Page 20 of Avenging the Earl's Lady
“Yes.Into your pocket the money must go, before Father comes down and starts asking questions.You may pay me back later.Or not.”
As Jane swept the money away and pocketed it, the door crashed open and two large men sauntered in from the stable yard, one wearing dark coats, the other in uniform.
Lady Perry turned on them.“And where have you been, Fergus MacEwen?”she asked.
Jane recognized the dark-haired Scotsman as one of Kincaid’s trusted men.Now she could put a name to the face.
“Off twisting the innkeeper’s girl’s arm, he was,” said the other man, a dragoon Jane hadn’t seen before.
Jane’s gaze shot to Perry’s haughty look and then Jenny’s red face.The dragoon hadn’t recognized Lord Shaldon’s daughter.He didn’t know he was in the presence of two ladies, but the lout shouldn’t talk that way in front of any woman, not even a kitchen maid.
“Hold your tongue.”MacEwen sent the dragoon a tense look.
Jenny had turned away, gripping a knife, her back stiff.
“Are you hungry, Mr.MacEwen?”Jane asked.
“Hungry?”the dragoon asked.“He’s been feeding on tinder morsels, haven’t you, man?I saw you and the wench—”
Perry gasped.“Are you drunk, man?”
“Drunk?”The dragoon blinked, his mouth firming and opening again.
“Leave it.”MacEwen glared at the man, shot Jenny a quick look, and then turned his gaze on Lady Perry.“I apologize, my lady.Your father sent me to speak to Kincaid.”
The dragoon’s head jerked up, his mouth dropped open, and he made a hasty retreat out through the kitchen door.
Under Lady Perry’s disdainful stare, blood rose in MacEwen’s cheeks.
“They’re in the dining room waiting for you,” Jane said.
Perry patted Jenny’s shoulder.
“The wretch,” Perry said.“What does Father want with him?”
Jane took up a towel and began drying the freshly boiled eggs.“MacEwen will be escorting Sir Richard to London tomorrow.”She would have to consult a map to make sure they avoided him.
“Let’s have a cup of tea,” Perry said.“Or perhaps, Jenny, you would like a spot of brandy.”
Jenny’s head moved side to side.“You need to be off, my lady.”
Perry sighed.“It may not be true what the other fool said.”
“It is,” Jenny said.“I overheard him in the yard yapping about it.”
Perry turned the girl around to face her and gripped her shoulders.“Remember what I said.I dragged you to Yorkshire.No matter what happens, no matter your troubles, I will always help you, and so will Fox.”
Jenny pressed her lips together.“Naught happened, I promise you.At least, naught that would cause trouble in a few months’ time.”
“You’ll stay away from him.”
“Yes.”
“And his cousin.He’s lurking about also.”
“The cousin is leaving tomorrow for Cransdall,” Jane said.“He and two other men are taking the painting.”
“Three men?”Jenny asked.“It’s that valuable?”
