“Indeed, I may have to think about this notion of marriage a bit more. I find I like the look in your eyes at this moment.” Moreham chuckled.
Gillian tried to smile, tried to appear unfazed by his gesture. She had no notion he had a playful side. This man was so unpredictable.
Moreham broke off another bit of the scone and took possession of the last slice of cheese. He turned from her to look out over the field around them. Intent on proving the man’s flirtation had no effect on her, she picked up the last bit of scone only to realize her ploy was for naught.
The dratted man was asleep!
Moreham had taken off his wide brimmed hat and laid it on the rug. Gillian grabbed the floppy hat and swatted his arm.
“Moreham, wake up. We should be returning to the house.”
Without so much as a yawn, Moreham sat up. Grinning at her, he repacked the satchel and stood up with his hand out. With a growl, Gillian took his hand.
“You weren’t asleep, were you?” she demanded.
“No, I was watching you. As I said, I must reevaluate my views on marriage. I haven’t had this much fun in years.” With those words he reached down for their blanket and the wicker basket before tossing her up on her horse. The irritating man whistled all the way home.
His words struck Gillian dumb. The man was having fun. She was lying to her uncle, he was risking their lives to catch traitors and the man was having fun. She needed to reevaluate their marriage in particular if this was her husband’s idea of fun.
Gillian and Moreham spent the rest of the day visiting the tenants who had farms on the eastern side of the estate. Moreham knew should anyone ask about their whereabouts, the tenants would provide evidence they had called on the farmers and their families. He marveled at Gillian’s easy manner with her uncle’s tenants.
The highlight of the afternoon was their stop at the tenant holding of her friend Jan and her husband Michael. Jane dragged her off while Michael gave Moreham a tour of his farm. Why couldn’t life be simple for them as it was for her friends?
They rode toward the manor side by side. Only once the manor house was in sight did Gillian speak. “Moreham, tell me the truth. What do you really believe is going on here? Is my uncle a French sympathizer?”
He thought for a moment, trying to find the words to answer her without causing her any more pain. Even thinking such a thought told him how emotionally involved he was with her. Not a good revelation at all. Emotional thinking got many a good man or woman killed. The history books were filled with such. He pulled back on the reins and slowed Paladin down to a halt before answering her.
“I think this group of snakes have survived as long as they have because they are wily. Please don’t be offended, my dear, but I have come to realize your uncle is not an overly intelligent man. He is a simple man who enjoys his comforts and loves his wife and niece to distraction. Not a cold-blooded traitor.”
“Are you waving a flag of surrender?” Gillian laughed. “I’ll fight the urge to tell you I told you so for the time being. I’m so relieved you are coming around to my way of thinking. So, what do we do next? Hide in the cells and wait for the dastards to come. We are but two people even if every traitor in England showed at the abbey, we couldn’t take them into custody.”
“I’ll send for Cross. Others will continue the search for Sturm. Cross won’t be happy with me, but he’ll do his duty as we all do when called to do so. He’ll be here by tomorrow evening. We also have Philly and my mama to help us.
“Five of us to watch another twelve counting the duke and your Aunt Isadora will be enough. I am certain the reason Wednesday night is the meeting night is there will be a full moon. I’ll return tomorrow and scout out the ruins. Once your uncle leaves for the meeting, Cross and I will follow.”
“Moreham, you promised I would be a part of the investigation. You gave me your word.”
“Let’s not worry about the details just yet. As for the meeting, I have no intention of confronting the fiends and arresting anyone. We will hide and observe the attendees. Between Cross and myself, we know most of the gentlemen about Town, of both good and bad repute. We will identify the men. Cross will return to Town and turn the names over to the Alien Office for further investigation and arrests if warranted. No one will ever know of our involvement.”
“What about Uncle Whitney?”
“As I said, I am not convinced he’s involved. Let’s not invite trouble by worrying about Whitney. After spending time with him, I find it hard to believe he is a traitor. However, if he is a part of this conspiracy, he will be arrested with the others.”
“Moreham, I trust you. You must trust me as well. I will not be tossed aside. No matter what happens, I will see to my uncle’s safety. Don’t try to manipulate me to do otherwise.”
She’d timed her vow perfectly. Before he could reply, grooms met them, and their intimate outing was at an end.
Moreham would have preferred to remain with Gillian for the remainder of the afternoon. However, Perkins accosted Gillian with an entreaty to review the house party arrangements one last time.
“Perkins, I will be along in a moment,” she assured the butler before turning to Moreham. A sweet smile curved
