“I don’t know, but don’t think I trust you, for I don’t.”
“Then why did you give me back my pistol?”
“Because it’s useless without ball and powder. But like me at the outset, your victim won’t know that.”
“I can’t imagine what you mean. Why should I have any victim?”
“Well, you had me, didn’t you?”
“Yes, but you are on my side now.”
“Ah, but I told you I don’t trust you. And remember this, for I mean it.”
Apple eyed his wagging forefinger with a rise of apprehension. “Remember what?”
“If you try to escape me, Apple, I’ll come after you. And I’ll find you, if I have to search the length and breadth of the country.”
A weird mix of apprehension and delight ran through Apple. “You wouldn’t!”
His frown was direful. “Don’t try me, I’m warning you.”
Shock entered in. “But why, Alex? I should have thought you’d be pleased to be well rid of me.”
“Think it no longer. Taken responsibility for you and that’s that.”
“Well, I can’t see why you should. I mean, it’s one thing to go and see Mr Vergette on my behalf, and I’m grateful for it. But afterwards, we are bound to part company.”
“When I see you safe back to your guardians, yes.”
“Safe!If that’s your notion of safety, you’ve failed to understand a word I’ve said.”
“Understood only too well. And if this lawyer of yours ain’t willing to stand buff, we’ll have to keep you out of their clutches until your birthday. All there is to it.”
Apple’s heart swelled. “You’d do that for me?”
“Why wouldn’t I? How many times do I have to say it?”
“You’ve taken responsibility for me, you mean?”
He grinned. “Good girl. Knew you’d got enough gumption to get it into your head eventually.”
Apple erupted into giggles. “You are perfectly high-handed, Lord Dymond, and rude into the bargain.”
He cocked an eyebrow and a gleam appeared. To her astonishment, he took her hand and lifted it to his lips. “Only too happy to be of service, Miss Greenaway.”
He left her mystified and not a little disturbed. But she was obliged to set this aside and attend to her hostess, whose lamentations at the loss of her husband were sincere, if voluble.
“Oh, Apple, I have the greatest fear he will be wounded! If not killed. What in the world should I do without my dearest Rob?”
Mrs Reddicliffe, a rotund and comfortable woman, though elderly, patted her charge’s shoulder. “Now then, Lady Georgiana, that’s quite enough nonsense. The captain isn’t going to war now, is he?”
“How do you know, Reddy? He may be sent to Pomerania and the French are there! Who is to say shots won’t be fired?”
“Well, your husband said so, didn’t he?” Apple put in on a bracing note. “He says it’s a precaution and he’s only going to the coast. They won’t send him across the sea unless it’s absolutely necessary, he said. And he must know, Georgy.”
“Now, no more megrims, my lady, it’s not fitting in your situation. You don’t want to go upsetting the babe inside you.”
This had the effect of turning Georgy’s tears to laughter. “Why, Reddy, how can you? It’s scarcely a babe yet. I’m only three months gone.”
