Winston gave Bennett a pointed look. “It might be best if you joined us.”
In a swift motion, Bennett rose and followed the other men out of the room. None of them spoke as they headed towards the study in the rear of the manor.
Once they stepped into the study, Winston closed the door behind him. “That note was from Jasper, the Bow Street Runner I hired to keep an eye on Isaac.”
His father walked over to the drink cart and picked up the decanter. “Can this Jasper be trusted to be discreet?”
“Yes, I have used him on a few of my cases,” Winston replied. “Jasper suspects that Isaac has learned of Aunt Sarah’s location and is on his way to our village.”
“But we have been so careful, especially of late,” his father said, his hand stilling with the decanter.
“That may be true, but we need to be extra vigilant for the time being,” Winston remarked. “Which is why I asked Jasper to come to the village and keep watch on Aunt Sarah.”
His father poured three drinks before placing the decanter down on the tray. “I want Isaac nowhere near Sarah.”
“That will be hard, considering Isaac is her husband. He has every right to take her away,” Bennett acknowledged.
Picking up a glass, his father brought it to his lips while saying, “Isaac is a blackguard.”
“I won’t disagree with you, but you will need to keep your distance from Aunt Sarah and her son until we are sure it is safe,” Bennett said.
Winston bobbed his head in agreement. “I explained Aunt Sarah’s circumstances and he suggested we move her to another residence for now. I will know more once Jasper arrives tomorrow.”
His father tossed back his drink and slammed the glass onto the tray. “I do not like this. Not one bit. What if I paid Isaac off to leave Sarah alone?”
“If you did such a thing, you could put Aunt Sarah at greater risk,” Winston responded. “Just trust me. I will ensure your sister and son remain safe.”
Bennett saw the reluctant nod of his father’s head before Lord Dallington departed from the room without another word.
Winston sighed. “Father doesn’t like not being in control.”
“No, he does not,” Bennett agreed.
“Well, I should retire for the evening,” Winston said as he picked up one of the glasses of port. “I have work I need to see to.”
Bennett arched an eyebrow. “You do not wish to rejoin the ladies?”
“Good gads, no,” Winston huffed. “I would prefer the silence of my bedchamber to the incessant chatter of our sisters.”
As Winston walked off, Bennett could almost see his brother’s shoulders weighed down with burdens. His brother had always been more serious in nature than him, but now Winston seemed dreadfully unhappy.
The sun was low in the sky as Delphine walked down the path that led towards the stables. She had woken up early and had decided to take a walk. If she wasn’t injured, she would have asked to go riding. Quite frankly, she preferred to go riding.
As she approached the stables, a groom dropped a cloth into a bucket and asked, “Would you care to ride, my lady?”
“No, thank you,” she replied. “I just wanted to come meet the horses.”
The groom opened the door. “You are more than welcome. Let me know if you require any assistance.”
Delphine stepped into the stables and started walking down the center aisle. There were many magnificent horses but one caught her eye above the rest. It was a black horse that was in the back stall.
“Good morning,” she said in a gentle voice. She wanted to make her presence known without scaring the horse.
The horse shook its head in response.
She came to a stop in front of the stall, being mindful to keep enough distance between her and the horse. “Why is no one riding you?” she asked.
The groom spoke up from the door. “I would keep your distance from that one, my lady. Hercules is headstrong.”
