Niles’s jaw clenched, his frustration evident, but he nodded. “I’ll walk you back to the manor.”
“Cousin…” Charles began again, his face a portrait of guilt. “I am so, so sorry.”
Elsbeth gave him a faint smile, trying to ease his obvious distress. “I know you are, Charles,” she said. Without waitingfor a reply, she turned towards the path leading back to her stepfather’s estate.
Niles fell into step beside her, his watchful gaze flicking towards her every few moments.
“You don’t need to keep looking at me like that,” she said. “I’m fine.”
Niles leaned in slightly, lowering his voice. “I don’t trust your cousin.”
Elsbeth halted abruptly, spinning to face him. “Not this again. Why?”
“What if that shot wasn’t an accident?”
Her breath caught. “Why would you even suggest such a thing?”
He stepped closer, his piercing gaze holding hers. “It seems… convenient,” he said carefully. “If something were to happen to you, your dowry would revert to the estate. To Charles.”
Her mouth fell open in shock. “You can’t honestly believe Charles would intentionally try to harm me!”
“I’m saying it’s not out of the realm of possibility,” Niles replied, his voice unwavering.
She scoffed, turning away from him. “That’s absurd,” she muttered, quickening her pace.
Niles caught up easily, falling into stride beside her. “Just think on it,” he pressed.
“I don’t need to think on it,” she retorted, her voice rising with frustration. “Charles would never hurt me. He’s my family.”
“And didn’t you say he’s desperate to save his estate?” Niles countered.
“Yes, I did. But what you’re suggesting is… it’s ludicrous!”
Niles didn’t reply immediately, but the weight of his silence said everything.
They continued towards the manor in silence, and withevery step Elsbeth took, she grew more outraged by Niles’s suggestion. Charles would never try to kill her. She was sure of that. It had just been an accident.
So why did she feel a little uneasy?
When she arrived at the manor, Niles rushed ahead to open the door and followed her into the entry hall. He turned towards the butler and ordered, “Lady Elsbeth would care for a cup of tea.”
Elsbeth bristled, shooting him a glare. “You do not get to give orders in my home, my lord.”
“I merely thought a cup of tea might help calm your nerves.”
She opened her mouth to retort but stopped herself as she caught the genuine concern in his expression. Despite her irritation, she couldn’t deny that tea sounded like a good idea.
As if sensing her inner turmoil, Niles stepped closer. “I’m glad you’re all right.”
She softened at his words, murmuring, “Thank you.”
“But I do think you should take a moment to yourself and rest,” he encouraged. “What happened today… what almost happened toyou…” His words trailed off, his voice tight with emotion.
For reasons she couldn’t quite explain, Elsbeth reached out, resting a hand on his sleeve. “I do appreciate your concern.”
He paused, glancing down at her hand on his arm. “We are friends, aren’t we?”
She tilted her head. “Are we?”
