A Perilous Engagement by Emily Hendrickson

Author:Emily Hendrickson [Hendrickson, Emily]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Regency Romance
Publisher: Belgrave House
Published: 2000-11-15T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Ten

“This powder flask is unusual in that it is made of silver with a silver-gilt spout,” Lady Ariel pointed out. “Papa bought it in London. I suppose it’s possible there is another just like it.” She studied the powder flask before handing it to Jordan. “I have polished it any number of times for Papa as he does not like the servants to handle it. Not even Cummins. What can this mean?”

Prince sat up proudly, and if a dog could grin, he grinned.

“It looks to hold two and a half drams of powder to one ounce of shot,” Jordan murmured, handling the flask with care. “And it means that either someone in Stafford Court was able to get access to it, or that another just like your father’s powder flask exists. And I give leave to doubt that,” he concluded with a meaningful look at Ariel.

“If Papa’s is missing, I wonder who could have taken it? It should be in his library, in a special case. How frightening to contemplate,” she said with a shiver that had nothing to do with the early morning air.

“Shall I keep this for the moment?” Jordan said before slipping the flask into a pocket of his coat after a nod from Lady Ariel indicated it was agreeable with her.

“Yes, do keep it safe for the present. I will be most interested to check Papa’s case to discover if his flask is missing. Although I truly wonder that anyone would be so foolish as to steal such a thing. Will all be gone? The gun, everything?”

They began strolling to the carriage. Prince pacing at their sides like a guard of old.

“Fool thing for anyone to do—to take such a distinctive powder flask, much less a gun. It makes me believe that whoever is shooting is someone who does not do so as an occupation. An expert would have plain items.”

“Oh,” Lady Ariel gasped. “There are such people? Perhaps that is why both you and your cousin were not hit—that is, you were merely winged as it were,” she mused as they returned to the curricle. “Your cousin was missed completely, and had his horse not been spooked he might be alive today.” It seemed to Jordan that the possibility of his cousin still being around didn’t seem to appeal to the lady at his side. At least, she made no sighs, nor did she wipe tears from her lovely gray eyes.

A man from the brick works came out at that moment to give them a curious look. Jordan paused, then said, “Go to the carriage and wait for me. I would ask a question or two of this man, and he might be hesitant to speak before a lady of quality.”

“Very well.” Lady Ariel obeyed instantly. Prince trotting at her side after a lingering look at Jordan. Jordan appreciated her lack of argument in this instance, and it was as well that the dog went with her as a sort of protection. Amazing that the dog had proven so worthwhile.

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