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CHAPTER14
The streets of Collacott ran downhill like narrow, cobbled vines and converged at the mouth of the ocean. Pippa stepped down the familiar rocky lane, passing the dark-trimmed houses that ran together along the road. The blue ocean sparkled below her at the base of the hill. The afternoon sun beat down, though its rays could not be felt on the crisp, autumn day.
Pippa waved to Mrs. Nibley, who leaned out her upper story window, hanging wet laundry on a line.
Pippa and Elinor had managed to gather an abundance of pears from their old trees over the previous few days, and quite a few pears sat snugly in her basket now. She pulled the handle higher on her arm and turned the corner sharply at the break in the buildings toward the Burkes’ house.
A man stood in the center of the path, looking down at a small book in his hands, and Pippa was forced to pull herself up to avoid running directly into him.
He didn’t appear to notice her, and Pippa waited a moment before she cleared her throat. He glanced up, his startled gaze widening.
“Forgive me,” Pippa said. She gestured to the dark, painted door behind him. “I’m trying to reach that door.”
“Oh, I see.” He gave her a wide smile. “No one is home, I’m afraid. I knocked just a few minutes ago.”
“Do you need to find the Burkes?”
“Yes.” His smile didn’t slip, and his gaze turned calculating. “I’m told Mr. Burke is the man to speak to regarding my fishing questions.”
“He’s likely gone on to Upper Mowstead to deliver last night’s load.”
The man nodded, rubbing his fingers over his chin. “Do you know when I can expect him to return?”
“I do not, sorry. But I’m certain if you’re only after fishing questions, any man in Collacott could answer you.”
His fingers stilled on his chin, and his gaze swept over her in a calculating manner. “What of the women? Do you lot know much about the fishermen?”
Fishermen? Not fishing? Unease crept into Pippa’s stomach and turned it over. The man’s beady gaze was fastened on her, and she wished she could peel it off.
She did her best to give him a friendly smile, despite her reservations. “Depends on what you’d like to know.”
“Of course. I’ve been quite rude. Forgive me.” He removed his hat and dipped in a bow. His dark, wavy hair thinned on top, though he didn’t appear much older than William or even his cousin Roger. “Mr. Ainsworth, ma’am. I’ve come to inspect the fishing practices of a certain gentleman and his...men. Mr. Richard Blakemore, in fact. Are you familiar with the man?”
“Vaguely,” Pippa said. Though she knew Mr. Blakemore hadn’t fished once since arriving in Collacott—his son and cousin had. “Might I ask what business you have with him?” And furthermore, what sort of business would lead him to question Mr. Burke instead of Black Heart Blakemore himself? It would seem that Pippa had been correct in her initial estimations of this man. He was certainly up to something.
“It is a matter of the law, ma’am. I am not able to say more than that, you understand.” Mr. Ainsworth took a small step forward, his thick eyebrows inching closer together. “Do you know much about the Blakemores, ma’am?”
She swallowed, keeping her face impassive. “They are relative strangers, Mr. Ainsworth. I’m not sure anyone in Collacott knows much about them yet.”
“Ah, of course.” He sent her a wide smile and placed his hat back on his head. “I plan to stay at the White Swan Inn. If you hear of anything untoward, please send word to me there.”
He began to walk away and Pippa called to him. “How long do you intend to stay, Mr. Ainsworth?”
He glanced at her over his shoulder. “As long as I need to.”
His words sent a lasting chill through Pippa. She wanted to question him further, but her inquiries died on her tongue. He’d left her with more uncertainty, but she didn’t know whether William was the one she needed to be wary of, or this Mr. Ainsworth.
Pippa knocked on the Burkes’ door and waited, but no answer came. She tried to open it so she could leave the pears inside but was met with resistance. She set the basket on the ground near the door, then turned and left, her mind running down the empty cobblestone road toward the inn. Mr. Ainsworth had mentioned he was with the law, but not in what capacity he served. He wore no uniform, and he had purposefully dismissed her when she did not appear to know anything.
What was his aim?
Pippa slipped between the buildings and back onto the path that led out of town and toward Camden Court. She untied her bonnet strings and slid the offending headwear off, holding it by the ribbons. She wore the thing when in town or other social functions because she knew it was important to Mabel that she look put-together. Indeed, Pippa understood that she represented her sister poorly when she removed her bonnet and allowed her skin to darken, her freckles to increase.
But she couldn’t help it. The sun felt warm and comfortable on her skin, and bonnets were such bothersome devices.
Pippa walked the length of the path along the ocean cliff toward her home, her bonnet trailing behind her. She couldn’t remove Mr. Ainsworth and his odd questions from her mind and was too distracted to notice Lily until she was an arm’s length in front of Pippa.
“What are you doing here?” Pippa asked.
