Mistletoe and Mayhem - Cheryl Bolen Page 0,45

something about Ruby Roper that didn’t sit right with Hector. It was strange how little she’d spoken of her life in Scotland. It was clear that she loved her son and thought well of her late husband, though. If Clement were here, Hector would ask him about his female cousin’s marriage. As he was not, Hector was left to get his answers from the lady herself. It was unlikely that Vyne would tell him anything useful.

Hector allowed Pip a good amount of time to play and wear himself out, and then dressed him back into his warm and rather thin coat he’d thrown off. He hoisted Pip onto his shoulders for expedience and returned to the manor as quickly as he could walk that distance safely. Pip was a great deal more subdued when he greeted his mother in the upstairs parlor and happily returned to his toys to play.

She smiled. “Would you care for tea, my lord?”

“Yes, indeed, but only if you will call me by my given name when we are alone.” Hector was on a first-name basis with all members of Meg’s new family. It wasn’t that scandalous, really, especially not here. “We are family now, in a way.”

“I shouldn’t do that.”

“Well, the offer is made.” He slipped another flask from his pocket, tipped some brandy into his cup—and Ruby’s, too—and then sat back to sip his. “How long will you be staying at The Vynes?”

“I’m not certain,” she said, eyes lowering to her cup.

He watched her mouth, became fascinated by the gentle curve and pout of her lips as she blew across the hot liquid. He thought of the pleasure of kissing her and if he might have another chance to kiss her again. The woman was indeed quite lovely, and he wanted to know all about what brought her here. He had a feeling it wasn’t for a holiday. “Lord Vyne is not known for his generosity, even with his wife. I’m sure your visit here has an end date. My departure is imminent, I think.”

Ruby’s lips parted in surprise. “So soon.”

“I came to see m’sister Meg. If she doesn’t arrive soon, I will set off for Cornwall for our planned Christmas reunion.” He smiled. “May I ask where you are bound for when you leave The Vynes?”

“Why?”

He smiled even more warmly. “Well, perhaps I should like to see you again.”

Ruby glanced down at her hands. He noted the cup she held trembled as she put it aside. “I don’t know where I’m going yet,” she admitted.

Hector waited, hoping that if he gave her an opportunity, she might divulge her secrets.

She was wearing the same gown she’d worn for several days. The only dress he’d ever seen her wear was dated and fraying at the seams. Her marriage had not provided for her needs very well. He suspected she was in desperate straits and had come to her uncle hoping for his assistance. That could only be a mistake. “What you say to me goes no further,” he promised.

A tiny shuddering breath left her. “My husband died nearly a year ago. He was a good man, but he wasn’t a wealthy one as you must have already determined. He was my father’s servant. My father disowned me when it became known I had given my heart to someone of his lesser importance than expected.”

Ah, she’d scandalized her family. He did remember hearing something about that but could not recall the finer details. “Most fathers react badly to scandals, I’ve noticed.”

Ruby nodded. “I didn’t care then because I had Liam. I went to live with my husband’s family, but it soon became apparent they didn’t care to have an Englishwoman in the family. Before I fled Scotland, Mr. Roper had decided I must marry a man I didn’t know very well. He intended to keep Pip with him, so I had no choice but to run away from home. I took the mail coach, and then a series of carriages to reach The Vynes. I’ve asked for my uncle’s protection.”

A journey of weeks, perhaps, and costly, too. “I had assumed you hadn’t any money. How did you pay for it all?”

“My mother-in-law had some money set aside. She gave it to me, and in return, extracted a promise to have Pip educated and to send him back when he’d reached his majority.” Ruby glanced at the window. “Pip is the only family they have, too. I intend to honor that promise to Eliza Roper no matter