Shelton, with Lambert close on his heels, edged closer to Ballard. “Have ye been in a fight?”
“Ye could say that.” He gave them a succinct summary of what had happened to him and watched their expressions of disbelief change to outrage.
“Lord Almighty and His mother,” muttered Shelton. “Is Dillingsworth all right in his head?”
“I dinnae think he is too sane and, Shelton, ye shouldnae be swearing in front of Mrs. Sherwood.”
Agnes smiled briefly at a blushing Shelton. “In such a situation cursing is easily forgiven. Come, Ballard, let me tend to your injuries.”
“Nay, but thank ye, ma’am. It occurred to me as I stumbled here that no one has seen or heard from me since I left with Miss Marsten. I reckon I can guess what folk began to think. I have a wild tale to tell Clover, and these wounds may help to make her believe it. Where is she?”
“She went to bed.” Agnes sighed and shook her head. “We all tried to reassure her, but I think we only made matters worse. I am sorry, Ballard, but when you did not return, we all began to believe the worst.”
“There is no need to apologize, ma’am. Ye all ken that I was sniffing ‘round Miss Marsten and ye only thought what anyone would think. I should havestopped to tell ye I was going with Grendall, but I reckon I am not used to having to answer to anyone. Now Dillingsworth thinks his men have killed me, so I suspect that cur will be here bright and early in the morning, wanting to soothe my poor grieving widow. If I am not here to greet him, dinnae let him ken that I have returned. Just come and tell me he is here.”
“Ye dinnae think he will discover ye have escaped before then?” asked Shelton.
“Nay, I doubt it. Those two men were nae eager to have Dillingsworth discover that they didnae do what he had paid them to do. They are probably halfway to Philadelphia by now. Nay, Dillingsworth will be here to try and take advantage of Clover.”
“Perhaps Shelton and I ought to keep an eye out, just in case Dillingsworth cannot wait until morning or discovers you are not dead and decides to hire someone to do the job right this time,” suggested Lambert.
“It cannae hurt. Aye. Just be sure he doesnae see ye, as that could warn him that we ken his games. If Dillingsworth thinks that, he may turn on the two of ye. I have enough to fret o’er. He may also take it into his head to flee and hide away until I have returned to Kentucky, and I dinnae want him slipping out of my reach. I want a chance to confront that slinking dog.”
“Dinnae worry, Ballard,” Shelton assured him.
“We will do our best to make sure you have that chance,” Lambert said.
“I just find this all so very hard to understand,” Agnes said as Shelton and Lambert left.
“Dillingsworth wants it all, ma’am. ‘Tis that simple. And he doesnae much like that it was a mon like mewho got Clover. He also didnae like being beaten by me. That means he has lost to me twice. There are some men who just cannae abide losing. In truth, I suspect Dillingsworth wasnae too stable before I came on the scene. Grendall implied a lot of people know what Dillingsworth is like but are too afraid to stand against him. Dillingsworth has stepped right o’er the edge now, though.”
“Yes, he must be mad. Well, you go and speak to Clover, and I wish you luck.”
“Thank ye, ma’am. I will need it.”
Ballard started on his way to their bedchamber. He ached all over, but it was not that pain which slowed his pace as he drew nearer. Convincing Clover to believe him was not going to be easy.
As Ballard closed his hand around the door latch, he prayed that she would at least hear him out.
