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“The end of the week,” she replied. She took his hand in hers. “I’m so glad that you’re finally settling down. I have to admit; I was worried that you’d never find anyone suitable.”
“Mother,” he said. “What if I was unsure about the wedding?”
She frowned in confusion. “Unsure? Whatever could you mean?”
“I just—” He sighed, shaking his head.
Her hand had gone to her mouth. “Jasper? What’s happened, my son?” She placed a hand on his arm.
“I suppose it’s just nerves.” He knew that it wasn’t. But his mother wouldn’t understand.
The fear left her face. “Of course, dear. Everyone gets nerves. It’s very common. How about I have a glass of wine sent up for you?”
“Thank you, Mother. I’ll be in my study.”
He walked up the stairs to his study. The thick velvet curtains were drawn. He opened them, looking out over his estate. It was early afternoon, the sun lighting up the countryside.
* * *
Selina was seated in the parlor with her Aunt and Uncle, who were discussing Lord and Lady Morton’s plight. Selina’s mind was wandering, and she was only half-listening.
“They haven’t been found yet,” Uncle Latimer was saying. “Not a hide nor hair of them.”
“Well, they’re either long gone, or they’re tucked up somewhere,” Aunt Georgiana replied. She turned to Selina. “You’re rather quiet, my dear.”
“It’s dreadful,” Selina said, shaking her head. “I wonder where they’ve holed up.”
“We were wondering the same,” Uncle Latimer said. “They could be anywhere by now.”
Selina sipped her tea. She recalled a time when she and her parents had been staying at a palazzo in Italy. There had been a spree of robberies, perpetrated by an Italian Duke. He’d stolen to get revenge on his neighbors.
But this wasn’t the same deserters from the army who had done this—likely, men who had been looking for something to sell for money.
“I think it’s going to rain,” she commented, her eyes on the window. From where she sat, she could see a gentleman on a horse, riding toward Kirby Hall. He looked like one of the grooms. He was riding a large chestnut colt that Uncle Kirby had recently purchased.
* * *
There was a knock at the study door. Turning away from his window, Jasper replied. “Yes?”
“Colonel Fitz for you, Your Grace,” his butler announced.
“Colonel!” Jasper said, eager for news. “Come in and have a seat.”
The Colonel entered, standing by the door.
“I cannot stay—I rode out here to inform you,” he said. “The men returned. As it turns out, they were all out drinking. Lost track of the time. The innkeeper over in Bridesdale can account for it.”
“Then who were our thieves?” Jasper wondered aloud. He took a sip of his wine, setting it aside.
“Can I interest you in a glass?” he offered.
“No, thank you,” Colonel Fitz replied. “Dawson and Jordan are good men. I didn’t think they’d done it. Nor that they had defected. I was surprised that Coyle hadn’t done it, but he can be vouched for, by the other two, as well as the innkeeper.”
“Well,” Jasper said, standing up. “I will go and let the local aristocracy know to be on the lookout.”
“Very good, Your Grace.”
“I’ll see you out, Colonel,” Jasper said.
