Page 75 of Mail-Order Lady

Clara answered first. “My mother. And her solicitor. A Mr. Sutton.”

Nathan’s expression and his gaze narrowed like he was puzzling something. “Solicitor sailed on my ship.”

The entire room went still. Only Catherine’s soft babbling sounded over the thickness of Robert’s mind, trying to catch up with the thread.

“What do you mean?” James asked.

“The man who just left. He was on the Amity when I sailed from England.” Nathan’s voice came stronger now, more certain. “The ship I took to get here.”

Enoch pushed from the window, his rifle coming up a fraction. “You’re certain?”

Nathan met Enoch’s stare without flinching. “I got a good look out the window. I don’t usually get faces wrong.”

The weight in Robert’s chest pressed harder. Clara’s mother showing up with a solicitor who’d just arrived from London—on the same ship Nathan had taken. That couldn’t be coincidence.

Had she met him in Fort Benton? Or earlier on her journey west? Perhaps she’d mentioned the name Balfour and he’d immediately attached to her.

Or had he reached out to her beforehand? Maybe Reginald was spreading his net wider. Contacting the family of each of the brothers’ wives.

The thought sent ice through his veins.

“I’m going after him.” Enoch turned to the door.

“Wait.” James started too.

Enoch paused and turned.

“We need a solid plan.” James halted, then glanced around the room. “It’s not Reginald, right?” He looked back at Enoch.

Had any of them ever actually seen the man?

Enoch shook his head. “I don’t remember what he looks like. I was too young.”

“Would he favor Father?” Thomas asked. “They’re cousins, after all.”

Robert strained for any memory, any description Father might have mentioned. He’d only visited America a few times in all these years. And his power-hungry cousin wasn’t typically a topic of conversation.

“Regardless of whether that’s Reginald or someone he sent, I think we treat the threat the same.” James braced his hands at his waist. “We talk to him. And we make sure we have the law there with us.”

Enoch scanned the room, his gaze running over the women. “I don’t think we should all go. Maybe just two of us. The rest stay here to watch the place.” His gaze lifted to scan each of the brothers. “He might have men watching the house.”

With what Reginald had done already, that could well be the case. Maybe only one brother should go. But that would put him defenseless on the journey to and from Walnut Springs. Easy enough to pick off by a marksman’s shot.

James nodded. “I’ll go with you.” He turned to Robert, then Thomas. “You two watch things here.”

“Of course.” Thomas made the job sound easy, but that was Thomas. He knew the real truth of it.

“I can shoot a rifle.” Nathan spoke from the chair. “Or a cannon, if need be.” That last part came with the hint of a curve at his mouth. A joke. The first time, as far as Robert had heard.

Enoch eyed him, and Nathan met his gaze. There didn’t seem to be as much contention in this look. Just a quiet determination on Nathan’s side. For Enoch’s part, maybe he was realizing that they might actually need Nathan’s help.

At last, Enoch turned away. “All right. James and I ride to town. The rest of you keep a watch like we have been.” Instead of moving to the door, he aimed through the center of the chairs. Toward little Catherine, still babbling in Rose’s lap.

Enoch swooped up the babe, lifting her into the air before settling her in the crook of his arm. “You come help me get a few things.”

He sent a look toward Mandie, who stood behind the settee. As he moved around the furniture and headed to the hall that led to their bed chamber, Mandie followed.

There was a chance Enoch might not come back from this trip to town. James too.