Page 13 of The Gift of Patience
He could feel Miss Whitford’s excitement beside him. God help them all. Next, he felt her hand on his arm, and she gave it a small squeeze, which felt like a hot poker branding him.
“Thank you,” she said, still much too close to him. She was muddling his good sense.
“For what?” he asked, staring at her hand on his arm. Normally, he detested people touching him, but he was unsure of what to make of it.
“For not dismissing our help. I promise you will not regret it.”
“That is an impossible promise to make. “
His eyes flitted from her hand, still on his arm, to her eyes. Another mistake. Those azure blue eyes were bewitching. Mesmerizing.
Her gaze narrowed.” I do not know why you insist on finding me meddlesome,” she said tartly, thankfully breaking the spell.
“If the shoe fits, as they say,” he said, pushing back from his chair and tossing his napkin on the table. “Miss Whitford,” he said, with a bow that he feared was a bit too mocking. But he had to get away from there before he said what he really thought, or she put some sort of hex on him.
CHAPTER 4
Patience was changed into her riding habit and downstairs in record time. Her body was thrumming with the excitement of having something interesting to do. Granted, she would not be in any danger searching in a group, but nevertheless, they had been included. It had probably galled Major Stuart to allow them, but at least he’d been reasonable.
When they had all gathered, Westwood took them to the muniment room where wooden shelves with ledgers lined three of the walls, and a long oaken table with chairs was the centrepiece of the room. There was a large a map of the estate framed upon the remaining wall, which he was now pointing to. “Some of Ashley’s troop may be joining us later to help search, but until then we shall divide into five groups.”
Why would Major Stuart’s troop be called in for this? Patience frowned. It must be more serious than they’d let on to involve them.
He pointed to an area from the front drive which ended at the barn, and spoke to the steward. “Kerr, you take Miss Joy and Mr. Cunningham and search here.”
“From the barn and stables to the chapel will be Monty, Grace, and Chauncy, the head groom.”
“Myself, Ashley, and Patience will take the area from the path to the river, the dovecote, and the lane to the boathouse by the lake.”
Patience surmised this was the area of highest suspicion, and felt honoured to be included in that group. Though it was likely only so he could keep a close eye on her. She almost snorted aloud.
“The groundskeeper and his crew will search from there back to the other side of the drive to the property. Anything that looks suspicious at all—any newly turned earth, fresh footprints, or wheel tracks, anywhere that would be good for hiding—people or goods—we wish to know about. At no time will you put yourself in danger. If you find something, report back here, and Lady Westwood will send someone to find me.”
Patience looked at her sister, very large with child, and could see she was disappointed not to be included in the search.
“There will also be grooms to assist. The faster we can cover every inch of the estate, the better. I suggest spreading out at equal distances and going from edge to edge methodically. The wooded areas will have to be traversed on foot but are more likely hiding areas. We will rendezvous in three hours at the stables. Any questions?”
When no one had anything further, the group headed to the stables, where the grooms were leading mounts out for everyone.
Major Stuart boosted Patience up into her saddle, then mounted on his own magnificent beast, a blond gelding, which suited his own fair colouring perfectly.
He looked to see that she was ready, then turned his horse and urged him forward. She followed along, pulling up beside him as they rode to their designated area. “Is there anythingin particular we are looking for? Anything Westwood did not mention?”
He looked at her sideways. “Why would you ask that?”
“It seems as though we are looking for more than an intruder, is all. Your troop is coming to help, and he told us to look for freshly turned earth. Unless you suspect someone of digging graves, why would we be looking for that?”
She could see his jaw clench. She had hit a nerve. But why? What was he keeping from them? Instead of persisting, she decided to hone her energy into the search. If he did not wish to tell her what she was searching for, then she would look for everything!
They took the path she was so fond of walking upon, and she searched diligently, even though they had not yet split up. When they reached the clearing near the bridge, where she had found the campsite, Major Stuart stopped.
“I believe the best course of action is to dismount and go on foot from here. We have not yet searched much beyond this clearing.”
Patience slid from her mount and tied her up, where Midnight could still graze. Then she began to untie the skirt she had wrapped over the breeches she’d worn for such an occasion like this. When she turned around, she caught Major Stuart staring as though he were in pain.
She had shocked him. It served him right if he disapproved. Behaving with perfect propriety did not suit him either. “Are you all right?” she asked sweetly.
“Perfectly fine,” he growled through gritted teeth.
