“You wouldn’t have come.”
Forrest sighed. “Did you apologize or argue with Mary?”
“I apologized, as did she.”
“What?”
“Something is not right with her,” Zach said. “She had bruises on her right hand, and one just under her ear. When I questioned her, she said it was nothing. She’d just been clumsy. But to me, who has often had bruised knuckles, it looked like she’d been punching someone.”
“Given her temperament, I am not saying she is incapable of such a thing.”
“But who would have provoked her enough other than me? And shouldn’t she be slapping people and not punching them?”
“There is that.”
“I think she also carries weapons?”
“I beg your pardon?”
“Most of the women in our family carry pistols for safety. We have ensured they know how to fire them, but I think Mary carries more than a pistol.”
“I find I don’t mind the idea of our women carrying pistols for protection.”
“It took some getting used to, but we are there now.”
“How do you know Mary carries more than a pistol?”
“I helped her down from her horse last season, and my hand slid up her thigh—accidentally,” he added quickly. “I’m sure I felt a knife handle and a sheath. She carries her pistol in her reticule. Abby told me that.”
“Perhaps she is not as confident as she leads us to believe and feels better for the protection.”
“Perhaps.”
“Her sister is terrifying.”
“Lord yes. Luckily, she has yet to set her sights on me. I fear when she realizes you will not have her, that may change.”
Forrest shuddered.
CHAPTERTHIRTEEN
“We are going to Gunter’s Tea Shop, Ruby!”
Ella burst into the nursery with her sunset curls bouncing.
“Is that not exciting?” She clapped her hands.
“It certainly sounds exciting,” Ruby said.
She loved this child. Her enthusiasm was infectious. Ella found joy in everything. Since she’d been spending her days with her, they had grown close, and when the day came, which it surely would, for her to leave, she knew it would break her heart.
Adam and the other residents of 11 Nobby Lane who had attended the picnic talked endlessly about meeting Ella and Toby. And what wonderful genteel people Lord and Lady Raine and their family were.
“Uncle Zach said he is going to have a chocolate ice.”
“I have heard there are many flavors.”
“Oh yes, many!”
