Her brown eyes searched his. “My uncle’s in London? Why didn’t he come to see me?”
“I’m sorry, Julia. Lord Spencer passed away a day ago.”
“No! Oh, no!” Tears flooded down her cheeks. “Was he sick?”
“No. He was…hurt.” Ash drew out his handkerchief and offered it to her.
Julia’s face crumpled. She reached for it as her narrow shoulders slumped. She blew her nose and offered his handkerchief back to him.
He shook his head. “Please keep it. Your uncle’s dog is outside in my curricle. Would you like to see him? I can fetch him.”
She gasped. “Whisky is here?” she asked, a catch in her voice. “Please, sir, bring him to me!”
Ash wondered if the schoolmistress would object, but he would handle it if she did. Going out to the front door and beckoned to Jed. Moments later, Whisky scampered in. The dog seemed to know Julia, for he ran over to her, his long tail wagging furiously.
“Oh, Whisky.” She sobbed against his wiry coat. “How you’ve grown!”
Ash sat quietly and waited for the girl’s sobs to ease while the dog licked her wet cheeks.
She glanced up with a teary smile. “I wish Whisky could stay here with me.”
“I wish he could, too.” Ash grinned. “But I doubt he’d be popular with the staff. He is not always the best-behaved dog. However, I promise to take good care of him, and I’ll bring him to visit you again.”
Her eyes warmed. “You are very kind.”
“It will be my pleasure. Have you any relatives I might speak to on your behalf?”
She nodded. “My father’s sister, Aunt Meredith. She’s an invalid and has never married.”
“Where does she live?”
“I’ve never been to my aunt’s house. It’s in Cambridgeshire.”
“Do you know the town or village?”
She shook her head.
Mrs. Tyler came in. She looked askance at the dog and brushed her skirts as if it spread fleas in her direction. “Please return to the schoolroom for your French lesson, Julia.”
“Yes, Miss Tyler.” Julia stood and offered her hand to Ash. “You promise to come again?”
He smiled and shook it. “I promise.”
After Julia left, Ash addressed Mrs. Tyler. “Lord Farnborough has expressed concern about a man who seeks revenge for some failed business venture. He fears the fellow might come here.”
“Good heavens.” Mrs. Tyler gasped and put a hand to the cameo on the high collar at her throat.
“His name is Corbet. He has bright red hair. Please don’t admit him. Call the parish constable should he approach you.”
“Indeed I will. Thank you, my lord.”
Ash returned the dog to the curricle. He intended to remain in the area and wait for Corbet to show himself, but as he pulled on his leather gloves, a vehicle rattled down the street. The man driving was unmistakable, his overlong carroty hair showing beneath his cap.
“Hold the horses, Jed.”
Ash waited as the man pulled up his sorry-looking horse. Corbet tied off the reins and alighted. He touched his hat and went to walk past Ash.
“Mr. Corbet.”
