“Meaning what? You could be speaking in riddles.”
“I was reflecting on Margaret and how she’d forged ahead with Sandy after I’d warned her she shouldn’t. I actually had the audacity to claim he wasn’t worthy of her.”
“You’ve always been a bit blind.”
“After thinking about them constantly, I began thinking about you and me.”
“There is no you and me,” she churlishly retorted. “You’re being ridiculous.”
“When I returned from Scotland, I went by your cottage—before I proceeded to the manor. You can’t imagine how shocked I was to stumble on the rubble.”
“You can’t imagine how shocked I was to have lived through the inferno.”
He grinned slyly. “I know who started the fire.”
“So do I.” Or at least she had her suspicions.
“It was Kit,” he said, confirming them. “He’s admitted it too. Were you aware that Mutt attacked him in an altercation? He nearly wrenched Kit’s leg off.”
“Good.” She wasn’t usually vengeful, but she was delighted that Kit had suffered. “He almost killed Mutt. He almost killed me and Clara. I’m not sorry if he was injured.”
“He was more than injured. His wound is infected. He may die from it.”
“I hope he can find a skilled doctor to tend him.”
Jacob chuckled. “I told him he was stupid to have chased you away. You’re the one person who could have nursed him back to health. He was quite feverish though, so I doubt he grasped the irony.”
She recollected how she’d hexed him, and it was gratifying to discover that her power had been so effective—and that it had worked so fast too.
“What will happen to him?”
“He’s been arrested, and once I’m home, he’ll be tried for attempted murder.”
She frowned. “Who did he try to murder?”
“You, you silly girl! He insisted he simply planned to terrorize you, but I’m not sure that’s true. I’m betting his motive was more felonious than that.”
“I hadn’t really considered his actions being that dire, but he could have easily murdered us. I woke up and smelled smoke, so we escaped before the flames grew too intense.”
“He’s committed other crimes I should point out. He’s been embezzling from me for years.”
“He’s a fiend, so I’m not surprised. Who will run the estate for you now?”
“Sandy has agreed to it, but I’ve been debating whether I shouldn’t retire from the navy and manage the property myself. I’ve never been interested in it, but that was because my mother’s presence kept me away. With her not being there during my recent visit, I enjoyed myself very much.”
“You should take an interest in it. You’re lucky to own it. I’ve never thought you were grateful—about anything.”
He snorted at that. “My cousin, Roxanne, has been arrested with Kit, and she’ll be prosecuted with him.”
“On what charge?”
“I believe she was out in the woods that night when he threw his torch through your window. If she wasn’t, I figure she sent him over there, so it will be arson and attempted murder.”
“Could I tell you something about them? Something awful?”
“I don’t suppose it would be the fact that they’re Clara’s parents?”
She blanched. “How did you find out?”
“You don’t seem to realize that your chum, Caroline Grey, had Caleb fetch me here. Actually, he rode to Ralston Place to see if I’d been recalled to duty. They were worried I seduced you, then rid myself of you by having Kit lie and claim I’d fled England. While Caleb was with me, he blabbed your secrets.”
“I thought Caleb had an emergency in town.”
“He had an emergency all right, but it was with me. He had to discover my opinion on several issues.”
“What issues?”
“I’ll get to those in a minute. First, how long have you known about Kit and Roxanne? Why keep the information to yourself?”
“I found out a few weeks ago when Roxanne stopped by my cottage. Clara was there too, and they look exactly alike. I was suspicious.”
“You didn’t know before then?”
Joanna shook her head. “My Aunt Pru, the woman who delivered Clara? She wrote me a note about it, but she begged me not to peek at it unless there was an important reason. Once the truth was revealed, I was conflicted about my role. I was afraid you wouldn’t believe me or that you might kill the messenger. I was also afraid of them and how they might retaliate.”
“Fair enough.” He nodded. “I’ve been wondering about this: Would you have let me walk down the aisle with Roxanne? With what you’d unearthed, could you have?”
“Well, Captain Ralston, I’m certain you’ll deem me mad, but I was positive you wouldn’t be marrying her.”
“How could you be so sure?”
“I read your cards and learned that you would wed someone else—and wind up very happy.”
“You’re so convinced that your talents provide correct answers. Have you ever been wrong?”
“Not very often. Humans have free will, but they end up where they’re destined to be. Occasionally, they take a circuitous route to where they belong.”
“Did the cards tell you who I’m meant to marry? If it’s not Roxanne, who will it be?”
“I have no idea.”
The notion left her very sad. Now that she was with him again, she was being bombarded with affection. They’d had such a brief amour, but they’d grown so close. Her potent feelings hadn’t had a chance to wane. Where was she to put the fond sentiment rolling around inside her?
“I broke off my engagement to Roxanne,” he said.
“I should hope so. You couldn’t wed a woman who’s been charged with attempted murder.”
“You don’t seem to be aware of what this indicates.”
“You’re a bachelor again.”
His sly grin popped out once more. “Yes, and I can start searching for another bride. I’m very excited about it too. When I decided to proceed previously, I had my mother deal with it for me.”
“Since she picked Roxanne, I can’t laud her for her choice.”
“I heartily concur, so now, I can select a candidate who I view as being perfect for me.”
He was staring at her like