“I should take Shep outside for a quick walk,” Maggie spoke up. She stood.
“If you will not go to Harlow’s, at least humor me and take someone with you,” Max insisted. The investigators had reported evidence of someone living in the barn area, but they could not tell how recent. He suspected Slade but could not be sure. He did not share that with Meg, thinking to win her cooperation based on the dangers uncovered at her own home. He should have shared what he knew instead of holding back. He suspected if he spoke of it now, they would meet it with skepticism. They would be respectful, but they would not believe him.
How did this whole thing get so out of my control? Meg needs an escort.
He started to order an escort but stopped before the words left his mouth.
“Lady Tipton, Lord Worsley is concerned for your safety. Perhaps a short absence would benefit the situation. Would you consider visiting Harlow Hill with Lady Worsley?” Harlow turned to Lady Worsley. “Countess, we would love to have you visit. Since Father died, Mother has had few visitors. You would both delight her to no end.” Harlow picked up his mug of coffee and smiled over it.
“I appreciate your kind offer, Lord Harlow.” Maggie placed her napkin in her lap. “And there are many reasons to take you up on it, but I feel I should stay here. I cannot explain it much better than that. There are a few things regarding the estate that I want to understand. Besides, I still have stitches in my head that need to come out, and Shep is not quite himself.” She looked around and smiled at her little pup curled up in the corner. “He still needs to mend without exerting himself too much. And he has fallen into a routine here. Dr. Perth thought he will need several weeks to mend.” She leaned forward. “Harriett, if you agree, I should like to stay longer.”
“Meg, you are deflecting,” Max interrupted. “Dr. Perth would see you at Harlow Hill. And Shep can ride in the carriage or stay here, if his traveling worries you. You are the one in danger here,” Max continued, an annoyed tone to his voice.
“My dear, there will be no more discussion of leaving.” Lady Worsley glared at her son.
If Max had learned one thing from the military, it was that sometimes surrender was the only viable course. This was one of those times. He sighed. “Yes, Mother.”
“If you are amenable, I would like to visit the carriage my parents…” The rest of Maggie’s sentence faded to silence.
Lady Worsley cleared her throat. “Are you sure you are ready for that, darling? I do not know that today would be the best day, with the snow covering everything so thoroughly. We have it under a portico behind the stable. My husband called it a porte-cochère.” She sniggered. “It sounds fancier than it is. He had it built to house the coaches readying for trips. We still use most of it for that. But he insisted on using it for your parents, so dear they were to us.” Lady Worsley added, her voice cracking with emotion.
“I would like very much to see it.” Maggie’s voice quieted.
“Ahem…we are getting emotional. If we continue, we will have puddles of tears, I fear. Let me join you, my dear. Little Shep has taken a fancy to exploring. He enjoys the maze. This morning he gave the footman quite a workout chasing him through it. I have not seen Cabot laugh that much in—well, ever! Luckily, I am familiar with the ins and outs.” Lady Worsley chuckled.
“I would like some fresh air myself. Would you mind if I join you, ladies?” Max added, with a hint of resignation in his tone.
“Max, I would like to ride the perimeter with you. With the snow as it is, we should be able to see tracks. It will give some peace of mind,” Harlow added.
“Then we are decided.” Maggie rose and whispered Shep’s name. He immediately stood and shook himself, fluffing his hair. “I want you to stay close by us, Shep.” She crouched down and kissed him on the nose. His tail twitched with happiness and he followed as Maggie left the dining room and walked to the hall. With Cabot’s help, she put on her pelisse, muff, and gloves.
Lady Worsley grabbed her outdoor garb. Max came up behind his mother to assist, and she patted his hand. Her gesture assured him she understood. He wished she agreed instead.
He hurried into his own greatcoat, hat, and gloves, offering each an arm as they headed toward the portico.
Shep scampered to his mother’s roses and began sniffing each of them. “At least he is not running to the maze.” Maggie laughed. “With his white coat, the snow is giving him quite a workout. It almost covers him.” The small dog was having to leap over the snowdrifts.
“Your lordship?” Cabot followed him outside. “Mrs. Andrews said she asked Percy to run an errand for her, but he has not shown up.”
“That is strange. Perhaps I should check the stables for him and make sure nothing has happened.”
“Thank you, my lord.” Cabot shook off the cold and returned to the house.
“Please have Harlow meet me there,” Max said over his shoulder. “We should not be outside too long. It is deceptively cold out here.”
“Indeed,” his mother added. “The sunshine gives the illusion of warmth, but it is bitter.” She snuggled deeper into her muff to make her point. “Look.” She pointed. “I think Shep has picked up the scent of something. Mayhap it is one of the wild game birds. It is almost hard to see him in the snow.” She giggled.
“It is so cold. Shep will not want to be out here long. I only want to see the carriage. I sense it will help me find closure. And I do