A Reluctant Courtship by Laurie Alice Eakes

Author:Laurie Alice Eakes
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: FIC042030, FIC042040, FIC027070, Man-woman relationships—Fiction, England—Social life and customs—19th century—Fiction
ISBN: 9781441243089
Publisher: Baker Publishing Group
Published: 2013-09-30T04:00:00+00:00

17

Miss Bainbridge turned as white as the kerchief around her neck, and Meric closed the distance between them to clasp her hand between both of his. Beside him, Tuckfield slipped his arm around Miss Morrow, also the color of new-fallen snow.

“Why?” Miss Bainbridge whispered. “Why would someone be so—so cruel as to risk someone’s life?”

“I suspect that’s the idea.” Meric’s jaw hardened. “To take a life.”

“But why?” Miss Bainbridge repeated.

“Who is usually in the way of walking those cliffs?” Polhenny asked.

Everyone looked at Miss Bainbridge.

Her fingers moved convulsively in Meric’s, and he laced his fingers through hers, holding them fast. Improper or not, she needed something solid to cling to, and he was the most appropriate person present.

“Don’t be too hasty,” he told her. “You had just gotten home, hadn’t you?”

“The day before, but it was raining, so I did not go for my usual walk. Oh my, oh my.” She pressed her free hand to her brow.

“’Tis sorry I am to overset you so, Miss Bainbridge,” Polhenny began.

“I told you not to tell her,” Tuckfield lashed out. “See how you have distressed the ladies?”

“No, no, I am glad he told us.” Miss Bainbridge didn’t release Meric’s hand. “I am all right, truly, just a bit shaken. No one would wish to be rid of me, I am quite, quite certain. It makes no sense. Killing me off solves nothing.”

“And killing me off only benefits my brother,” Meric said. “And I wouldn’t suspect Philo for a moment.”

He wouldn’t say why. No one needed to know that Philo’s loyalties lay with America and the last thing he would want was an English peerage. These Englishmen and women wouldn’t understand caring about anyplace but Great Britain, especially not an upstart nation like the United States with its joke of a Navy and poorly led Army.

“We do not know for certain anyone wanted you dead on purpose, my lord,” Tuckfield pointed out. “But I understand why you presume so.” The steward turned to Miss Morrow, who wasn’t objecting to the man’s arm around her. “Do you still wish to attend the assembly tomorrow?”

She smiled. “Of course. We shall all attend. It is just the thing to distract us. But right now, I think I would like to go to my room. Miss Bainbridge?”

She slid her fingers from Meric’s with gratifying slowness. “I must go too, then. Mr. Tuckfield, will you see that Lord Ashmoor has everything he needs? A way home? And all of you, feel free to eat what is here. No sense in letting it go to waste.” Dropping him the most graceful curtsy he had seen a female give anyone, Miss Bainbridge followed her companion from the room.

“I think I’d prefer to walk home,” Meric said.

“My lord, it is all of five miles,” Tuckfield protested.

“Then I shall fortify myself first. But right now, I feel safer on my own feet than in any vehicle. I only wish I had a horse pistol along.”

“I can help you with that if you feel more comfortable.

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