Page 9 of The Gift of Patience
“It is difficult to tell without any other link. I doubt the water will recede enough by tomorrow to take a boat to the pier, butperhaps we could go further on a mount. I’d also like to question the staff as we let them know about our uninvited guest.”
“Do you think that will cause undo alarm?” Westwood asked.
“Possibly, but if it is related to our other matter, those sorts could well become violent to protect their interests.”
“I have half a mind to remove Faith and the girls from here until we know it is safe, but she will not wish to go to London so close to her confinement.”
Nooo!Patience wanted to scream.
“I do not think we are there just yet, but it might come to that.”
“Shall we join the others for tea?”
Patience jumped. It would not do to be found blatantly eavesdropping. Major Stuart already found her meddlesome. She had wanted a chance to prove herself, yet she’d gone running. How was she to have known? It would have been stupid to stay there without reconnoitering and she had hardly been inconspicuous. No, she had done the right thing. But now she had more to prove.
She turned and hurried towards the drawing room, and was just sitting down when the gentlemen entered.
Much to her surprise, Major Stuart seemed to seek her out and come immediately to her side. She was sitting on a settee by herself, and he walked up next to her. “May I join you?” He indicated the seat next to her.
“Of course.”
He seemed to take up the entirety of the small sofa. His leg brushed against hers, and suddenly she felt claustrophobic. She scooted closer to the arm on her side, but it was not enough.
“Tea?” she asked because she had to do something.
“Yes, please.”
She knew without asking how he took it. She had been with him a great deal last Season during Faith’s ordeal with SirJulian. They had been quite close at one time, but now she felt self-conscious around him. She hated the vulnerability.
After handing him his cup, she cleared her throat. “Were you able to find the camp?”
“I found the spot where you indicated it had been.”
“You do not believe me?” she asked, the indignity erasing any self-consciousness.
“I did not say that. The camp had been abandoned.”
She breathed a sigh of relief. There was nothing worse than having one’s word doubted. “So they must have seen me when I discovered it.”
“I think that is very likely.”
“I could feel that someone was there.” She shivered in remembrance.
He must have noticed, for he put a comforting hand on her arm, which sent a rush of heat through her that she could feel in her cheeks. Dash it, she needed to be brave, not be a simpering miss!
“If there is any threat, we will discover it,” he reassured her.
She wanted to be the one to discover and conquer any threat, but she refrained from saying so. That would serve no good purpose to her cause.
However, she had to acknowledge her real fear earlier, but that had been because she’d been caught unawares. It would not happen again.
“Do you think there is still danger?” she asked, knowing the real answer. Would he give it to her?
“One can never be too careful, but it is very likely only a vagrant looking for a safe place to shelter. Westwood has alerted the gatekeepers, and will put extra men about the grounds until we are certain the intruder is gone.”
“Did you say intruder?” Faith asked.
Patience noted the murderous glare the viscount sent his brother.
