Mandy

“Aunt Agatha has inherited Celia’s funds…all of them. Apparently from what Sarah overheard, they are while not sizeable, quite enough to cover Aunt Agatha’s debts and then some.” She glanced around and found that the duke was the only one who seemed to appreciate the significance of this.

Ned shrugged and asked, “What’s that got to do with anything? ‘Tis only natural that she would inherit as I’m not supposing poor Celia even had a will. No doubt it was that trust fund she had inherited from her father. Stands to reason his wife would inherit it.”

“Precisely. Ned, don’t you see? Aunt Agatha must have known that.” She made an impatient sound and added, “Aunt Agatha was in dire straits. Sarah told me Rawlings had said that she needed Celia’s money.”

“Gadzooks, sis,” Ned said as dawning lit on his face. “But, you aren’t suggesting she was wicked enough and strong enough to strangle Celia… are you?”

“Yes I am,” Mandy said. “Aunt is a large woman. Uncle used to call her ‘his Amazon’ and I believe she is most capable of doing the awful deed. She despised Celia, you know and perhaps she was just desperate enough.” She frowned and wagged a finger in the air at no one in particular, “I suggest to you, that it is as likely she killed her as you did.”

“Well, it certainly gives her motive,” the duke said quietly. “Even though, if she was hoping to get the entire Sherborne estate if Ned were incarcerated, she would not. It is entailed and would go to you Mandy, though the title would go to the closest living Sherborne.”

“Yes, but I am out of the way, am I not, as Ned is, we are fugitives and once your guardianship is over, she would take the running and handling of our accounts, wouldn’t she?”

The duke’s brows went up, “I suppose she might try, though I should not allow that to occur and would tie it up in the courts, so you have no fear on that side.”

“That is not my point. My point is that Aunt Agatha had motive for killing Celia.” Mandy returned.

No one spoke for a moment and then the duke said, “Indeed, it is worth thinking about, but my instincts tells me that while it was I believe in your Aunt’s eyes, a lucky convenience for Celia to die at this time; I don’t believe she was the murderer.”

“Aye,” said Ned. “I’m with the duke on that score. Don’t like our aunt, but don’t think she murdered Celia.” He turned to Chauncey, “What do you think ‘ole boy?”

“’Ole boy, is it? I’ll pull yer whiskers, I will young’un,” Chauncey said with a grin and then rolled his lips upwards to add, “No, never cared much for your aunt, but I’m with the duke on this as well. Don’t think she was the murderer.” He got to his feet and announced, “Going down to the river. Do a little fishing.”

Ned scrambled up, took a couple of tarts and wrapped them in his plaid napkin and said, “Capital idea!” He turned to the duke. “Do you join us?”

“Not now lads, but enjoy and stay out of sight,” the duke warned.

Mandy watched them leave and suddenly found herself wrapped in the duke’s arms. He snuggled her ear and whispered, “I can’t get you out of my mind. Kiss me woman,” and without waiting for her to comply, he bent his head and lightly brushed her lips with his own.

Magic, bright and shiny magic.

That was what he was, like a star she had somehow found, reached for and actually touched. She closed her eyes as she kissed him back and softly told him, “I had not expected you back today.”

“I was worried when I left. I wasn’t sure Chauncey would come back with anything substantial for you to eat, and my gamine, you seem to be getting thinner each day. I wanted to bring you some food and make certain you ate,” he answered on a frown. His hand flicked her nose as he released her. He didn’t wait for a reply but sighed and commented thoughtfully, “There is, however, something about the Barings in York that nips at my memory.”

“What do you mean?”

“I am not certain, but it will come to me.” He stared down into her eyes and she felt her breathing quicken. “When this is all behind us, I mean to give you a London Season and see you established as you should be.”

Her jaw dropped with her heart into the pit of her stomach. She couldn’t speak. What was he saying? He wanted to marry her off to another? Was he already thinking of how he would be rid of her?

“I see,” she said quietly.

“Now, I must go, but don’t leave the Abbey while your brother is gone, if not for me, for him.”

“I would never do anything to hurt my brother, so please don’t feel it necessary to point out what I should or shouldn’t do. I don’t like it,” she answered curtly.

He eyed her oddly, “No, I don’t suppose you do.” He bent to brush her lips with his own but she took a step back from him and he stopped and frowned down at her before saying, “Till later, love.”

She watched as he strode to the barn and then watched as he mounted his horse and started off. He looked back at her and his blue eyes twinkled even as his lips curved into a warm smile.

Against her will, her hand moved to wave. What was wrong with her? She stood like a love-struck simpleton, waving at a man who would forget her the moment she was out of sight.

She rebuked herself as soon as she could no longer see him in the distance. She had wanted to experience what it would be like to have the woman in her aroused by such a man. Right. She had and it had been all consuming and now?

Now she had gone and done it. In love, desperately in love, but happy? Oh, no. She was in love with a man who wanted to give her a season and be rid of her.

Fine. Just fine.