Marrying Winterborne (The Ravenels #2) - Lisa Kleypas Page 0,112
One has to question how such a man appeared out of nowhere at just the right moment.”
“I think he did far less damage to his opponent than you did to yours,” Helen said admiringly. “The way you took that ruffian down with your cane—I’ve never seen anything like it.”
“My aim was a bit off,” Dr. Gibson said. “I didn’t connect squarely with the ulnar nerve in his wrist. I shall have to consult with my fencing-master about my technique.”
“It was still very impressive,” Helen assured her. “I pity anyone who makes the mistake of underestimating you, Dr. Gibson.”
“My lady, the sentiment is returned in full.”
Chapter 29
ALTHOUGH HELEN HAD, IN the recent past, discovered that she rather enjoyed shocking people, she had now come to the conclusion that it was highly overrated. She felt nostalgic for all those quiet, peaceful days at Eversby Priory when nothing had ever happened. Too much was happening now.
It seemed that Ravenel House was collectively paralyzed when Helen returned with a bedraggled orphan of mysterious origins, in questionable health and decidedly unsanitary condition. Setting Charity on her feet, Helen held her hand, and the child huddled against her. Servants stopped in their tracks. The housekeeper, Mrs. Abbott, came to the entrance hall and froze in astonishment. Pandora and Cassandra descended the stairs, chattering, but as they saw Helen standing in the entrance hall with a ragged child, they both fell abruptly silent.
The most unnerving reaction came from Lady Berwick, who emerged from the parlor and stood at the threshold. As her gaze went from Helen to the child beside her, she comprehended the situation without exhibiting the slightest break in self-control. She seemed like a military general watching his troops retreating from a losing battle and calculating how to regroup his forces.
Predictably, in the horrid, silent tableau, Pandora was the first to speak. “This is like being in a play when no one remembers their lines.”
Helen sent her a quick smile.
Without a single word or flicker of expression, Lady Berwick turned and went back into the parlor.
The pencil lead taste was back in Helen’s mouth. She had no idea what the countess was going to say to her, but she knew it would be dreadful. She took Charity with her to the bottom of the stairs, while her sisters came down to meet them.
After one glance at the pair, who seemed to tower over her, Charity retreated behind Helen’s skirts.
“What can we do?” Cassandra asked.
Helen had never loved her sisters more than she did at that moment, for offering help before demanding explanations. “This is Charity,” she said quietly. “I fetched her today from an orphanage, and she needs to be cleaned and fed.”
“We’ll take care of that.” Pandora reached a hand down for the child. “Come with us, Charity, we’ll have lots of fun! I know games and songs and—”
“Pandora,” Helen interrupted, as the child shrank from the boisterous young woman. “Softly.” She lowered her voice as she continued. “You don’t know where she’s come from. Be gentle.” She glanced at Cassandra. “She’s afraid of baths. Do your best to clean her with damp cloths.”
Cassandra nodded, looking dubious.
Mrs. Abbott came to Helen’s side. “My lady, I’ll bring up trays of soup and bread for you and the little one.”
“Only for her. I’m not hungry.”
“You must,” the housekeeper insisted. “You look ready to faint.” Before Helen could reply, she turned and hurried toward the kitchen.
Helen glanced at the parlor. A chill of dread tightened the skin all over her body. She turned her attention to Charity. “Darling,” she murmured, “these are my sisters, Pandora and Cassandra. I want you to go with them, and let them take care of you while I talk to someone.”
The little girl was instantly alarmed. “Don’t leave me!”
“No, never. I’ll come to you in a few minutes. Please, Charity.” To her dismay, the child only clutched her more tightly, refusing to budge.
Cassandra was the one to solve the problem. Sinking down to her haunches, she smiled into Charity’s face. “Won’t you come with us?” she entreated softly. “We’re very nice. I’ll take you to a pretty room upstairs. There’s a cozy fire in the hearth, and a box that plays music. Six different melodies. Come let me show you.”
Cautiously the child emerged from the folds of Helen’s skirts and reached out to be carried.
After a disconcerted blink, Cassandra gathered her up and stood.
Pandora wore a resigned grin. “I’ve always said you were the nicer one.”