Page 158 of Storm of Bells
‘And I suppose this is supposed to be abouquet of roses?’ Raising an eyebrow, he lifted my revolver.‘Interesting floral arrangements they do for weddings nowadays.Perhaps I should take part in making the flower decorations afterall.’
‘Give it back!’
Ignoring me completely, he flipped open thechamber and, with a practised hand, rolled the barrel, checkingeach chamber. The snap as the barrel flipped back in place soundedvery, very final. He lifted his gaze to mine.
‘What have you gotten yourself mixed up in,girl?’
No, no, no! He couldn’t get dragged intothis! Not Uncle Bufford! Not the only remaining older family memberthat I…that I…
That I liked?
IlikedUncle Bufford!
I likedUncle Bufford!
Good God, was there no end to my life beingturned upside down? First an engagement, then blackmail, and nowthis?
I batted my eyelashes up at him, giving himmy best imitation of an innocent smile. ‘I suppose it wouldn’t doany good if I told you I was going rabbit-hunting because my dearfiancé refuses to provide meat for the wedding feast?’
‘No.’
Crap!‘Why not?’ I raised my chin.‘He’s at least as stingy as you!’
‘Your husband-to-be is indeed surprisinglyeconomical. So economical, in fact, that, the servants tell me,they’ve emptied the forests of all rabbits, deer, and other ediblesto fill their bellies during the last few years.’
‘Oh.’
Fixing me with two sharp, beady eyes, myuncle shuffled a step forward.
‘What is going on?’
‘I, um, well—’
‘Stop right there! Swallow whatever lie youwere about to spout and tell me the truth.’
Damn! How the heck did he know me so well?Most of my childhood, he’d spent locked in his room a storey aboveme, for heaven’s sake!
On the other hand, his house did have flimsywalls.
‘Uncle…’
‘I’m listening.’
‘Do you remember those…activities I once toldyou about?’
‘You mean the activities that resulted in youmysteriously receiving money during the last two years or so?’
‘Yes.’
A pause.
‘Did you ever wonder what I did? What I stilldo?’
‘Well…at first I thought you’d found yourselfa nice fellow to keep your wallet filled. But then—’
‘Yes?’
‘Then I met your fiancé.’
