The Return of the Prodigal by Michaels Kasey

Author:Michaels, Kasey [Michaels, Kasey]
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: Romance, General, Historical, Fiction
ISBN: 9780373772803
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2007-10-02T07:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER TEN

"THE SCENERY IS BEGINNING to look familiar, Jasper," Rian said as he sat up on the seat in the small space his new friend's huge body afforded him. "That church spire over there?" he said, pointing. "I don't think we're more than two miles from the manor house. Make for the spire, Jasper. We'll camp nearby."

"Beside a church, Lieutenant? Are we looking for prayers?"

"I don't think prayers are going to help us much, my friend, not when we're planning what we're planning. But where there are churches there are always graveyards, and usually land uncluttered by the living, who don't seem partial to having all their neighbors underground, liable to walk at night."

"Jasper would be all scared and such like, if he didn't think you were funnin' him."

"I'm sorry. There's bound to be some cover nearby, that's all I'm saying. We look like a Gypsy equipage, and Gypsies aren't always welcomed with open arms. If we keep our distance, the villagers will keep theirs. And we don't want them admiring that cannon, now do we?"

"Not unless one of 'em was wantin' to buy it, no. So we settle in, have ourselves some supper— and then what? Wait for dark?"

"That seems reasonable. The last time I was outside the manor house, attempting to look in, I decided I needed a ladder. How do you feel, Jasper, about your Lieutenant climbing you?"

Jasper's grin was a delight, and Rian thanked his lucky star for putting the giant man in his way. He could do nothing without him. Without his caravan, with the weapons that were almost an embarrassment of riches.

"Lisette has been sleeping most of the day again," he said as Jasper turned the oxen onto a small, dirt-packed lane leading west. "My guess is that she's preparing to be awake all night, knowing that we'll arrive soon, knowing that my best choice is to approach the manor house in the dark."

"She'd think all of that?"

"Oh, yes indeed, she would. She thinks a lot of things, Jasper. I just wish I knew the half of them. But what frightens me to my toes is how very quiet she's been for the last day and night, how wonderfully cooperative. You don't know her well, Jasper, but I can safely tell you that quiet and cooperative are not words that would normally spring to mind when I think of Lisette."

"But we'll be taking her with us when we're off to reconnoiter? Jasper doesn't think that sounds a good idea, Lieutenant."

"It's not," Rian agreed. "Just be ready to act when I give the word, all right? Don't question, just do. And remember, I won't like it any more than you do."

"No, sir, but you won't be the one doin' it." Jasper sighed, a prodigiously complicated movement of his massive upper body following. "So pretty. Mayhap you're wrong, Lieutenant?"

"I'd like to be wrong, I want to be wrong. But what if I'm only even a little bit right? Can we take that chance?"

"No trustin' in women, eh? It's a sorry, sorry world we live in, Lieutenant, that it is.

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