AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“If that would appease you, milord.”
Oliver frowned, knowing the constable was just trying to pacify him. “I think it would be for the best,” he replied. “At least until you confirm the smugglers have stopped using your shores.”
“As you wish.” The constable glanced up in the direction of the manor. “Would you care to return to Lockhart Manor now?”
“I suppose so.”
Constable Philmont gave him a side glance. “I would appreciate it if you didn’t tell anyone about what you saw down here last night,” he said. “After all, we don’t want to cause any undue panic amongst the villagers.”
“I agree.”
“Good,” the constable replied. “This must have been quite the excitement for someone of your station.”
“Meaning?”
With a complacent smile, Constable Philmont remarked, “It is not every day that a lord is able to witness smugglers coming ashore.”
Oliver harrumphed. “It would have been more exciting if we had caught them.”
As they continued to walk down the beach, they grew quiet, retreating to their own thoughts. Oliver knew that he had looked like a fool today, but he refused to sit idly by and play the part.
Chapter Sixteen
“The barrels weregone?” Emmeline asked as she sat on the chair in her bedchamber.
Oliver nodded. “Yes, all of them.”
“How is that possible?”
Leaning his shoulder against the side of the wall, he replied, “Someone must have tipped off the smugglers.”
“But who could that possibly have been?” she asked. “The only person we told about the smugglers was the constable.”
Oliver pressed his lips together, then said, “I am under the impression that the constable betrayed us.”
“Truly?”
“He delayed our departure to the beach by an hour, giving him plenty of time to cart those barrels away,” he explained. “Furthermore, he could sell the smuggled goods in his mercantile.”
“I hadn’t considered that.”
“I believe it is time for me to go speak to him again.”
Rising, Emmeline asked, “For what purpose?”
“I am going to ask if he is involved with smuggling.”
“And you believe he will just come out and admit to that?”
A dangerous gleam came into Oliver’s eyes as he replied, “If I ask nicely, he will.”
“Perhaps we should just report our suspicions to the magistrate and allow him to handle the investigation.”
Oliver shook his head. “The traveling judge only comes through the village every few months,” he shared. “Besides, I have no doubt I can handle the constable.”
“He is rather intimidating.”
“To some, but I am not easily intimidated.”
