“Yes, definitely. Always go low when there’s gunfire.” His face set into harsh lines. “I learned that many years ago in Europe.” He shook off the memory. “So anyway, we tumbled down and pulled our cloaks over us. It was all I could think of to do. The snow helped hide us, I think, and we were almost beneath the hedge. After a few minutes, Harry asked if we should move, and a few seconds later Hodgkins appeared.”
“And it was then that we realized Paul had sustained a wound,” finished Harriet. “Between myself and Hodgkins we managed to get him to the conservatory…”
“And the rest is as we know.” Rosaline finished her second cup of tea. “Blood, bandages, ointment and more bandages.” She shrugged. “Just another morning at Ridlington Chase.”
At that moment, Nurse peeped around the door to the salon, and Rosaline immediately acknowledged the silent summons with a brief nod. “Well, it’s time for me to attend to motherly matters.” She stood, and everyone followed suit. “Ladies. Letitia, please see to getting a room ready for Paul. He’ll be here for a while. Without question.” She gave her brother a fierce stare, daring him to argue with her.
“Yes, Rosaline.” He acquiesced without demur.
“Harriet. Go to bed and sleep. You look exhausted, as well you should.”
“Yes, Lady Rosaline.” Harriet managed a curtsey and followed it up with a huge yawn.
“Gentlemen, you may dispose yourselves as you wish. Paul, Letitia will send a servant to you when your room is ready.”
With that final pronouncement, Rosaline left the room, knowing her edicts would be carried out to the letter.
James grinned. “Hop to it, then. You heard her Ladyship.” The three men watched as the women departed to attend to their duties.
Then James walked over and shut the door. “Right. Hodgkins, you know more than you’re letting on. What is it, man? We need to understand this situation if it’s going to be dangerous to any or all of those women.”
Hodgkins’ eyes widened and he gave both James and Paul an assessing glance. Then he sighed. “Damn smart arses.”
James grinned. “Quite.”
*~~*~~*
Paul was glad to stand and stretch his spine a little. Being fussed over was all well and good, but could get on a man’s nerves after a while. The injury burned a little, but he was very lucky. Too lucky for his own comfort.
So he was also glad of the chance to be private with Hodgkins, and couldn’t think of a better friend to have by his side than James.
“We’re alone. Hodgkins, we need to know the truth of the matter. Anything you can tell us. Please.”
The older man nodded. “I don’t know a lot, sirs, and that’s the truth.”
Paul and James shared a look as they both noted that the country accent had all but disappeared. “From the beginning, if you would,” encouraged James.
“I have worked on occasion for a member of the Bow Street Runners. I am not a Redbreast myself, but I have friends who serve in that capacity and they’re kind enough to use me now and again when the matter suits.”
“Really,” said Paul, leaning forward. “Fascinating.”
James, knowing Paul might well lead the conversation into more interesting but less useful areas, kept matters on track. “So you were hired recently?”
“Yes, sir. And I tell you up front, I don’t know by who. Not even sure my Runner contact knows. Just someone with a lot of influence, who needed to find out…”
“Find out what, Hodgkins?”
The man gulped. “Find out about the lady, sir.”
“Which one?” James and Paul chorused the response simultaneously, then looked at each other and laughed.
Hodgkins shook his head at them. “Miss Selkirk, gentlemen. The one you call Miss Harry. The maid.”
Paul froze. “Why?” His question was sharp and rapid.
“Again, sir, I dunno. My job was to keep an eye on her, make sure she was all right and if she seemed like she was in trouble, I was to send a message back to the Runner.”
“That was all?” James frowned.
