“Left? Where did she go?”
John shook his head. “You know she does not tell me where she goes.”
“Yes,” her father agreed, “because she is out being a criminal.” He set his gaze on Michael. “I cannot protect her forever.”
Michael’s gaze hardened on him. “You should not have protected her the first time.”
“Aye, you are correct. I have many regrets. But…” he paused to take in a deep breath, “we were discussing you. Go on.”
“That’s it. I told you everything.”
“Well,” the judge narrowed his eyes and squeezed his chin between his index finger and thumb, “from what you have told me, I believe this Mr. Green is a sort of wizard. It would seem he sent you here to find someone.”
“Then you do believe me,” Michael said, holding his cup up to have it refilled.
“Your story is compelling. I like a good mystery,” the duke told him, receiving more wine in his cup, as well. “For instance,Detective, do you know who carries the name Pendragon?”
Michael thought about it for a minute. His head was mostly clear. The wine wasn’t overly strong.
“The Excalibur guy?”
The duke smiled. “King Arthur, aye. King ArthurPendragon. ’Tis a Cornish surname with many variations in the spelling. Pendridge is one of them.”
Michael sipped his wine. He wanted to make it last. He had a feeling he was going to need it. “What are you saying?”
“I’m saying, Investigator, I believe you are a Pendragon, perhaps even an heir.”
Chapter Four
Charlotte rode throughSutton, alone, with a knife in each boot and four hidden in other places on her body. Pistols were too big and clumsy to use. She preferred blades. The deadliest being her tongue. The stranger learned that today when he interfered with her work.
She could have stabbed him but there was something so dangerous and mesmerizing about him. He seemed to have experienced much in his life. His eyes, though quick and perhaps once brilliant like lightning across the night sky, were void of fire and sunken in. He looked as if he could use a few good nights of sleep. She wished him well in her mind and also prayed to stop thinking about him.
She didn’t want to stab anyone. Things had become so out of control in the past year. She didn’t know how to stop the whirlwind, but she was determined to try.
It had begun with Preston and doing everything to make him happy. Things had to change. There was too much at stake. She wanted too much. A family. A sense of belonging. Preston promised to give them to her. She would do anything for him because she would do anything for a family.
She rode past beautiful springs and walnut trees growing around a giant pond filled with trout. Sutton was her favorite place on earth, with forests and farmlands, and homes of brick and wood.
She continued on to the scenic village with its beautiful cathedral church reaching up toward heaven.
She wanted to live here, near the trees by the pond. Or near Rosie.
She quickened her horse’s pace, eager to reach Preston. She didn’t slow again until she arrived at Hayward House, Preston’s elaborately built hideaway for his men. She slid out of her sidesaddle and handed her horse off to Roddy, the stable boy.
“The stable is full, m’lady,” Roddy announced, his already ruddy cheeks turning redder when he lifted his gaze from the ground and looked at her. “I can leave him outside with the two carriages. I will see to him personally.”
She handed him two pence and a grateful smile. “My thanks, dear Roddy,” she said and then left him for the house. She knew everyone would be here. They hadn’t left for the last sennight. They were mostly the men who worked for Preston in some form or capacity. Some were moneykeepers (accountants,) some lawyers. Some were less law-abiding, from pickers to Horsemen. None of their wives were in attendance, though there were plenty of females wandering about, drinking and giggling.
When Charlotte reached the front door, she heard a sound coming from around the house. She followed it, recognizing the voice of her dear Preston.
She saw him speaking to Sebastian Alexander, Baron of Surrey. Sebastian was a dark-haired, handsome young devil with a silver tongue, and one of Preston’s wealthy friends. Preston had many, and many of them broke the law. Most judges who knew Preston took bribes. Not all did, though. Her father didn’t.
“The day has just become brighter,” sang dashing Sebastian when he saw her.
Charlotte had to admit Sebastian was as beautiful as all the ladies gushed about. His hair fell in loose waves to his shoulders. The outer edges of his large, green eyes turned up, giving him a most sultry look. His smile was wide, his teeth, straight and almost white.
Aye, he was pleasing to the eyes, but he was her friend, and nothing more.
