‘What’s on Chapel Holm?’
Hartley shrugged. ‘Not much. There are the ruins of an old chapel to Our Lady. We think he went there. Nowhere else to go.’
‘Is he still there?’
‘No, we watched for ages– but then he left and took the boat out further into the lake. We lost sight of him, so we turned about and came to fetch you.’
‘Visiting an island isn’t a sign of anything nefarious,’ she said aloud, more to herself than her visitors.
‘Maybe not farious, but we think it is very suspicious,’ said Hartley.
‘Why?’ asked Ruby.
‘He carried in a bundle and didn’t come back with it.’ Hartley grinned. ‘We think he was leaving something behind he didn’t want anyone to find. If we’re quick, we can discover what it is before he goes back for it.’
* * *
Dora was facing a dilemma. She had given her word she wouldn’t go out, but it seemed that if she was going to take advantage of what the boys had discovered, that needed to be done at once.
Ruby followed her into her bedroom and watched her change into her breeches. ‘You’re leaving me again, aren’t you?’
‘Ruby, I’m going to need you to give my apologies to Jacob.’ Dora put a skirt over the top to hide the trousers. As a last-minute thought, she went to the needlework box and drew out a steel knitting needle and slipped it down beside the central wooden support in her stays. One never knew. ‘Explain what happened and why I had to go. I’ll be careful and I’m in the company of the boys. No one is likely to try anything with two witnesses at hand. With any luck, I might even be back before Jacob returns.’
‘What about me?’
‘Eat biscuits. Make some more soup. Don’t let anyone in that you don’t know.’
Ruby went to the mirror and brushed a stray curl behind her ear. Her eyes met Dora’s in the reflection. ‘You will take care, won’t you? This isn’t fun anymore. People are getting hurt.’
Dora went to her friend and gave her a gentle hug. ‘Look after yourself and the child you’re carrying.’
‘I’m scared, Dora.’
‘Don’t be.’
‘I thought the viscount might come back for me. He said he was considering it, that he could find a place for the child when she grew on one of his estates, that wasn’t a problem, but he’s vanished. What if you vanish too?’
Dora doubted Jacob’s brother would keep his word, not when it was simpler to ride away and forget the complication that was Ruby. ‘Jacob and I have agreed we will make sure you are comfortably situated so don’t get anxious about the future.’
‘It’ll be just my luck that you both get killed by this mad person and I’ll be alone again.’ She pulled a wry expression. ‘Sorry.’
Dora chuckled. That was the Ruby she knew and loved in her own maddening way. ‘I’ll be careful and promise that no crazed person will take me down. Not today.’
Ruby accompanied her to the door where the boys were anxiously waiting. ‘The problem is that no one plans to allow that to happen to them. It just does, particularly when they’re like you and run straight into danger.’
‘It’s the only way I know how to live.’
* * *
Dora was having second thoughts by the time they reached Waterhead and the boatyard.
‘Perhaps you two had better stay behind,’ she said as the boat owner readied the little skiff for her.
‘No, miss, we’re coming,’ said Derwent. ‘You don’t know the way. There’s lots of islands.’
‘It will be quicker with us,’ said Hartley.
Her thoughts went back to the cottage and the duelling pistols Jacob travelled with. Should she have brought one of those with her? Too late to go back now.
