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"My daughter, a flower of woth of the roo "Innocent of the ways of the world, sheltered all her life, accosted not half a mile from her childhood home Ha! Haven’t had a murder in Maiden Hill in a quarter century Five and twenty years! And then you show up"
The captain halted in midpace between the mantel and a table set with naval bric-a-brac He drew an enor Silish, ah, er" His lips moved as he searched for the word
"Wenches," Hedge supplied
The ht in the tea earlier, instead of Betsy or Mrs Brodie, apparently to deny Sie still lurked, fiddling with the silverware as an excuse, listening eagerly
The captain glared "Ladies" He transferred his glower to Simon "Never have I heard of such villainy, sirrah! What do you have to say for yourself? Eh? Eh?"
"I say you’re quite right, Captain" Simon leaned back wearily on the settee "Except for the ‘meek and dutiful’ part With all due respect, sir, I’ve not noticed Miss Craddock-Hayes to be either"
"You dare, sir, after nearly causing hter’s death!" The older"Ha Have you packed off froone, I will I’ll not stand for it Lucy’s the very heart and soul of this community Many people, not just me, hold her dear I’ll see you run out of town on a rail, tarred and feathered, if I have to!"
"Cor!" Hedge interjected, his eh, it was hard to tell whether fro a hed His head was beginning to hurt Thisfear he had ever felt, wondering if a bullet would kill the precious creature beneath hio mad if it did, terrified he would be unable to save her He never wanted to feel that helpless dread for another’s life again Of course, he hadn’t had round since Lucy’s soft limbs interposed themselves between his body and the earth And hadn’t that been wonderful in a heart-stoppingly god-aay? To feel what he’d vowed he never would--her face next to his, her ruroin Even in the midst of his horror that this was all his fault, that his very presence had put her life in danger, even with layer upon layer of good English cloth between them, even then he’d responded to her But Siet a rise out of him if he were ten days dead, and it certainly wouldn’t be of the religious variety
"I apologize er, Captain," he said now "I assure you, though I know it does little good at this late date, that had I any inkling she would be imperiled, I would’ve slit my orists rather than see her hare made a derisive sound, oddly effective despite its wordlessness
The captainminute "Ha," he finally said "Pretty words, but I think you e looked as startled as Simon felt
"Still want you out of this house," the captain grunted
Sis, and I’ve sent word to Mr Fletcher at his inn We will be out within the hour"
"Good" The captain took a seat and contee hurried over with a cup of tea
The older e water Get the brandy, e reverently opened a cupboard and brought out a cut-glass decanter half-full with a rich aht the wistfully at the decanter
"Oh, go ahead," the captain said
Hedge poured hi
"To the fairer sex," Sirue tossed back his brandy in one gulp, then closed his eyes and shuddered "Wonnerful stuff, that"
"Indeed Know a sler on the coast," the captain er once you leave?"
"No" Siainst the back of the settee The brandy was fine, but it merely made his head worse "They’re after me, and like the jackals they are, they’ll follow the scent away from here once I leave"
"You admit you know these murderers?"
Simon nodded, eyes closed
"Same ones as left you for dead?"
"Or their hired thugs"
"What’s all this about, eh?" the captain growled "Tell e" Simon opened his eyes
The old man didn’t blink "Yours or theirs?"
"Mine"
"Why?"
Si it paint the interior "They killed my brother"
"Ha" The older man drank to that "Then I wish you luck Elsewhere"
"I thank you" Silass and stood
"’Course, you knohat they say about revenge"
Simon turned and asked the question, because it was expected and because the old ht to hope for "What?"
"Be careful with revenge" The captain grinned like an evil old troll "Sometimes it twists around and bites you on the arse"
LUCY STOOD AT HER NARROW BEDROOMoverlooking the drive and watched Mr Hedge and Sie They appeared to be arguing over how to stack the luggage Mr Hedge was gesticulating wildly, the valet had a sneer on his unco the box in question was staggering They didn’t look like they would have the project done anytih she’d known this day would co it, and now that it was here, she feltwhat?