Page 189 of Storm of Bells
Grumbling into his beard, Karim pulled on therains. Slowly, the carriage rolled to a halt.
‘Finally!’ There was a pattering offootsteps, and moments later, Adaira’s face appeared at the window.‘I’ve come to warn—oh!’ Eyes widening, Adaira looked back and forthbetween Captain Carter and her brother. Then her eyes went to me,sparkling deviously. ‘Are you switching?’
If lookscould kill, Mr Rikkard Ambrose would have been guilty ofsororicide.[34]
‘Open the door, close your mouth and get inhere,’ I ordered with the supreme authority of a bride on herwedding day. ‘What was that you said about a warning?’
‘Um…’ Adaira cleared her throat. ‘Why don’tyou step out and walk with me? It’s a nice day for a walk. Besides,the atmosphere in there seems a little…chilly.’
I had to admit, she was right about that.Smiling, I slipped out of the coach and stretched myself. Aaah!After so long being cooped up inside the dark coach, it waswonderful to smell fresh air again.
Mr Ambrose and Captain Carter followed me outof the coach. The air between them was not particularly fresh.‘Crackling with tension’ would have been a better way to describeit.
‘You mentioned something about a warning?’ Ifrowned. ‘Is something wrong back at the manor? What kind ofwarning?’
‘Not for you.’ Eyes still twinkling, Adairanudged her brother in the ribs, with about as much effect asnudging a marble column. ‘For him.’
‘I?’ Emitting a dismissive noise, Mr Ambrosepocketed his winnings. ‘Nonsense! What do I have to be afraid of inmy own home?’
‘But—’
‘Silence, girl! I’ll hear no more ofthis.’
Adaira cocked her head—then shrugged, as ifsaying ‘It’s your funeral.’ Leaning over towards me, she winked andmouthed. ‘Mother!’
I nearly choked on my spittle.
‘Did you say something, Miss Linton?’
‘N-no. Nothing. Nothing at all.’
Carefully, I made sure to keep a little bitback while I let Mr Ambrose stride ahead. Just far enough so hewouldn’t hear my recurring giggles.
After walking for a while, my amusementsettled. The memories of the last few hours came flooding back tome. Mr Ambrose and I had urgent business to take care of. We had tofinish this business with Dalgliesh once and for all. But…
I glanced back at Captain Carter.
There were other matters to be finished,too.
Slowly, I dropped back until I was walkingbeside the captain.
‘So…’ I cleared my throat, not exactlyknowing how to proceed. How do you ask an ex-suitor if he’ssufficiently gotten over his heartbreak to attend your weddingwithout breaking down and sobbing? ‘How exactly have you been?’
‘Quite well, all things considered.’ In whatwas probably an unconscious gesture, the captain traced the scar onhis forehead with one finger. ‘I’ve had quite a few interestingexperiences.’ For a moment his face darkened. ‘I probably won’t beso rash as to rush to the front again, my head full of thoughts ofglory, though. You must have thought I was so stupid.’
I cleared my throat. ‘Well…yes.’
He smirked at me. ‘That’s what I always likedabout you, Miss Linton. You’re so gentle and tactful.’
‘As all my friends can attest.’
‘But, seriously…’ His gaze drifted off intothe distance, as if seeing far-off mountains rising above steamingjungles. ‘The beauty of nature, the ugliness of war…all thosethings I saw in South America, they’re difficult to put intowords.’
I just about managed to keep my smile incheck. ‘Oh, I think I can imagine it fairly well.’
From behind me, I heard a choked giggle fromAdaira.
The captain and I walked beside each other ina surprisingly comfortable silence for a while. I didn’t know why,but there didn’t seem to be any tension in the air between us. Ihesitated, still not knowing how exactly to broach this topic,but…
