Nash slowed thehorse Nora had given him as he neared the sleeping town he and Maxey visited earlier that day. He’d prayed there would be a good excuse not to take Maxey with him this time, because he didn’t want to upset Lucinda or have her worried. Thankfully, when he’d checked on Maxey, she was resting peacefully. Nora told him they had talked, and Maxey forgave her, which brought him relief.
Now, if everything would work out perfectly with Lucinda, his future might be getting better as well.
Clouds covered the moon and didn’t give him much light as he crept back to Lucinda’s house. Every few feet he stopped and surveyed the area, keeping a sharp eye out for his uncle or the ruthless men who worked for him. A light wind blew against his face, slightly cooling his heated skin. Trying to keep hidden was more work than he had anticipated.
Finally, he made it to the yard, then through the gate. He stopped again and listened. In the distance, the gentle strum of a guitar and a familiar folk song from one of the neighboring homes drifted through the air, bringing a reminder of his time spent with Lucinda. For a brief period, his life was filled with joy and love. Although he’d missed his real family, Lucinda made a great replacement.
Through the kitchen window, a low-burning lamp sat on the table. Resting his hand on the doorknob, he took a deep breath and prayed all would go his way. He turned the handle, and the door clicked open. With his heart beating in a fierce rhythm, he stepped inside. A cinnamon scent wafted through the air and shook his memory. He grinned. She had made his favorite sticky buns.
“Lucinda? Are you there?” he asked in a low voice.
The rustle of material came from the far corner of the darkened hallway, and he sucked in his breath. From the shadows came a figure of a round, short woman, waddling closer.
“Lucinda? Is that you?”
“Stand by the light,” the familiar voice commanded.
Nash smiled and walked to the table to stand next to the lamp.
From the quiet room came her gasp. Through the semidarkness he saw her hand fly to her throat. “Nash.”
Tears of joy filled his eyes. “Lucinda? Please do not deny my presence. I need you now.”
The older woman took another step closer, still not quite into the light. Her hands twisted against her middle as she shook her head. “It is very dangerous, my boy. Men want to kill you, and they will kill me if I say I know you.”
“It is my uncle. I believe he is trying to take over the Wentworth title, and he killed my brother for it. He is now hunting me. If he kills me, he will kill my nephew.”
“Oh dear.” Her hand trembled as she brought it to her throat. “Matthew Burke is a powerful man.”
“But he must be stopped. And I am the only man who can stop him.”
“Impossible,” she mumbled.
“No, Lucinda. All I need is to find my brother’s ring in Matthew’s possession. That will prove he killed my brother. But I need your help to tell me where I should search.”
“Matthew Burke plans on stopping you.”
Nash fisted his hands. “I will not allow him that privilege.”
She stepped closer, the light barely touching her face. Wrinkles he had never seen before creased the skin around her sad eyes and frown. Pain tugged at his heart.
“I believe you,” she whispered.
“Please, help me stop him.”
She nodded. “In his bedchamber he has a hidden shelf under the ledge of the hearth. While working for him, I saw him place items in there to hide them.”
“I thank you, Lucinda. You may have just saved our lives.”
“I shall pray for your safety.” She swiped under her moist eyes. “And I shall never forget you.”
“I shall cherish our memories as well.” He smiled before turning toward the door, but then he stopped and glanced back at her. “Lucinda? What made my uncle come find you this time?”
“I don’t know. But he has ways. He sent one of his men to warn me—a slender, young, handsome man that did not appear dangerous when I first talked with him. He was charming when he showed me your miniature and asked questions about your past. I told him I had worked for your uncle and thought of you as my son. He seemed surprised at first, then he became angry. That was when he threatened me.”
Confusion swept over Nash, and he shook his head. “There was only one man?”
“Yes.”
