“Your father and I are going back to where the accident occurred,” Maxwell said.
Puzzled, Louisa looked from one to the other. “Why?”
“To see if we can find any clues as to who or what startled Byron,” Aldous folded his arms. “I know it’s unlikely, but we have nothing to lose by it.”
“But I’m not even certain itwasa person, Papa,” she replied, her brain again conjuring up what looked like a figure emergingfrom a patch of mist, the details obscured. “I can’t decide if the image in my head is real or just something my brain created while I was unconscious. I definitely recall some birds flying out of the heather. Grouse, I think. Or pheasant, perhaps. But I don’t think Byron reacted to them. He wouldn’t usually.”
“But surely, if someone saw her fall, they would have remained with her, or at least gone for help,” Grace said, frowning. “Truly, I can’t imagine what kind of clues you hope to find.”
Maxwell shrugged. “Probably none at all, but it won’t hurt to look, and it shouldn’t take too long. In the meantime, I’ll have some tea sent up.”
“You know, I never doubted Maxwell’s commitment to your union, or that you would be treated kindly,” Grace said, moments after the men had left the room. “But I confess I did wonder if he would come to love you in the way you deserve to be loved. Any doubts in that regard have gone. It’s quite obvious he adores you.”
Louisa released a shaky sigh. “I admit to having a moment or two of doubt myself, Mama,” she said. “But not anymore.”
*
Maxwell stood atthe spot where Louisa had lain and glanced about once more. As expected, it had been an exercise in futility. They had found a few items; a rusted belt-buckle, an equally rusted horseshoe, and the moth-eaten remains of a knitted glove. All were found within a reasonable vicinity of the accident, none of which implied anything other than people and animals used the moor road on a regular basis. There were footprints and hoofprints too, of course, their impressions exaggerated in the wet earth, and especially around the spot where Louisa had been found, which could easily be explained. Maxwell hadn’treally expected to find anything conclusive, but the lack of an explanation remained frustrating. What troubled him the most was the possibility that someone—man or woman—had been there when the accident occurred and done nothing to help Louisa.
“Well, it was worth a try.” Aldous pulled himself into the saddle and gathered up the reins. “Louisa is on the mend, that’s the main thing.”
Nodding his agreement, Maxwell moved to Fraser’s side, intent on climbing back into the saddle. As he lifted his foot to place in the stirrup, something snared in a nearby clump of heather caught his attention. He wandered over and pulled it free; a large feather, its soft white barbs discolored and damaged by the elements.
“Louisa said something about birds,” he said, twirling the feather in his fingers as he walked back to where Aldous sat. “Any idea what kind of bird might have shed this?”
Aldous regarded it for a moment. “Given the color, swans and geese come to mind, though it looks too fine to be either one. I suppose Byron might have been startled by birds, though he doesn’t usually startle easily.”
“Hmm.” Maxwell twirled the feather once more and then released it to the wind, watching as it traveled some distance before it tumbled earthward and became entangled once more. Reaching for the saddle, he swung himself up onto Fraser’s back and glanced around one last time. “As you said, Captain, it was worth a try.”
*
Thankfully, three dayslater, Louisa was up and out of bed, still a little sore but very much on the mend. Her parents returned to Highfield, and for the next several days Maxwell remained ather side. Then a summons came from the South Shields location, where a labor issue had resulted in the threat of a strike.
“The foreman is demanding my presence.” Maxwell waved the letter clutched in his hand. “So as much as I hate to leave you, my love, I’m afraid I have to go. I should only be gone a few days, but I’d like you to stay at Highfield while I’m away. I’ll have McKinney drive you. You can take Archer with you, of course.”
Louisa, who had been curled up in a chair in her sitting-room, set her book aside. “I don’t have to go to Highfield, Max. I’m perfectly fine here.”
He regarded her. The bruising on her face had faded to a shadow, but her shoulder still pained her some. Her memory of what had caused her accident remained frustratingly elusive. Though he couldn’t explain it, something about the incident still bothered Maxwell, and the thought of leaving her troubled him. “I’d feel better if you were at Highfield, lass.”
Louisa shook her head. “I promise I won’t leave the house except, perhaps, for a stroll around the gardens. I won’t be alone. Archer will take care of me.”
He scowled. “Very well, if you insist, but absolutely no riding. I’ll tell McKinney he’ll lose his job if he lets you take Byron out. If youdodecide to go to Highfield, you’ll take the carriage. And when you go for a stroll, stay in the gardens and take Archer with you.”
She feigned a huff. “How many times must I tell you, Mr. Harlow, I am not made of porcelain.”
He suppressed a smile. “Nevertheless, you’ll do as you’re told, and I’ll have your word on it.”
“On one condition,” she said, cocking her head. “That when you return, we take a trip back to Knaresborough. I’d like to see Jane and also visit Samuel again.”
Because of what had occurred during their previous visit, Maxwell’s first instinct was to refuse the request. But forwhat reason? The old man’s actions had been bizarre, but not harmful. “There’ll be no conditions from you and no promises from me,” he replied, hedging. “We’ll see how things are when I get back.”
Louisa wrinkled her nose. “Then may I at least write to Jane and inquire about another visit?”
“That you can do, aye,” he said and held out a hand. “Stand up, will you, love?”
Unfurling her legs, she placed her hand in his, and he drew her gently to her feet before taking her in his arms.
“What’s this for?” she murmured.
