Eve focused on her hair, having to make sure she got all that muddy water out of it and then working the moisture out before she blew dry it. It would infuriate her if she ended up growing mold in her hair and had to cut it because of this.
She had just finished dressing when there was a light tap on her door, and Mrs. Campbell poked her head in.
“Oh, good, you’re ready. I wanted to see if you needed anything else and to tell you that lunch is ready in the dining room.”
“Thank you. Is my grandfather feeling any better?” Eve asked, following Mrs. Campbell from the room.
“Alan took Mr. Stewart’s lunch to him and said he ate well. He’s napping now.”
Eve didn’t ask any more questions until she’d reached the dining room. Joe was standing by the only other door to the room, the one the servants used, but Darius came to her and took her hands.
“Are you feeling all right?” He studied her face. “I thought I was never going to get warm again.”
“Me either. I’m glad they have a good water heater here.”
At the concern in his expression, Eve slid her arms around his waist and pressed her head against his shoulder. He wrapped her in an embrace.
“I wasn’t imagining that, was I?” she asked. “Those were really bullet holes, weren’t they?”
“Yes. Bill wants us to come home. He’s frustrated that he’s not here to assess the situation himself.”
“It could have been an accident.” She lifted her head and met Darius’s gaze. “I can’t leave until tomorrow.”
“I told Joe you’d insist on staying the night.”
“What’s he doing?” Eve nodded at Joe, who stood near the door. “He looks like a guard over there.”
“He is. He and Bill both agree that it was likely a servant who shot at us, whether by accident or on purpose. But . . .”
“But what?”
“They also agree there’s a chance it wasn’t an accident. Your cousin’s an obvious possibility since he’s been so hostile to you. Joe’s on high alert now.”
“Seriously? You think Graham could have shot at us—with his drug-induced jitters?”
Darius just shrugged.
“I’m sorry to have dragged you into this.”
“I’m not.” Darius kissed her. “Let’s get something to eat. I’m starving.”
As they were finishing the meal, Graham stepped into the room. He looked uncertain and paused before coming toward them.
“I heard there was some food in here.” He went to the sideboard and started picking through the offerings.
“What do you do for a living, cousin?” Eve asked.
Graham glanced at her before turning back to the food. His hands shook a little as he lifted the food cover and looked underneath.
“What, do you think I’ve been living off my grandfather?” he asked, his tone snide. “I’m an investment broker.”
“Doesn’t it make it difficult for you to earn a living all the way out here?” Darius asked.
“I took a leave of absence. My father, you know.”
“I’m sorry for your loss,” Eve said softly, wishing she knew how to reach out to her cousin.
Graham looked about to say something snarky, but he pinched his lips instead.
