Read Jackal (Regency Refuge 2) for Free Online Page B

it mercilessly out of her aged hands, but tussling with her over her violent tendencies with a cane proved fruitless.
    "Enough!" Rupert's yell traveled across the manicured landscape until it reached a nearby stand of trees, causing a small flock of waxwings to take flight.
    The visitor stood there, bruises already forming on his hands where he'd tried to protect himself from the blows. His back ramrod straight, he tugged his waistcoat and jacket back into place with stiff movements as he glowered at Mrs. Burnham. With a brief flick of his eyes in the steward's direction, he said, "Tobias sent me."
    Rupert's irritation growled deep in his throat. He glared at the poor groomsman. "Take him inside. See that Mrs. Pembroke knows we have another guest. Ask her to show him to the study and serve tea. He'll need a room prepared, too."
    Wheeling back on the group of women, he declared, "I ought to force you four to prepare his room as penance for the way you greeted him. The man is an associate of mine and is here to help us make the trip to London." Even if he doesn't know it yet. "Is this how Uncle Fitz taught you to greet guests at Chakal Manor? What on earth were you thinking?" His voice had grown to a bellow as he asked the last, his eyes trained on the skeletal woman whose indisputable strength was out of place with her frail form.
    Straightening her curved back until she stood at her full height – somewhere around five feet and four inches – Mrs. Burnham impaled Rupert with her eyes. "You will protect these girls, or so help me, I'll hire someone to turn you into a eunuch. Do I make myself clear?"
    Rupert sputtered. He had no retort. What does one say to a madwoman with fiendish strength?
    He peered toward the girls for help. Eleanor choked on her laughter, trying to keep it silent. Eudora's hand fluttered to her brow as if she might faint. Or to hide a deserved eye roll over the entire situation. Juliana, in contrast… Oh, dear sweet Juliana. She made every effort to school her features, but the terror lingering in her eyes told him more than she likely intended. Hers had been the first scream. She'd reacted to the visitor with hysteria, and everyone else had simply followed suit.
    "Mrs. Burnham, please see Eleanor and Eudora into the castle. The three of you may begin rehearsing the apology you will provide our guest at dinner tonight."
    The girls were compliant. Their chaperone, however, waved her cane at Rupert, causing him to take an involuntary step back, before she whirled around as much as a woman her age can and began walking toward the entrance.
    Juliana made a move to follow them, but Rupert stalled her with his hand. "Can you tell me what happened?"
    Her hands fluttered before she fisted them at her sides. Anger wasn't causing her stance, though. Mortification drained her cheeks of color under the dusky rose of her embarrassment. Nonetheless, he could not do the gentlemanly thing and pretend she'd not overreacted. He needed to learn what these sisters were hiding from him.
    "I heard the screams. What caused that?"
    The eldest sister stomped her foot in a most unladylike fashion before looking him square in the eye. "It's my fault. I saw the man lurking and overreacted, which caused my sisters to start screaming, and then Mrs. Burnham started swinging her cane as good as any knight of the realm protecting the innocent maidens. I'm afraid the poor man never stood a chance."
    Rupert chuckled.
    Juliana was indignant. "What's so funny?"
    "I'm trying to picture King Arthur with a horde of knights the mirror image of dear Mrs. Burnham."
    Juliana's lips began to twitch with mirth, and Rupert asked, "What did he do to make you feel threatened? How was he lurking?"
    The look of embarrassment returned to her face. "It's possible he was deciding whether to go to the front door or find the servant's entrance. He stood there and looked around, making no move toward either. I found his behavior suspect. As I said, I