Page 36 of To Heal a Broken Earl
“Armstrong sent word last evening that he’d just arrived at his estate along with Celia and Lady Beadle. They plan to stop by today to update us on the investigation.”
“Good God!” Wright replied, running his hands through his hair again. “This has disaster written all over it.”
“I’m certain that both Lady Beadle and Lady Chipperly understand the importance of the situation.”
“Would you like to wager on that?”
Michael chuckled. “No, my friend. But I think between all of us, we can keep them from dueling on the front lawn.”
~*~
“Welcome, Lady Chipperly,” Michael said a few minutes later after Wright had made the introductions. “Wright has told me a great deal about you.” Michael smiled as he lifted her gloved hand and kissed it. “I feel as though I already know you.”
“Please, call me Aunt Chippie!” the older woman gushed.
“Aunt Chippie, this is a surprise,” Wright said. “I thought you were spending a few days entertaining your friend Julia.”
“Humph! That woman…” Aunt Chippie frowned. “Julia and I had words, and she left to return to London a few days early.”
Wright exchanged an amused look with Michael over his aunt’s head.
“It was all for the best in any case, wasn’t it, dear Mr. Burns?” she said with a flirtatious smile at the artist, who looked to be about twenty years younger.
“Quite right, my lady.” Burns smiled at Aunt Chippie.
Michael noted it was a polite and somewhat patient smile. Burns appeared to be a respectful man with no ulterior motives. Wright had told him he had already looked into the artist’s background and found him to be completely genuine and truly dedicated to his art.
“Of course, I insisted that Mr. Burns use my carriage rather than the stagecoach. And then I had the most brilliant idea. All very last-minute, you see. I thought that I might be of some use or assistance. At the very least, I could provide feminine guidance to your lovely young guests. I do hope I am notde trop, am I?”
“On the contrary, my lady, you are most welcome. I have already instructed Stanhope to prepare two guest rooms.” Michael smiled.
“Oh, you are most kind, Lord Wilton.”
“Please call me Michael, my lady.”
“Well, you must call me Aunt Chippie.”
“Thank you, Aunt Chippie,” Michael said.
“How did you find the journey here, Aunt?” Wright asked.
“Quite comfortable, nary a bump in the road. Was that not so, Mr. Burns?”
“Indeed, the journey was most comfortable, thanks to Lady Chipperly’s generosity,” the artist said with a smile. “But truthfully, I am eager to begin. When Lord Wright spoke to me of the gravity of this matter, along with the delicacy of a child being involved as a witness, I said yes, immediately. I am at your service, my lords. If you’ll show me where you’d like me to set up, I can begin as soon as it’s convenient for you.”
“Perhaps by the window?” Michael suggested.
Burns turned to regard the large picture window where sunlight streamed in. “Yes, it will afford us plenty of light. If you will allow me to retrieve my tools from the carriage.”
“Of course,” Michael said, nodding at one of the footmen to assist the artist.
He stopped speaking as Lady Beadle and the Armstrongs entered the room.
The footman returned a few minutes later carrying an easel, followed by Burns, who carried a large sketchpad and a box of what no doubt contained charcoal and other accoutrements of his craft. As Michael directed them to the window, he heard a familiar, melodious voice, and turned to see Emma enter the drawing room, holding Katie’s hand. Stanhope must have told her the artist had arrived, given the stoic look on her face and her squared shoulders.
Katie tugged on her aunt’s hand. The child was trembling. Emma crouched and spoke softly to her niece. Katie nodded and gave her a tremulous smile. Michael swallowed the lump in his throat as he watched Emma hug the little girl. He’d worriedabout the effect this exercise would have on Katie, having to relive that horrific night when they’d barely escaped with their lives. The child hadn’t had a nightmare in several days, but after this, would she experience a setback? His heart wrenched at the thought.
Michael made a move toward them, but in the same moment, Aunt Chippie turned and let out a squeal of delight. “Oh, what darlings!” she exclaimed as she hurried toward Emma and Katie.
