The Toplofty Lord Thorpe by Kasey Michaels

Author:Kasey Michaels
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 1986-03-13T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER EIGHT

FOLLOWING DIRECTIONS Dexter had received from the innkeeper in Alsop-en-le-Dale, the small party drew up their horses at the crest of the third hill to the north of the town and looked down into the small valley where the Anscom farm was situated. Julian eyed the unkempt fields with the distaste only a good land manager could know, while Lucy clucked her tongue at the neglected state of the small manor house and outbuildings.

“I thought you said this Anscom fellow was a gentleman farmer,” Dexter said, breaking the small silence. “No wonder the chit grabbed at you, coz. She must have been desperate to improve her lot.”

Lucy was becoming very weary of Dexter’s frequent allusions to the possibility of Julian’s guilt. “She did not ‘grab’ for anything his lordship offered, you thick dolt, for he didn’t offer anything.”

“Of course he didn’t,” Dexter assured her hastily. “It’s just that it gets so confusing trying to separate Julian from the real criminal. In my mind I know he is innocent; it is only my mouth that confuses the issue.”

“Then I suggest, my dear cousin, that you keep your mouth shut,” the earl put in before Lucy could let loose with what he was sure was bound to be a scathing lecture. “The last thing I need now is another gravedigger—I’ve already got one person shoveling away at my reputation quite handily as it is.”

Dexter again believed himself to have been insulted. “Far be it from me to cast aspersions, coz,” he said huffily, “but have you never thought that if you had taken the time to be a bit more human in your dealings, you might not have this lamentable tendency of yours to attract people who wish you harm? I mean, you must have done something…”

Lucy winced, realizing that there was a grain of truth hidden somewhere in Dexter’s muddled defense. Julian wasn’t the easiest person to like, what with his strict code of behavior and somewhat cruel habit of ignoring those he felt beneath him either socially or intellectually. It was possible, even probable, that he had offended more than a few persons either unwittingly or purposely, yet she could not recall ever hearing a single person speak out against him publicly.

She stole a look at the earl, just now sitting stiffly in the saddle, glaring at his cousin, and felt a small shiver climb up her spine. It would take a strong man to stand up to Julian and thus expose himself to the man’s rapier tongue as well as the sure censure of his powerful circle of friends. A covert revenge might be the only way open to someone bent on satisfying some real or imagined offense.

“Despite his rather crude way of expressing himself, Dexter may have a point,” Lucy said slowly, praying Julian wouldn’t take her words the wrong way. “We have never compiled a list of enemies from which to choose possible suspects.”

Lucy could feel the chill descending about her shoulders as Thorpe turned his icy gaze on her.

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