Mandy

On top of that, was the problem of clearing Ned’s name and getting it done as quickly as he was able. Matters were getting murky and although he was certain he knew Skip too well to be brought to believe that he had anything to do with Celia’s death, he was concerned about getting to the entire truth of the matter. Why hadn’t Skip mentioned his connection to her earlier? Was that what was pecking at the viscount?

He moved to the balcony, throwing off his buckskin waistcoat and standing just outside the balcony door to breathe in the sultry night air, when something caught his attention and he went perfectly still.

A dark clad figure moved stealthy across the lawns.

He recognized the shape and style of movement and knew immediately who the darkly clad figure was. What in thunder was going on?

“Devil a bit!” he mumbled. Skip! So that was it—the viscount had turned in early because he wanted to sneak off. Why?

Just what the deuce was going on here? He had almost confided in the viscount that he had met the twins and knew where they were hiding. Now, he was glad he had held his tongue. It appeared the viscount had a secret or two of his own.

Sleep had not come easy after that. He was sick at heart because Skip was such a dear friend and this was disconcerting. He just didn’t know what to make of it, as no explanation that made any sense sat well with him.

He left his bed early in the morning as the sun streamed through the window whose drapes he had not closed. His heart and head both felt heavy.

Conjectures pounded in his brain as he washed and shaved. He donned buckskin riding clothes and his shining hessians, but he was torn about what he was going to do with regard to the viscount.

He found upon entering the breakfast room that he wouldn’t have to deal with it, as the viscount had already gone off, which did nothing to relieve his concerns.

By damn, he told himself, he was going to get to the bottom of this.

* * *

Mandy’s sleep had been fitful. She had risen washed her face and hands with cold water and thrown on one of her brother’s fresh shirts. It hung to her knees and she grimaced over the way she looked. At first, this had all been a grand adventure. Even dressing in boy’s clothing had been so very exciting. Now, with no end in sight, she was beginning to feel ‘blue deviled’.

She went looking for him and found him sitting outside in the shade of the overhang of the abbey’s Chapel. “‘Tis so hot, isn’t it Neddy?” she said as she dropped beside him and nudged his arm with her shoulder.

“Aye,” he agreed but gave her a grin. “More than usual, I suppose.”

“And that dried beef was an awful breakfast. I was giving some thought to going into Manchester where no one knows us and have a decent meal at an Inn. Could we, Ned?”

“Coo,” stuck in Chauncey coming around the corner at that moment. “Of all the addle-brained notions, missy. Some picture the three of us would set and with the likes of Fowler nosing about, it just won’t serve.”

“But Chauncey, Mandy has a point,” Ned stuck in. “Manchester is big enough and too full of odd sorts for us to be noticed. And I’m hungry for a decent meal too.”

“Lord love ye, children and children is whot ye be, not thinking it out.” He sighed heavily and offered, “I’ll see what I can do. Have a fancy for pigeon pie meself.” He stretched his husky limbs and announced, “Think I’ll pay a visit to m’darlin’ Bess. ‘Tis time I gave her a song.”

“At Sherborne?” Mandy objected fearfully. “Oh Chauncey…no, not now…anyone could see you.”

“Ain’t a fool, missy and ye would do best to remember that. I’ll just catch one of the boys in the field and send him to fetch Bess to me with what we need. There isn’t a Sherborne servant not wishing to help ye and Ned. So don’t be worrying yerself. I won’t be long.” He eyed Ned. “Ye can come along for the ride, but keep yer cap hat tucked in low over yer face.”

“Well then, why can’t I come with you?”

“I need Ned to help me carry the supplies, but it would be best if we didn’t stir up any dust for anyone to follow. Ye stay here. If we get nabbed I don’t want ye caught up in it.”

Mandy sighed for she knew that Chauncey would hog-tie her to a post if he had to just to keep her from following.

She watched them go and sat back against the limestone wall. At least it was cool against the stone in the shade. Bored silly, she closed her eyes, but when something, she wasn’t sure what, startled her and she opened them, it was to find a pair of deep and twinkling blue eyes regarding her.

Her heart began thumping hard within her chest. She jumped to her feet, but her knees threatened to cave and she held her palm against the stone wall as she tried to sound casual. Instead of light and unconcerned her voice came out of her throat with a squeak, before she was able to clear it and coherently say, “Oh—but you did give me a start.” Hearing the words stagger out of her mouth made her cheeks get hot while her mind got fuzzy. She felt a fool which did nothing to help her compose herself.

“Did I?” he said as he somehow moved in and towered over her. “I had no intention of doing so, but perhaps it may serve as a warning in the future, after all, it could have been anyone.”

He was infuriating. Here she was flustered by his big handsome self and all he could do was find fault with her. She put her hand on her hip and moved away from him saying over her shoulder, “I should have known you would start the day out with some odious remark. I suppose ‘tis in your nature.”

He managed to get in front of her and block her path, ignoring her words to ask, “Where are Ned and Chauncey? Why are you here alone?”

“If you must know, they went off to get some food…as our breakfast of dried beef was sorely lacking,” she answered on a sigh.