Page 7 of The Gift of Patience
“You are not one to easily spook,” he remarked. It didn’t look like nothing. He had felt her trembling.
“I saw a squatter camp. I thought someone was watching me, and when the pup began to bark, I took fright and ran back here. Nothing happened.”
“He was trying to protect you. One of Cunningham’s?” He knelt again and scratched the pup behind the ears, but immediately Ashley was on alert. If whatever the danger was had reached Taywards, it had to be dealt with quickly. “Can you tell me where the camp is? I will go look into it.”
“Of course. I took the path along the stream that leads to the river. I was going to cross the bridge and circle back around, but the water was rushing over it. If I hadn’t doubled back, I might not have seen it. The pup sniffed it out and led me to it. The camp was nestled between the clearing in the old chestnut trees. There was a tent set up.”
Ashley nodded. “I know precisely the place. Let me escort you back to the house, then I will go back with Westwood.”
They walked a few steps in silence, the dog smelling his way ahead of them.
“What brings you to Taywards, sir? I did not realize we were to have the pleasure of your visit.” She seemed to rethink what she said. “Not that you need a reason to visit your family. It’s just surprising you would wish to ride in this wretched weather we’ve been having. Although Mr. Cunningham and his sister arrived earlier with Lord Montford. They brought the puppy to Joy.”
“It was not planned, but as you say, the abysmal weather has kept me inside far too long. I decided a little rain would not hurt me.”
She smiled at that. “I am sure your family will be pleased to see you.”
“But not you?” Why the devil had he said such a thing? The last thing he should be doing was flirting with the likes of Patience Whitford.
“We are always delighted to see you, sir.”
We. Not I,he noticed.
They neared the barn, and Patience stopped. “I dare not take him to the house like this. I will see you later, sir.”
“Do you wish for me to accompany you?” he asked.
“Grace and Joy are here. I will not be alone.”
“Very good.” He snapped his heels and made her a quick bow before turning towards the stables.
He would dearly love to bathe and rid himself of the muck from the ride, but he needed to investigate this camp as quickly as possible. He wanted to inform Westwood of what Patience had found before he set off alone.
Westwood was showing off one of the new colts to Freddy and Monty. Ashley raised a hand in greeting when he saw his brother. Westwood excused himself and came over to Ashley. “Thank you for coming so quickly.”
“You saved me from myself,” Ashley admitted. “There was little to do in Town.”
“I thought you might bring some others with you,” Westwood remarked. “You did come alone?”
“For now. Renforth set some of the others to investigating a few leads in London, and they will send word or join me here if they discover anything.”
“What kind of leads?”
“He was not completely surprised when I told him of your request. It seems that some reports of other things in Greenwich had reached the Foreign Office. A large shipment of arms went missing, and the leads went cold near here.”
Westwood frowned. “That is much more serious than I’d anticipated if there is a connection.”
“Indeed. And just now, I literally ran into Miss Whitford as she was running, frightened by something on her walk.”
“Is she harmed?”
“She is well, but she was alarmed. She found a squatter camp near the river and sensed someone might be watching her. The puppy led her to the camp, then began barking. I am on my wayto investigate, but I wanted to at least inform you of where I was going.”
“Shall I accompany you?” his brother asked.
“I think it would be best if I go alone. I might be there for hours waiting for someone to return if they have not already abandoned the camp.”
“Very well, I will come to the bridge after dinner if I have not seen you by then. You can signal to me if you need something.”
