A Terrible Misunderstanding (A New Adventure Begins - Star Elite 6)

“Are you not cross with me?”

“One should never lie, you know that,” Flo chided. “However, given what that Boyle boy did, it is understandable that you felt you should.”

Clara told her everything else.

“The Star Elite, eh? They are a dangerous lot, but you already know that,” Flo warned.

“He didn’t seem all that dangerous,” Clara whispered.

“No, they don’t, which is why they manage to catch the unwary off guard. They are merciless when crossed.” Flo frowned thoughtfully. “I wonder why he is here?”

“I wish I could ask father.”

“No. You mustn’t do that, dear. Not just yet anyway. Let’s leave it for now. I am sure that if your young man is one of them then he will make an appearance again sometime soon.”

“Niall is not my young man,” Clara countered flatly.

“Well, if he isn’t then he is a damned protective stranger,” Flo snorted.

“Aunt Flo, you should not swear like that,” Clara chided.

Flo threw her a dour look. “At my age there are not many things I cannot do. It is one of the few benefits of old age. Not many people can take you to task over things because you are old than them.”

Clara looked over her shoulder at the window. “Do you think it was Niall who Edith saw?”

“If not, then it was the reason why Niall is here, don’t you think?” Flo countered.

Clara looked at her aunt and was suddenly assailed by a trepidation that slammed into her with a ferocity that stole her breath.

“What do we do?” she demanded with eyes that were wide with fear.

Was it Erasmus who was trying to worry her? Was it Niall keeping watch, or another of the Star Elite out there watching her? If so, why? She jerked when her aunt answered her.

“Right now, dear, we wait.”

“For what?”

“The truth to unfold.”

Clara opened her mouth to tell her aunt that she had just told her the truth only to find herself standing all alone in the hallway. With a nervous look over her shoulder at the kitchen, Clara hurried after her aunt.

CHAPTER SIX

Once in the parlour, Flo demanded Clara tell her again what had happened with Erasmus. This time, she stopped Clara’s descriptive report each time she wanted to ask for more clarity. Only once Flo nodded sagely in understanding was Clara then allowed to proceed until almost everything had been relayed in exacting detail.

“Well, in my opinion your Niall is one of the Star Elite,” Flo murmured. “He is therefore someone who is most probably here because of something to do with your father. What that might be is anybody’s guess. I doubt your Niall is going to tell us even if we ask. Atticus can be closed mouthed about matters pertaining to his work and I don’t doubt your Niall will be just the same.”

“I do wish you would stop calling him ‘my Niall’,” Clara sighed.

“Well, he has to be considered your Niall seeing as everyone in the village now thinks you are engaged to the man,” Flo retorted.

“I wish I knew what Niall was up to,” Clara sighed. “I mean, why would father send him?”

“I don’t know much about what your father gets up to, or what this Star Elite actually do but I can assure you that Atticus wouldn’t send those men here without good reason. Because they are here, we must consider that there is some other threat in the area, and it doesn’t come from Erasmus,” Flo said.

Clara was shaken by the absolute certainty in her tone.

“It might also be best if you allow everyone in the village to think you are engaged to Niall for now. If there is someone nearby who is up to no good then they will have to get through your young man, and that isn’t going to be easy if he is one of the Star Elite,” Flo continued with an emphatic shake of her head.