Abandoned to the Prodigal - Mary Lancaster Page 0,85

perhaps dozing, perhaps watching the fish while munching some breakfast coaxed out of Lord Myerly’s cook. Which everyone knew he did.

Leaving his horse tied to the side of the bridge, where it would surely catch the attention of anyone looking for him, he settled down under the bridge and waited to see if anyone would come.

The next stage of his plan was flexible. In fact, it was downright vague, for it depended so much on who the culprit was and what they intended to do. He was not an angry man by nature, but the thought of someone trying to put a period to his existence over something as trivial as money and an estate no one else gave two hoots for….that did arouse his ire. And something akin to hurt that he didn’t want to acknowledge, for his own sake or his mother’s.

Even now, he didn’t truly believe in what he was doing. He was merely ruling out the possibility in the face of some serious and dangerous events. And when he saw someone walking briskly across the meadow from the direction of Myerly, his heart sank.

Part of him even cringed inside. But he would face it as he had faced everything else in his life. Head-on.

And so, he waited to see who the approaching man was, for it definitely was a man. A gentleman by the outline of his dress and the way he walked. So at least he didn’t need to confront his Aunt Tabetha.

Of course, it was perfectly possible this man had nothing to do with him. He might not be family, and if he was, he might have come to talk to him. Even when Dan saw the gun, he harbored the same hope.

Until his Uncle Ames paused and raised the fowling piece, taking clear aim at Dan’s hat.

*

Juliet, having done her first duty of informing Mrs. Stewart, in the company of the entire family, where Dan had gone for the morning, retreated to the walled garden where Dan had left Gun.

The dog was delighted to see her, and she soon took up position on the mossy old bench which had been built on a raised dais. From there, she could throw sticks for the dog and see who left the house from the front, the back, or the side.

She saw the doctor arrive, presumably to see Susan, and leave again. Colin strode out of a side door, making her sit up straight, but he only walked briskly around the house twice and then vanished back inside. Tomorrow was Wednesday, the day they should all be leaving. If Mrs. Stewart went, too, she could no longer stay here.

But then, it had only ever been a short-term strategy. She would have to go home eventually and face the music. But hopefully, the unspeakable Barden would have left, enraged, and Jeremy would be too appalled with her behavior to wish any resumption of their engagement.

As for the scandal, it would no doubt get worse with Barden fanning the flames. Her ruin would be utter, and no one would want to marry her. That would not please her parents. Or Kitty. But Kitty’s Lawrence would stand by her. And Juliet did not want to marry anyone anyway.

Apart from Dan.

The laundry maid was hanging out sheets to dry at the back of the house. Between that and her own dreamy thoughts, she almost missed the man leaving by the front door. He wore a cloak over one shoulder. Mr. Ames. And he was crossing the drive, toward the fields that led to the river.

She stood up in sudden panic. She had promised to stay here, but she had done as Dan had asked and had seen who left the house.

What if someone else left after him, and Juliet was not here to see? Besides, she was being silly. Dan would take care of himself. He had a plan, and what threat could the vague, sickly uncle possibly be to a fit young man?

And then the wind caught his cloak and blew it back, and she saw the gun he carried over one arm.

She was already at the gate, shutting poor Gun in again before she knew fully what she was doing. At the other side of the gate, she hesitated, for Gun would provide both excuse and protection on her walk. But Dan had left him behind deliberately, and it was Dan who was in danger. So, she left him, seized her bonnet from the washing line where it