Mistletoe and Mayhem - Cheryl Bolen Page 0,108

his thoughts went to Miss Redfern. Had she been kissed under a sprig of mistletoe before? Had she even been kissed?

“Move along, Miss Redfern.”

“You appear to be hungry, Lady Trockler.”

Turning, he found her with an elderly woman, presumably the aunt, and Lord and Lady Trockler. Digging into his memory, he came up with another tidbit Jackson had told him. This aunt had come to live with them after the passing of her son.

She was dressed in lilac from head to toe, and even had a small spray in her hair.

“Good evening, Lord Trockler, Lady Trockler, and Miss Redfern.” Rory bowed. No point in alerting anyone that they’d already conversed this evening. “I hope you are enjoying the ball?”

“No I’m not. The seats are too hard, and the music was over loud,” Lady Trockler snapped. She then stomped away followed by her husband.

“That woman was born mean,” the lady with Miss Redfern said.

“This is my aunt, Mrs. Silver. Aunt, this is Mr. Haddon, he is an old school friend of Jackson’s,” Miss Redfern said before dropping into a curtsey. When she rose, he saw color in her face. Clearly she was uncomfortable seeing him again so soon.

“Allow me to introduce you to my brother, Lord Ellsworth, and brother-in-law, Lord Thurston, and lastly my youngest brother, Mr. Charles Haddon.”

As Milly and Ellie were now at the far end of the table, he left them out of the introductions.

“Oh my, you have all grown into handsome men. Of course I have seen you often at social gatherings, but as I spend most of my evenings seated with friends gossiping, we have never conversed. Can I say how proud your grandfather would have been of you all.”

“You knew him?” Joseph said, taking the gloved hand the elderly woman held out.

“I did. Wonderful man. We were all in love with him, but your grandmother won his heart.”

Moving slightly to the right, Rory leaned down to talk to Miss Redfern. “You need to hurry if it’s an eclair you’re after. My sister and sister-in-law have a ferocious appetite for them.”

Her eyes went from him to the table.

“Go on, you know you want to.”

“I certainly do not. I don’t like eclairs.”

“Oh, come now, who doesn’t like eclairs?”

“I’d much prefer the almond biscuits.”

“I must admit I like them also. Come, we shall endeavor to get one before my family devours everything.”

“Oh, but—”

“No one knows we have conversed or the reasons why. Your brother is an old friend of mine, so us talking or eating together will not raise eyebrows.”

She gave him a curt nod, then walked to the table.

“Miss Redfern, this is my sister-in-law, Lady Ellsworth, and sister, Lady Thurston.”

“Oh, but we are acquainted.” Ellie smiled, and Miss Redfern replied with one of her own. Rory had to admit it suited her. Her face changed entirely. Softened.

Seeing gossip was in her future, he wandered to where the fruitcake and his eldest brother stood.

“She has the look of Jackson. I’d not noticed it until this evening, but then I hardly remember seeing her,” Joseph said.

“I think she’s something of a wallflower.”

“Well, that explains it. Now, do you want to tell me what is concerning you?”

“Nothing is concerning me.” He shot Miss Redfern another look. Ellie was pointing to the eclairs, and she was shaking her head.

“Perhaps I can help?”

His brother always knew when he had something on his mind.

“Very well, but keep what I am telling you to yourself, as I’m not entirely sure as yet there is a problem.”

“You know I will.”

“Miss Redfern approached me earlier. She has grave concerns for Jackson.”

“What concerns?” Joe’s hand beat Rory’s to the final almond biscuit. “You will need to be quicker than that.”

“Yes, well, stop trying to distract me and I will.” Rory’s words were testy as he grabbed the inferior shortbread.

“Continue, and I will eat my biscuit and give you sage advice.”

“She thinks he’s gambling or something equally nefarious. It seems he’s spent a great deal of the family money and creditors have started to call. Miss Redfern said Jackson has been missing for a few weeks now, and while she has tried, as yet she cannot ascertain his whereabouts.”

“Where has she tried?” Joe took a crab patty.

“Bastil’s is one she named.”

“You’re not serious?”

“She’s an extremely determined woman, it seems, but has a footman who accompanies her, and it is now he who enters places she wishes to check.”

“Is that admiration I hear in your voice, brother?”

“No. I told her that she’d risked her reputation by doing what she had,