Mistletoe and Mayhem - Cheryl Bolen Page 0,46

what.”

An unexpectedly kind gesture to a family that didn’t want her. He admired her for taking steps to keep her son, and to avoid an unappealing marriage. Yet matrimonial peril not withstanding, her flight from Scotland would have been an anxious one for other reasons. “Do you fear Mr. Roper is in pursuit of you?”

She nodded. “I had had the good fortune to fall in love, but I ran off to be married without my parents’ blessing. They did not approve of Liam. I was married over an anvil. I fear they will make me give up my son to Mr. Roper, and they might not protect me after the scandal I must have caused. That’s why I came to my uncle first.”

“Most likely, Vyne will write to your father and inform him of your location. Your father could bring Mr. Roper here, too.”

“I’m sure they will come eventually.” She chewed her lips. “I watch the drive all the time, in fear of losing Pip.”

Having spent time with Ruby and Pip, he wouldn’t want to see them separated, either. Male children were considered family property, though. That was the law. Women had few rights when it came to their offspring. Yet it felt wrong to allow any separation of Pip from his mother. Ruby would need a wealthy man to protect her. Lord Vyne was wealthy but not exactly the charitable sort. There had to be more to the story. “Why do you stay?”

“My uncle is still deciding how he can help me.”

Most likely, Vyne was stalling. If it were up to Hector, he’d have spirited Ruby away to a distant abode and suggested she live a quiet life and for them to never use their real names again. “If Vyne refuses to help you, I will be only too happy to deliver you to your cousins in Cornwall or beyond.”

“I’m sure that it will not be necessary, but thank you. My uncle has promised his assistance, but under a condition.”

“How like him. What was his condition?”

“I am to marry a man of my uncle’s choosing.”

“Not you, too,” Hector exclaimed in annoyance. “That is too high a price to pay for anyone.”

“It is customary. Families arrange marriages for their daughters all the time. Don’t say it isn’t true. I need the protection of a marriage, my lord. Lord Vyne, no matter what he promises for Pip, will not live forever. I need someone with the power and funds for a bribe if necessary, to persuade Mr. Roper to leave Pip in my care.”

Hector frowned, disliking the plan. Vyne should easily be able to support and hide, if necessary, two family members. Hector could do it without requiring Ruby to marry anyone. “I’ve heard Lord Vyne is expecting another guest to arrive soon. When did you make this deal with him?”

“The night I arrived. Do you think it could be the man he wishes me to marry?”

“It couldn’t be. I arrived before you and I knew about the other guest coming that afternoon.”

“Well, then it will be someone else he picks.”

Someone Hector was sure not to like if they were closely acquainted with Lord Vyne. Surely Ruby didn’t want to go along with all of this. “Are you sure you want to marry again? Like this?”

“No, of course I don’t, but I have no choice.” Ruby looked at him for a long moment. “I won’t be parted from my son for any reason. I must do as my uncle wishes if Pip is to have the future he deserves.”

“Well then,” he murmured.

“Well then,” she replied, her smile strained. “More tea?”

It really wasn’t his place to tell Ruby what to do even if she was making a huge mistake trusting her uncle. “Hmm, I suppose that will do for now.”

Chapter Ten

Ruby lifted her gaze to the view. The storm had passed during the night, leaving them with a blindingly white world. They would go outside today, see some of the estate at last. Hector had promised to be their guide. He had insisted on escorting them everywhere after her confession about a likely pursuit, claiming he didn’t want them to become lost on the estate.

Ruby wasn’t sure his company was in her best interests, but she felt safer with Hector around than without. He clearly hadn’t approved of her plan to remarry to protect Pip, but he’d wisely kept his lips shut ever since voicing his initial objections. Pip seemed to enjoy his company immensely, too, and she was glad that Hector