She swore softly, stood, and collected both mugs, vanishing into the kitchen for a few minutes. He listened to the sound of energetic dishwashing, and knew without a doubt that she was cross with him.
He fought an inner battle with himself, and by the time she returned, he thought he had a grasp on the situation.
“I apologise,” he began. “But let me say firstly, that this is not my story to tell.”
“Oh.” That information seemed to calm her temper. “So it is a confidential matter?”
“Yes. Many of my assignments are. So please do not take my refusal personally.”
A brief nod signified her assent, and she tipped her head to one side. “Well then, might I ask who you were visiting? Or on your way to visit? Or leaving…or something?”
Richard grinned, enjoying her attempts to elicit information. He’d have done exactly the same thing in her shoes, so he couldn’t find fault with her for it. “All right. I was on my way to visit Rosewood Park. I managed to get halfway there, when I had to dismount for a moment…” he cleared his throat, “and that was when the dratted horse decided to take off on its own because, stupidly, I had neglected to fully secure thereins. My plan was to walk to Rosewood Park and take care of business, which, at that hour, would have meant an overnight stay.”
“Then back to London?”
“Yes. By leaving very early, I might have made it back in good time.” He sighed. “It was immediately after my mount deserted me that the two men appeared out of the darkness and set upon me before I even realised their intent. After that...well it’s a bit of a blur.”
Holly nodded in acknowledgement. “I can believe that. They were determined to knock you to the ground, and make sure you stayed there.” She shuddered a little at the memory for a few moments, then glanced at him. “Are you acquainted with the owner of Rosewood Park?”
“Sir Duncan Aylmer? Not personally. But he’s used our firm for many years, I understand.”
Those words seemed to ease her, and she leaned back in her chair. “It seems Sir Duncan already has one guest staying with him. A gentleman by the name of Blackstone. Might you know him?”
He shot upright. “Where did you hear that name?”
She stared at him, a look of surprise on her face. “I met him this morning. At Forest Grange. He and Sir Duncan were breakfasting with my father.”
*~~*~~*
The drastic change in Richard’s expression was not lost on Holly. “You know this man? This Mr Blackstone?”
He nodded. “Yes. Although we’ve not met personally.”
She pursed her lips and thought for a moment or two. “Might one assume that you do not hold a high opinion of him?”
“One might.”
“Ah.” She waited, but apparently he was going to be obstinately tight-lipped on the subject. The silence was deafening. “Oh, for heaven’s sake, say something—anything. My immediate reaction to this man, Blackstone, is that he seems like a very odd companion for someone like Sir Duncan.”
Richard took a breath. “Well, yes. I can agree with that.”
Seeing an opening, Holly continued. “I found him to have the appearance of everything proper, and just what he said he was, an acquaintance of Sir Duncan’s. But there was something…” her voice faded away as she struggled to find the right words.
“Yes. You have good instincts, Miss Trease.” Richard’s face was difficult to read. “There is indeed something about him.”
She took a breath. “I didn’t…he…” she swallowed awkwardly, “the way he looked at me. It made me uncomfortable, and I don’t know why.”
“Did he say anything to you? Touch you?”
Her eyes widened. “Goodness no. And I wasn’t formally introduced. I was with Mama in the hall when Sir Duncan arrived, bringing Mr Blackstone with him. It was just the ordinary kind of welcome. Nothing specific, and I left as soon as I could.”
“Good.” Richard rubbed a hand over his face. “I cannot make accusations against that man, Miss Trease, not without evidence, of which I have none. But I will say this as one friend to another. Keep your distance from Blackstone. He is not a man I would introduce to my sister, if I had one.”
“And yet he was apparently on good terms with Sir Duncan, as if they had known each other for some time.”
“I cannot imagine how they met, or why he’s here, that’s for certain. That is a puzzle.”
Holly thought about that, getting up to put another log on the fire, and then returning to her chair,absently tucking one leg up beneath her. “D’you think it’s possible Sir Duncan is thinking of selling Rosewood Park?”
