Mistletoe and Mayhem - Cheryl Bolen Page 0,48

nice of me.”

“You were sometimes very annoying,” she murmured.

He shook his head. “I probably wanted to make you notice me, chase me so that I could steal a second kiss.”

She shook her head. “A scoundrel at just twelve years of age.”

“Hmm, I probably was—and still am, depending on who you talk to,” he admitted.

When she looked at Hector now, she saw a glimpse of that young boy but not much of the scoundrel he claimed to be. “But who else but you could have taken it from me?”

“I don’t know. The last time I saw it, it was as I said then—beside your cot in the nursery, right before we all trooped downstairs to see our parents. The nursery was thoroughly searched for it the next day. The housekeeper made us all line up outside in our nightclothes. The servants quarters were thoroughly checked, too, I suspect.”

“I asked the housekeeper when I arrived if it has ever been found, and she said not.”

“I fear it is lost for good then, or it was taken by someone rather devious.” He stopped her. “Have you been holding a grudge against me all this time?”

She blushed. “It was important to me. A keepsake from my paternal grandfather.”

“I knew that then, too.” He nodded and started moving again. “We could have been looking for it about the house these past few days. Put the matter to rest once and for all, eh?”

“I couldn’t have troubled you,” she said quickly.

“Nonsense. You know, I think I will be staying for Christmas after all. A scavenger hunt will be just the thing to keep us all warm.”

“I can’t ask you to change your plans for me.”

He smiled quickly. “I wouldn’t have changed my plans if I hadn’t wanted to. Besides, I think Pip could do with the diversion of my company, and you, too.”

“You might be right.” Ruby blushed a little at Hector’s kindness. He was staying for her, to protect her and Pip so they could stay together. If she had to marry anyone, Ruby wished it could be someone as gallant as him.

She had done a little snooping already for her lost item, but it might be a great help to have another set of hands to move a piece of furniture quietly, and Hector did seem quite strong. More muscular than her, at least, and taller. There were several high places quite beyond her reach in the library. “Lord Vyne might not like us poking about the house without his permission.”

“Then I guess we’d better make sure he doesn’t find out,” Hector whispered.

They reached the front hall and heard the voices of men. Ruby hung back when Hector suddenly started to tiptoe to the library door, making no sound. He carefully peeked around the doorframe to look into the library—and then jerked back, shuffling a few yards in her direction. “Bloody hell,” he muttered softly as he caught her elbow.

“What is it?”

“Samuel Blackwood is here.”

“Who?” she whispered.

Hector ran a hand over his mouth and muttered, “A man you don’t want ever to cross.”

Judging by Hector’s furtive behavior, he had.

And he was afraid of the man, too. Was he dangerous as well? Ruby wasn’t keen to meet anyone who could make a grown man shrink in fear.

Ruby pulled at Hector by his sleeve, drawing him away from the library door and into the doorway of an empty reception room. “Go back upstairs. Quickly.”

Hector shook his head. “There’s no use delaying the meeting. He’ll find out I’m here easily enough. Vyne will mention my name, of course.”

That didn’t sound good for Hector’s sake. “What are you going to do?”

Hector tugged down his waistcoat. “Meet him and hope he doesn’t plant me a facer.”

Ruby frowned. “Why would he do that?”

“I kissed his sister.”

“I thought you owed him money.” Ruby rolled her eyes. “So you are a scoundrel.”

“Well, she kissed me back,” he exclaimed. “There was mistletoe!”

“Does that excuse all your indiscretions?”

“Especially those committed during the holidays.” Hector grinned and held out his arm to Ruby. “Shall we introduce ourselves to Lord Vyne’s important guest together, m’dear?”

Ruby considered taking it, but if there were punches to be thrown, she’d rather not be attached to Hector’s side. However, if a lady were present, perhaps cooler heads would prevail. She pulled her shawl tighter about her shoulders. “I think we have no choice but to meet him together.”

Hector leaned closer. “I never would have thought Vyne acquainted with the likes of Blackwood. He’s hardly the sort to frequent country houses