“No? Who then? Something went wrong last night,” David Horwich snapped angrily. He had left his parent’s home in a rage and needed an outlet. He pulled hard on his horse that had been nibbling at the grass and jerked the poor animal to attention.
“Mayhap the flaskers are running their course,” Swit answered with a dark frown.
“Don’t be a stupid fool. No drop has occurred, no land runners, no gentlemen last night.” David shook his head. “You are the problem, you careless dolt. You have talked out of turn and that is why our man didn’t show at the Mermaid.”
“Don’t be talking rum at me, David. You know better than that. After my close call in London, I don’t take any chances.”
“What about Sir Jacob? Does he suspect?”
“No. He thinks that I am no more than a skirter, sponging off his generosity,” he grinned wide. “I suppose I am.”
“And the Scotsman? What about him? Damn his soul to bloody hell! Why is he up at the Towers?”
“Can’t figure him out yet. Seems to be on a lark but he does seem to care about the lad. He may has another agenda altogether. Just can’t put my finger on it.” He shrugged. “I do know that he has a younger brother on Wellington’s staff…in Brussels. Mayhap he thinks he’ll make his way there from the Dover port? Not sure.”
“At any rate, something scared off our man last night,” David sighed heavily. “The plan now is to meet tomorrow at the Red Bull. This time, I’ll go. You stay and keep an eye on MacTorry. I don’t trust him.”
“Why? I can’t see him interested in anything we might be up to.”
“Just a hunch, Swit. If he is just here for a diversion from his regular haunts, perhaps we can help him along his merry road and keep him occupied. We need to make sure that he is damn well out of my way.”
“How?” Swit grinned. He was jealous of the Scotsman and his superior attitude galled on him. He knew his lordship was no fool.
“You’ll see, but first things first. We have to get through tomorrow night’s business, and then we’ll bring the Scotsman down a peg.” David sneered.
“Aye, then, I like the way you think Horwich,” Swit said. As he looked into David Horwich’s eyes, it occurred to him that the man was dangerous. He had always lived life on the edge. He had never really crossed the line he had drawn for himself a long time ago. He talked a good game, but he was born gentry. Although he was left to raise himself, he knew when to back away. David Horwich, however had the look of a man who was determined to get what he wanted at any cost.
If there wasn’t a jest, or enough of a profit in the game, Jerry wasn’t keen on it. In addition to that, he had his own set of rules. Horwich was quite another story. He reminded himself to never give the bloke his back.
~ Fifteen ~
A SMALL FIRE burned in the grate and X put her hands to it and remembered the fire his lordship had started for them in the cottage three long days ago.
Mary had indeed spoken to her husband, and he had, in fact, been both shocked and irritated with his son. He had also decided that Exerilla should not go alone any longer to Cressly Towers, which could diminish her reputation and do damage to theirs.
Even though she was still allowed to ride Jack, which she had over the past few days, she had not seen his lordship, only David. She was both bored and, pining for Hunter MacTorry’s company.
Mary eyed her from her chair where she worked her tapestry and said, “What is it, Exerilla, you seem blue-deviled.” She clucked her tongue and added, “Missing your little afternoons at the Towers I suspect and I am so sorry for it.”
“Nonsense, I am fine,” Exerilla returned as brightly as she could muster.
“Nonsense, is it? You have been pacing yourself into a frenzy and as glum as a girl could be these last few days. Is it David? Have you run into him on one of your rides? Did he bother you in any way?”
She had seen David the day before, when he met her while she was riding on the post road. He had been both aloof and gentlemanly, surprising Exerilla and greatly relieved. “No, no, David has done nothing further to make me uncomfortable.”
Anne appeared at the sitting room door and announced with a smile, “Lord MacTorry and Sir Jacob.”
Exerilla actually felt the breath in her lungs travel to her throat and get stuck. Her heart began to beat at a threatening pace. Her knees began to quiver, and she was glad she was seated.
Both gentlemen strode into the room, looking merry and ready to do much more than the polite as they greeted first Mary Horwich and then turned to her.
Exerilla smoothed the neatly fitted skirt of her mint green day gown over her lap, pleased that she had worn this color which always made her green eyes greener. She couldn’t believe she was preening for a man she would have to say good-bye to in a few months.
His glance took her in from the top of her black hair, right down to her little slippers. She saw the glint in his blue eyes as he looked her over and she felt a rush of pleasure.
All at once, Sir Jacob pushed him aside and laughed, “Out of my way, man, and allow me to greet Miss Radley properly.”
She laughed and saw his lordship’s eyes fill with amusement, “Out of your way?” He shook his head and took the hand she reached out to give him, bending low over her ungloved fingers, putting them to his lips in a way that sent sparks skittering up her arm, and straight to her fluttering heart.