Perhaps Mr. Harris was a new supplier for Mr. Miles, with Mr. St. Vincent dead? That led her to another line of questioning. If Mr. Miles thought what he had paid Mr. St. Vincent was too much for the drugs he in turn sold, would he have murdered Mr. St. Vincent to be able to cut a better deal with whoever inherited the shipping company?
On the other hand, perhaps the new owner would not want to take up an illegal trade at all. Unless Mr. Miles had known Mr. Harris before now.
Now that was an interesting idea.
The evening passed in pleasant conversation, with a few hardy dances and a light supper at the end. Feeling quite happy with herself, Amy left on William’s arm and headed to his carriage. Aunt Margaret and her escort had disappeared more than an hour before, which had Amy grinning.
And speculating.
As she and William walked from the building to where the carriages were all lined up awaiting their passengers, her eye was caught by Mr. Miles and Lady Carlisle in a deep discussion that appeared not at all friendly.
Mrs. Miles stood by, looking oblivious as her son and Lady Carlisle argued. When the pair noticed several people watching them, Mr. Miles made one final comment, then turned and stormed off. After a few steps, he quickly returned for his mother and nearly dragged the poor woman to their carriage.
Lord Carlisle exited the building then, looked around the group, and joined his wife, who looked none too happy. With a brief word to her, he took her arm, and they headed toward their carriage.
“What do you suppose that was all about?” William asked as he assisted Amy into the coach. He climbed in after her and settled on the seat across.
Amy pulled her wrap closer, a sudden chill overtaking her. “I have no idea. I can’t imagine what the two of them would have to disagree about so vehemently. Especially in public.”
Slowly the line of vehicles rolled away from the building as she and William recounted the evening and she chastised him for not dancing with her.
“My dear Lady Amy, you were a popular partner this evening. Every time a new number started and I looked for you, you had already been taken.”
Amy sniffed and raised her chin in the air, trying her best to hide her grin. “Perhaps the next time you could walk a bit faster toward me?”
He bowed. “Next time I shall race to your side.”
They both laughed, just as a splintering sound echoed in the carriage. Immediately the vehicle began to sway. Amy was thrown against the wall, and as William reached out for her, he was tossed to the floor, where they both landed in a heap.
The carriage leaned to one side, and Amy reached up to catch the strap. “What was that?”
William grabbed her around the waist, hauled her back onto the seat, and held on tight. “I would guess one of the wheels snapped.”
The sound of the driver’s shouts to the horses surpassed the noise from the vehicle bumping along. The carriage slowed and then came to an abrupt stop. Thank goodness William still held her tightly or she would have been tossed to the floor again. Her whole body shook, and she had to force her stomach not to bring up her last meal.
She turned and looked at him, suddenly feeling light-headed. “What happened?”
Before he could answer, black dots appeared in her eyes and she slumped against his body.
CHAPTER 21
Amy attempted to swat away the annoying insect that kept tapping her cheek, but she was unable to lift her arm, which felt quite heavy.
“Amy. Talk to me, Amy. Come on, love, wake up.” William’s voice, raspy for some reason, filtered into her brain just as she realized she was lying on his lap. She quickly sat up and groaned, grabbing her aching head.
“Thank God.” William rested his chin on her head.
“What happened?” She looked up at him and braced herself for bad news, given the serious expression on his face.
“You passed out just as the carriage came to a stop.”
Then she remembered. The carriage wheel had broken, and she and William had been tossed around a bit. Her shoulder hurt, and she was certain her body would be black-and-blue in parts tomorrow.
The door to the carriage stood open, and William’s driver stepped up to the opening. “It’s like I thought, milord. The back wheel snapped. We’re lucky it wasn’t worse.”
“Yes, I agree, it could have been quite serious.” William moved to exit the seriously tilting vehicle. It shifted again, and Amy squealed and grasped the edges of the seat.
William sat back down. “John, reach in and take Lady Amy’s hand and help her out. I’m afraid my weight might cause more damage to our situation if I climb out first.”