To Taste Temptation (Legend of the Four Soldiers #1)(56)

“Well, they shall both have to miss their suppers,” Lady Hasselthorpe said merrily. “And go to bed without.”

Emeline tried to smile at this witticism, but she thought the smile didn’t quite come off. The supper lasted nearly another hour, and for the life of her, she had no idea how she replied to the conversation of her neighbors. Finally, after a course of cheese and pears that she could hardly bear to look at, the meal ended. Emeline lingered only long enough to be polite; then she hurried in the direction of the conservatory. She traversed a series of halls before her heels tapped on the slate floor that heralded the entrance to the room. A pretty glass and wood door kept the moist heat within the room.

Emeline pushed open the door. “Jasper?”

All she could hear was the tinkle of water. She grimaced in exasperation and closed the door behind her. “Jasper?”

Something clattered up ahead, and then she heard a male curse. Definitely Jasper. The conservatory was a long, keyhole-shaped building, the sides and ceiling made of glass. Here and there a few green plants in buckets gave the room its purpose, but mostly it was an ornamental folly. Emeline gathered her skirts to walk down the slate aisle. Near the end, she rounded a stone Venus and found Jasper lounging on a bench. Behind him a fountain was centered in the round space at the end of the conservatory.

“There you are,” she said.

“Am I?” Jasper’s eyes were closed. He was tilted to the side, his hair and clothes disarranged, and frankly, she didn’t see why he hadn’t toppled over yet.

Emeline placed a hand on his shoulder and shook him. “Where’s Samuel?”

“Stop that. Makin’ me dizzy.” He batted at her arm without opening his eyes and naturally missed by a mile.

Lord! He must be completely soused. Emeline frowned. Gentlemen did like to drink too much, and Jasper in particular seemed to be rather overfond of spirits, but she’d never seen him actually drunk. Merry, yes. Drunk, no. And in public, no less. Her worry intensified. “Jasper! What happened in the village? Where is Samuel?”

“He’s dead.”

A thrill of pure horror coursed through Emeline before she realized that this simply could not be. Surely they would’ve heard if Samuel had met with an accident of some sort? Jasper’s head had fallen forward, his chin resting on his chest. Emeline knelt at his feet to try to see his face. “Jasper, darling, please tell me what happened.”

His eyes suddenly opened, shocking turquoise blue and so sad that Emeline gasped. “That feller. Killed himself. Oh, Emmie, it’ll never end, will it?”

She had only a dim idea of what he babbled about, but it was obvious that something terrible had happened in the village. “And Samuel? Where did Samuel go?”

Jasper flung an arm wide and nearly went over backward into the fountain. Emeline caught him about the waist to steady him, although he didn’t seem to notice either his near fall or her help. “Out there somewheres. Took off the moment we got off our horses. Running. Grand runner, Sam is, jus’ grand. Ever seen him run, Emmie?”

“No, I haven’t.” Wherever Samuel was, at least he was alive. Emeline sighed. “Let’s get you to bed, dear one. You shouldn’t be out like this.”

“But I’m not out.” Jasper’s comical bloodhound face contorted in confusion. “I’m with you.”

“Mmm. Nevertheless, I think you’d be far better abed.” Emeline gave an experimental tug at Jasper’s waist. To her surprise, he stood easily. Once upright, he towered over her, swaying slightly. Good Lord, she hoped she could manage him by herself.

“Whatever you wish,” Jasper slurred, and placed a wide pawlike hand on her shoulder. “Wish Sam was here. Then we could have a party.”

“That would be lovely,” Emeline panted as she guided Jasper up the walk. He stumbled slightly and leaned into an orange tree, breaking off a branch. Oh, dear.

“He’s a wonnerful feller, did I tell you?”

“You did mention that.” They were at the door now, and Emeline had a moment of worry, trying to puzzle out how to open it without letting go of Jasper. But he solved the problem by opening the door himself.

“He saved me,” Jasper muttered as they entered the hallway beyond. “Brought back the rescue party jus’ when I thought those savages might cut off me baubles. Oops!” He stopped and looked at her in chagrin. “Not ’spose to say that in front of you, Emmie. D’you know, I think I might be tight.”

“Really, I never would’ve guessed,” Emeline murmured. “I didn’t know Samuel was the one who brought back help.”

“Ran for three days,” Jasper said. “Ran ’an ran ’an ran, even wi’ a knife wound in his side. He’s a grand runner, he is.”

“So you’ve said.” They’d come to the stairs, and Emeline tightened her grip on him. If he fell, he’d bring her down as well; there was no way that she’d be able to hold his weight. And it was a miracle no one had seen them so far.

“It bloodied him, though,” Jasper said.

Emeline had been concentrating on the treads. “What?”

“All that running. His feet were bloody stumps by the time he got to the fort.”

Emeline drew in her breath sharply at the awful image.