Page 56 of The Gift of Patience
“Rupert?”
“He died instantly.” He was not surprised at her disbelief. Ashley was there and could scarcely believe it himself.
“What was he doing there?”
That was certainly not the reaction he anticipated, but that was one of the things he appreciated most about her.
“As we were leaving the estate, Sir Horace and Rupert came upon us. They pronounced they were coming to assist us with the prisoner.”
“Why would they do that? There were six of you.” She furrowed her brow, leaving a crease there that he longed to smooth away, but he did not touch her with his soiled hands.
“An excellent question and one that is bothering me most about this entire situation. They were quite insistent upon following me, and when Renforth told them they needed to leave—that he could not be responsible for them—that was when the gang set upon us. It seemed too premeditated, if that makes sense.”
“You think Rupert was set up?”
“I think he was deliberately shot, so possibly, yes.”
He could see her considering the possibility.
“If the point of the ambush was to dispose of Rupert, then we were correct in our suppositions that he was only the middleman.”
“And had outlived his usefulness?” he supplied. “Also, it must mean they have other plans for the future or they do not yet know of the trap,” he said quietly, mindful of listening ears.
“How do you figure that?” she asked.
“If he knew of another shipment, would he have risked his gang?”
It was likely Rupert was the one who had given away their movements that day and had been directed to follow along. When Sir Horace came out of his stupor, he would have to be questioned closely to see if Rupert had revealed anything. He still had not spoken in his state of shock.
If he knew nothing of the scheme or who Rupert was working with, then Rupert’s rooms would have to be searched both here and in London. It should be done anyway, and the sooner the better. Much though he hated to disturb Westwood, it was necessary. Speaking of Westwood…
“How is Faith’s labour progressing?” he asked. It would have been the first question from his mouth had Patience not needed reassuring, though she was out on a walk, so things could not be too dire.
“Oh! She’s already given birth.”
“So soon?” Even he knew that first births tended to be a lengthy process.
“Indeed. Apparently, she had been having pains the entire night and had not told anyone. How very like Faith not to wish to bother people and bear the burden alone.”
“I assume the babe is healthy?”
“All is well. The boy and Faith were well when I stepped out.”
“Did you say a boy?”
“I did. He had no name yet when I left them.”
“Thank the heavens.” The last thing he ever wanted to be was the heir.
“Forgive me, but I must bathe and then speak to my brother about this matter. There is little time to waste.”
She nodded her agreement and then fell in beside him as they walked to the house.
“Have the plans changed for this evening?” she asked.
“I cannot say what might have happened in London, but I’ve heard no word otherwise from Renforth.”
They parted at the staircase and Ashley immediately rang for a bath. It would not be the luxurious soaking he desired, but a quick clean and change.
