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mortification this was going to be!
    “I have no need of your money, Miss Ashby.”
    Henrietta’s brow furrowed. “Then why are you doing this?”
    The woman smiled, a very charming gesture. “I wish to pass along my wisdom. I feel it a terrible thing to waste.”

Chapter 4
    T he manor house, nestled amid snowy mounds, stood prominent against the winter land. Smoked curled from each of the six chimneys, and in the fading afternoon light, the candle flames, sparkling from each of the glazed windows, gave the home a warm and inviting glow.
    Sebastian reflected upon the quaint country dwelling—and the quirky family that hibernated within. Five months ago he had quit England for the mainland. It’d been an agreeable trip, filled with gluttony and sinful pleasures. But all good things must come to an end. Five months ago he had severed all communication with the Ashbys, hoping the youngest and most willful of the brood, Miss Henrietta Ashby, would set her cap for a more deserving gentleman. Now he’d returned to see how his plan had fared.
    The sleigh slid to a stop, the sleigh bells chiming, announcing Sebastian’s arrival. He was wrappedin bearskin to keep warm and tossed aside the fur, stepping out of the cutter.
    The butler greeted him at the door, helped to divest him of his greatcoat, collected his hat and gloves.
    Sebastian looked around the country house. Everything seemed the same, he thought. The inlay side table to his left. The ornate mirror to his right. All the same. And yet something was out of place…
    Sebastian didn’t have a chance to reflect upon the oddity, though, for he soon heard the proverbial voice, a baritone timbre, and he turned to find the baron shuffling toward him, arms outstretched.
    “Ravenswood, my good man, how delightful to see you again!”
    Sebastian offered his hand in greeting. “Thank you for the invite, Lord Ashby.”
    “Nonsense, my boy, you are family. Family, I say. The Yule festivities would not be the same without you.”
    Sebastian nodded in appreciation. “How are you, my lord?”
    “Oh, the same, Ravenswood. The same. A few pounds heavier, a few white hairs shorter.”
    The viscount quirked a smile. For all the baron’s foolery, he was a charming old fellow. “I’m glad to hear it, my lord.”
    “We’ve missed you these last five months, we have.” The baron gestured to the study door. “Come, Ravenswood. Join me for a drink.”
    Sebastian cocked his head in acquiescence.
    The baron beamed and led the way. As Sebastian trailed the rotund man, he once more reflected upon the nameless oddity that had plagued his senses. The chairs, the pictures, all seemed to be in the right spot. So what was it then? What was amiss?
    “The hounds.”
    The baron looked over his shoulder. “I beg your pardon, Ravenswood?”
    “Where are the hounds, my lord?”
    “In the kennel, I’m afraid.” He sighed. “Lady Ashby ordered the poor boys out of the house after one…er, decorated her favorite rug. The boys are not allowed back inside for the rest of the day. Punishment, you know.”
    Ah, so that’s what was wrong. No hounds. Sebastian knew there was something missing underfoot…No, wait. That wasn’t it, either.
    Sebastian inspected the house as he moved through it, searching for…a little hoyden.
    That’s it! That’s what was missing. Henrietta.
    Where was Henrietta?
    Sebastian furrowed his brow. She was always the first to greet him. For the past eight years, without fail, she had bounded up to him in salutation before he’d set both feet inside the house. It was the only time she was ever on time for anything.
    Sebastian perused the empty foyer once more. “I say, Baron, is the whole family here?”
    “Quite. Quite.” The baron ushered him inside thestudy. “You are the last of the guests to arrive. So good of you to join us, Ravenswood.”
    Sheltered inside the study, Sebastian settled in a comfortable armchair and inquired, “Is the family well, Lord