A Woman's Estate (H5) by Gellis Roberta

Author:Gellis, Roberta [Gellis, Roberta]
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Tags: General, Fiction
ISBN: 1419960210
Publisher: Ellora's Cave
Published: 2009-07-30T07:00:00+00:00

“But why attack Victor?”

Arthur was silent a moment. It was better for Abigail to be wary of everyone than to fix her suspicions on the wrong person. “It is possible someone has a grudge against the earl of Lydden or against the whole family. The old man was not bad or cruel, but he would suddenly come to a sticking place—as he did with Francis. After paying his debts time and again, he suddenly refused and would actually have let Francis be sent to debtors’ prison. It might have been something very minor—a tenant whose lease was not renewed or the terms not eased, a poacher sent to prison or a petty thief transported. In some men, a seed of hatred can last and grow.”

“But Victor is only a little boy,” Abigail cried. “Who could blame him?”

“Only a madman,” Arthur said grimly. “That is why I want you in Scotland. Madmen are persistent and can be damnably clever. It would not be difficult to find out about the other Lydden estates and follow you there. It is not likely, but I do not think we should take that chance. You will all be safe in Scotland. The estate is well away from any large place a stranger might come on business. The villages are small, and every person is known to every other—not to mention the speech. Any Englishman would be noticed immediately.”

Arthur went on, soothing her by telling her more about the Scottish estate and how Daphne and Victor could move around without restraint and yet be carefully watched. His mind skidded again into its personal pit of fear, and he reminded himself that what he had said was especially true for Bertram, who was known to everyone. Bertram could not come within miles of the place without being reported. Abigail hardly listened, aware of little beyond the ebbing of the fear she had finally faced—that someone was trying to kill her son. It was enormously comforting that Arthur had the means and the will to protect her children.

It was not until he asked, “Then you will come?” that Abigail realized there was one problem she had not considered at all—Griselda. Because the attacker might think that Griselda could identify him, she was in as much or more danger than the rest of them and must leave Rutupiae. But if she had a hopeless love for Arthur, it would be torture for her to accompany them. Abigail had grown fond of Griselda, but not fond enough to refuse Arthur, and she knew that if she and Arthur were living in the same house, it would be impossible to conceal their relationship from Griselda.

Abigail sat up and let her arms slide from around Arthur’s neck to his shoulders. “The children and I and Dick, if he is well enough—yes. I will have to talk to Griselda. If she does not wish to accompany us, perhaps she can go to London or someplace else. She could start out with us and then—”

“Whatever you like,” Arthur said quickly.

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