nova Scotia. After Waterloo, he’d spent almost four years with what was left of his regiment in Canada. He’d not much cared for the ocean crossing, but once he was there the blunt natural beauty of the place had awed him. The primeval forests, rough Atlantic coastline, and abundant wildlife—even the winter hardships—had touched something within him.
Canada had nothing like the manicured countryside of Kelby Hall. That civilized place had made him feel like a savage. Everything about the estate was managed, from the formal gardens to the geometrically clipped yew hedges to the uniformity of the pea stones on the drive. The long façade of the house itself, with its glowing honey-colored stone and scores of windows, was designed to intimidate. Rumor had it that one of the Kelby earls rebuilt the original dwelling to please Queen Elizabeth, who had been a frequent guest.
Reyn had seen nothing but the enormous entry hall and the library on his visit. He’d felt dwarfed by the high coffered ceilings and long windows. Somehow the rugged cliffs and roar of the ocean on Cape Breton did not frighten him quite the way silent, elegant Kelby Hall did.
Reyn turned to his sister’s snug cottage and tossed an acorn up to her bedroom window as he’d done from the time they were children. In the old days it was the signal for her to slip out of bed and join him on an adventure. Now it just garnered him a puzzled look from Rufus.
“I know, boy. You want me to throw something for you.” Reyn