he turned his stormy gaze back to her.
“Until the scandal blows over?” he said scathingly.
She bent hastily to pet Gun, who had kindly brought her a stick. She picked it up, “Never mind. I was just thinking aloud,” She hurled the stick and chased after the dog to hide her burning cheeks.
By the time they caught up with Patrick, Lord Myerly’s steward, they were again chatting like old friends. But she could not forget his reaction to her suggestion, which had both hurt and surprised her. She could have more easily understood if he had run screaming from the prospect of marriage or refused to be thought a fortune hunter. But to answer with such withering contempt for the suggestion…it made her want to cry.
Fortunately, she pulled herself together and forced cheerfulness back into her voice and manner until she genuinely felt it. That the day was beautiful and fresh, now that the rain had gone off, certainly helped, as did the scenery and the greetings of Patrick and his son, who were introduced to her and sworn to secrecy.
Although she had little interest in the science of agriculture, she found she was impressed by Dan’s knowledge, as much as his curiosity. This was why Lord Myerly had made him his heir. Perhaps it was the old man’s act of redemption for neglecting the estates for so long.
Perhaps.
“Are you tired?” Dan asked as they made their way back toward the house. “I can run ahead and fetch the pony and trap? Or your horse, if you prefer.”
“No, I like to walk. And I have been trapped for so long, this is wonderful. Though I suspect I shall sleep well tonight.”
“We can stop in the hamlet and—” He broke off as a sudden crack rent the air, and his hat fell off.
“Goodness, that gave me a fright!” she exclaimed while Gun bolted toward the noise, barking, then skidded to a halt in bafflement and ran in circles.
Dan frowned, bending to swipe his hat off the ground. “That’s the second time this has…” He trailed off, and Juliet saw why.
There was a large tear in his hat, front and back, as though…
“Gunshot! Dear God, Dan, did it hit you?” Desperately, she seized his arm, then dragged down his head to inspect it thoroughly.
“It didn’t hit me,” he said patiently. “But by God, it was close.” He scowled. “And that is my only hat, dash it.”
“Your only… Dan, how can you care about such a thing right now?” With difficulty, she refrained from slapping his undamaged head and released him with a little push. “This could have been a terrible accident. Someone nearly killed you!”
He straightened, seizing her arm and moving quickly down the hill, his gaze searching all around. “I know. We need to get off the hill and among more people.”
She cooperated fully with this plan. “You think this was deliberate?” she demanded.
“Once could have been an accident. Twice makes me suspicious. Especially when…”
“Especially when what?” she demanded.
“Oh, nothing. Life is a bit strange at the moment for all of us.”
She thought about that. “Perhaps someone doesn’t like Gun. Perhaps he attacked their sheep or just scared the wits out of them.” She looked up at Dan. “Or perhaps it wasn’t meant for you but for me.”
He glanced down to meet her gaze. “I was hoping you wouldn’t think of that,” he admitted.
“Then you think it’s possible?”
“It crossed my mind, but who would do such a thing? Barden is a snake, and I would not put it past him to shoot someone from a great distance, but you are his means to a fortune. Why would he attack you? Likewise, Catesby wants his alliance—or you—or both. If it was one of them, they’d be more likely to shoot at me because they perceive me as a threat to their marriage plans. It’s a risky way to beat a rival, though.”
“And you said this had happened to you before?”
“Well, I don’t know that it did. A gun went off a little too close for comfort, but I wasn’t hit, and I couldn’t tell which direction it had come from. I assumed it was someone shooting rabbits or birds.” He shrugged. “It still could have been.”
“And today?”
“An unlucky shot?” he guessed. “Aiming at something else?”
“I suppose that does seem likeliest,” she said doubtfully. “But it is shockingly careless!” She shuddered, trying not to imagine what might have happened. He could be lying on the ground where his hat had been, the lifeblood draining