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

Clara shook her head.

“Write to your father and ask him if he sent him,” Audrey suggested.

“I have already written to Atticus,” Flo informed them. “I want to know if he sent Niall and if so, why he didn’t tell us. I don’t know what he thinks he is doing but it isn’t right for him to scare us like this. He could have had the decency to at least forewarn us that something was going on and we needed to be alert.”

“Well, until we know for certain who Niall and Will are, they both have to be kept away, I agree,” Audrey warned.

“Well, if it is that Niall out there watching the house and he is up to no good then we shall just have to make sure that he is thwarted whenever he tries to follow you, won’t we?” Sissy announced firmly.

“The villagers don’t know that he isn’t my fiancé,” Clara whispered.

“Oh, they already know,” Audrey sniffed. “We all guessed it wasn’t true when he looked like a stunned codfish the night that he beat the thug. However, he did look a little entranced by you, and was more than a little tender when he said goodbye, Clara.”

“I am not going to be romanced by any conniving miscreant,” Clara snorted.

“You needn’t worry about the ladies being annoyed. They understand given the circumstances and the man,” Audrey assured her. Her eyes twinkled mischievously. “I am sure they will be more than happy to thwart any scheming he might be involved in.”

“What about Erasmus? That person watching us, and that thug, might be connected to him,” Clara whispered.

“There is no reason why Erasmus cannot be thwarted in exactly the same way. I am sure the ladies will think of something,” Sissy assured her.

Audrey nodded. “Leave it to us. We will ensure that whoever is following you soon realises it is a lost cause.”

Audrey’s plan was put into motion as soon as the following morning. Clara was forced to go to the grocery for some supplies because Rita had escorted Aunt Flo into town. The alternative was to sit at home alone and fret all day, and Clara had already spent the better part of the last long and miserable night fretting enough already.

It was good to be outside. While the storm had passed a stiff breeze lingered, but it was refreshing rather than chilling and tugged and teased her as it danced about her skirts. She sucked in a deep breath and felt the burden of her worry melt away – for a few moments at last.

As she passed the woods at the side of the house, Clara glanced briefly at them. It was disconcerting to find herself scouring the shadows for signs of someone lurking. It made her nervous and on edge, and wishing she knew for sure if there was someone in there, but without going in there was there was no possibility she would ever find out.

Unless the man breaks his cover again.

Determined to put the entire matter out of her mind, for now at least, Clara turned into the main street and set about doing her shopping.

An hour later, she left the butchery and was about to turn toward home when she saw movement in the tavern doorway. Instinctively, she looked up to see who it was only to gasp when her gaze landed on Niall.

Across the fifty or so yards of distance, their gazes met. Clara instinctively felt her stomach flip over. She had only a vague impression of highly polishe

d boots and very expensive clothing. What captured her attention was just how handsome Niall was. Following that came the realisation that he was still in the village. Immediately, she began to wonder if it was one of his friends who had followed her and her friends last night. She wished she had the confidence to go over to him and demand answers, but she already knew how reticent he could be.

Without even acknowledging him, she looked away only to discover that she was compelled to look at him again. Her heart leapt when she saw he was purposefully striding toward her.

“Oh, dear, it looks like your soon-to-be-ex-fiancé wants a word with you,” Audrey suddenly murmured into her ear.

“Does Edith know that he isn’t Clara’s fiancé, Audrey?” Sissy asked curiously just a moment later when she came to join them.

“Are you two following me as well?”

Audrey and Sissy smiled at each other before they looked ruefully at Clara. “We are just keeping a friendly eye out for you, that’s all.”

“Thank you,” Clara whispered fervently.

“Watch,” Audrey murmured.

Clara lifted her brows. To her astonishment, when she looked at Niall again it was to see Edith suddenly leave her shop and place herself firmly in Niall’s path. He stumbled to a stop, so he didn’t slam into her and knock her off her feet. Once he was certain she was all right, he scowled down at her and muttered something.

“He doesn’t look very happy, does he?” Sissy whispered.

“He is probably annoyed that he hasn’t been able to follow her like he planned,” Audrey mused with no small amount of satisfaction.