Part 20 (1/2)
”His lords.h.i.+p can't keep her hidden in the attics forever-- or you either, though I can see why he might want to keep you to himselfI” Frederiea ignored that.
”Lord Sea brooke has good reason to keep Christabel's presence here a secret for the present. If you value your post, I would advise you to respect his wishes in the matter.” ' Coombes sidled closer to her.
”Oh, I can keep my mouth shut, if it's worth my while to do so.
No doubt his lords.h.i.+p would be willing to expand the nanny's, ah, duties, to see his secret preserved. ” He seized her roughly before she realized what he intended and pulled her against him.
”How date you?” snapped Frederica, unwilling to scream for fear of drawing other servants to the scene. In spite of the but let greater strength, she felt confident of her ability to handle him.
”I could have you dismissed for this!” ”I think not, my pretty,”
he replied with a chuckle. He moved his face within inches of hers. ”Good butlers are rather harder to find than light-skirt nannies!”
Remembering one of Miss Milliken's more unorthodox lessons, Frederica lifted one foot and brought her heel down hard on the man's instep. He released her with a startled howl of pain.
”You will not touch me again, Mr. Coombes! I do not threaten idly,”
she informed him furiously.
He appeared nearly as angry as she, his fie shy cheeks quivering with barely contained rage.
”We shall see who gets dismissed over this, my fine lady!” he snarled.
”When I'm done, you'll not find another post in all of London!” He turned and stomped down the hallway towards the main staircase, his back rigid in his fury. Frederica watched him go with relief. She doubted that he would actually go to Lord Sea brooke with their encounter as it would present him in a far worse light than it would her. And she doubted she would have to endure any more unwelcome advances from the man, either. Her only fear was that he might seek to spread malicious gossip about the earl out of spite.
Well, if her theory about Christabel's parents proved true, even that would be no threat, she realized. She would finish reading through the letters that afternoon and share her findings with Lord Sea brooke that evening. Her heart lighter at the thought, she mounted the stairs to the nursery.
CHAPTER NINE.
FREDERICA SLOWLY descended to the library at the appointed hour, ordering in her mind the things she wished to say to the earl. After reading through every one of the letters from Captain Browning, she felt that they supported her theory, but unfortunately offered no hard proof.
She hoped to convince Lord Sea brooke to go a step further in the investigation. If he would not, she was determined to do so on her own.
Proving Christabel's legitimacy was rapidly becoming an obsession with her, keeping her thoughts from other matters that might have engaged them.
She tapped lightly on the library door and opened it upon receiving an answer from within.
Her careful phrasings fled from her mind when she beheld Mr. Coombes standing by the Carol's desk, watching her mockingly as she advanced. Involuntarily, she met Lord Sea brooke's eye, to find a silent question there. He was looking unwontedly somber.
”Ah, Miss Cherrystone.” The Carol's formal tone immediately put her on her guard.
”I'm glad you are here. Coombes has brought a serious accusation against you, and I have told him that I can take no action until I have heard your side of it.”
Frederica glanced at the butler, then let her gaze slide away without acknowledging him. Not for nothing had Miss Milliken taught her how to administer the cut direct, though she had also impressed her charge with the very limited circ.u.mstances in which it might be appropriate.
Frederica felt certain that this was one of them. That Lord Sea brooke noticed was betrayed by a quick upward quirk of his lips, immediately controlled. Mr. Coombes stiffened perceptibly.
”Accusation, my lord?” Frederica was pleased that she managed to keep her voice perfectly call.
It was too much for the butler.