They walked back inside the house, and Juliette gave orders for water and bandages. While he wiped the blood away, Fraser kept his voice low. “And you think he was aiming at Amelia?”
“I know he was.” He hissed when the doctor blotted the wound again.
“David shoved me away,” Amelia admitted. Her hand moved to her throat, and she looked toward her sister. “Could it have been Lord Strathland?”
David had heard stories of the earl who had caused untold problems for Amelia’s family. The man had been locked away in a lunatic asylum, but he hardly cared whether or not it was the earl. Regardless of who had tried to shoot his wife, he wouldn’t stop until the man was found. He would let no one threaten the woman he loved.
Juliette’s gaze moved toward her husband. The fury on the doctor’s face spoke of a man who was contemplating murder. “He’s the only person with a reason to kill any of us.”
Amelia came to stand beside David. “If Lord Strathlanddidcome here, his first target would have been Dr. Fraser. Not me.” She linked hands with her sister to offer silent support.
“I sent men in pursuit,” David told them. “When they return, we’ll know who it was.”
And he would hunt the man down and bring his own retribution upon him. Suffering wasn’t enough—he’d rather see the assailant buried.
“I’ve no wish to wait that long,” the doctor countered. “Have you a fast horse I could borrow?”
He did, but Juliette was already shaking her head. “No. You can’t go after Strathland, if it was him.” She took her husband’s hands in hers. “Paul, it’s what he wants. And then he’ll come after me and after Grace.” Her eyes filled up with unshed tears. “You can’t leave us.”
“It doesn’t make sense,” Amelia ventured. “If he came here to kill any of us, why would he come after me? And why would he leave so soon afterwards?”
“He was nearly caught,” David responded. “And because he has another target to attack.” The answer crystallized in his mind, and he had no doubt what the man intended. “If it was Strathland, then he’ll pursue your parents. He won’t go swiftly, because he knows you’ll follow him. And then he’ll have all of you.”
Dr. Fraser nodded. “You’re right.” He finished bandaging the wound and ordered, “You’re going to be wanting something tae help you sleep tonight.” He withdrew a small vial from his leather bag and said, “Take a few drops in a cup of tea, and it will ease the pain.”
“My lord,” a footman interrupted, “Forgive me, but this young woman insisted upon seeing you.”
It was Sarah Carlisle, the Earl of Strathland’s sister. The moment she appeared, the room fell deathly quiet. For there was no longer any doubt that Strathland was behind the attack.
“I’m so terribly sorry, Lord Castledon.” Her face burned bright red, and she confessed, “M-my brother was released from the asylum a few weeks ago. But he’s…still very ill. He’s not thinking clearly and never should have been let out.”
Her hands were shaking, and she said, “He came here with the intent of killing Dr. Fraser and Lady Castledon, Juliette’s sister. H-he wanted Juliette to see them suffer.”
“Do you think he’s gone northwest, toward Ballaloch?”
She nodded. “Please, my lord. Someone has to stop him. He doesn’t care what happens to him. Vengeance is all that matters.”
The doctor met David’s gaze. “I’m taking your fastest horse and any men who are wanting to come with me.”
“No,” Juliette insisted. “Don’t, Paul.”
“Then you want me to hide here while the man goes tae kill your father and mother?” The doctor underscored his harsh words by stroking his wife’s cheek. “I don’t think you do,a chrídhe.”
Juliette was openly crying now, holding tight to her husband. “I don’t like this.”
“My brother won’t stop,” Lady Sarah admitted. “Heismad, and if you don’t find him, I fear the worst.” Her face colored, and she stared at Amelia. “I had to warn you.”
Amelia nodded and laced her fingers with David’s. There seemed to be an unspoken agreement between them that he didn’t understand. But then his wife ordered, “Send whatever men you want to help Dr. Fraser. Juliette will stay with us.Sheis who the earl truly wants. We’ll keep her safe here, along with Grace.”
David didn’t like the idea of staying behind, but he recognized the need to protect the women. He stared at Fraser, who nodded. “So be it.”
The doctor reached for his coat and added, “This time, I’m going to finish it, Juliette. Strathland won’t come back alive.”
He’d missed the shot.
So close, and yet the bullet had caught the earl instead of Amelia Andrews.
With every mile that passed, Brandon was taunted by his failure. It infuriated him, for the pistol wasn’t as accurate as he’d thought.
