“What did the woman have to say?” asked Bened.
“She chose that man because he has a shop but she neither likes nor respects him. Oh, she did not say so, but you can almost feel it. He should not have hit her as she is smaller and weaker, but she chose him and should at least try to care for more than his shop. It is something one sees too often. My father was very firm with the people who live at Willow Hill but even his rules and punishments could not completely put an end to it.” She picked up her coat and turned to smile at Bened. “And what did that big shop owner have to say for himself?”
“Not much but he was ashamed of himself and that is good. Fool loves her.”
“And I think that is probably the saddest part of it all. I must seek my bed. It has been a very long day with too much excitement, I think.”
“There is one thing I meant to say—I think your aunt may already know where your brother is.”
A chill went through her and she stared at him, dreading learning how he had come to that conclusion. “Do you think she has killed him?”
“Nay or she would not still be around to cause us trouble. Yet, I have been careful to leave no easy trail for them to follow but they still find us. I do not believe it is because they are good trackers but because they are close on your brother’s trail, they might even know where he is heading.”
“That would explain why he never lingers in one place for long and the direction he has taken.”
“You have some idea of where he is going?”
“I think he is headed to Uncle George’s, my mother’s brother. He lives but a few miles from your cousin’s castle with his companion of thirty years. Atop a hill surrounded by fields. No one can creep up on him. Simeon would think it a good place to hide. I just worry that he is bringing more trouble than he knows to Uncle George’s door. Then again, our uncle is an old soldier and no weakling. He would be insulted if we thought him too old to protect his sister’s child.” She watched him closely as she added, “His companion Frederick is also an old soldier so neither one is without some skill at defending themselves or someone else.”
“That will make it a lot easier when we end up there then.”
“So, do you want to just head there?”
“I think it might be a good plan.” He lightly brushed his fingers over her cheek. “Go and get some rest. We can decide in the morning.”
She nodded and headed for her bedchamber, asking the maid to lead her to it. The madness her aunt had pulled her into was exhausting her and she thought a lot of that weariness was of the spirit as well as from an unending fear for her brother. Now she had to be afraid for Bened. Her aunt had clearly decided that he was a problem and wished to be rid of him. How could she have missed this evil in the woman for so long?
As she undressed for bed and washed up, she thought back over the years she had known the woman. The hints of Augusta chasing her and Simeon down had been there but Primrose had never thought her aunt would become murderous. She doubted her father had, either. Even when in the midst of a temper, they had never considered her dangerous. Selfish, greedy, vain, and far too aware of her consequence, something the woman thought was greater than it actually was, but never the sort they needed to watch their backs around. They were paying dearly for that blindness now. She just hoped Simeon was not still blind to the danger their aunt had become.
Lord Simeon Wootten stretched in the bed he shared with Lucy, the inn’s maid. It had been too long since he had enjoyed a woman, or even a night of comfort in a good bed in a warm inn. His body still ached from his time spent with his aunt and her men but not so much that he had been unable to enjoy himself for a little while. He sat up and was pleased to see that his clothing was neatly placed on a chair. He did not wish to show up at Uncle George’s home looking shabby and travel-worn.
A soft rap came at the door and he slipped out of the bed, yanked on his drawers, and went to open it just a little. The stableboy he had paid to watch for anyone asking after him stood there. He sighed, knowing that his moment of peace was about to end.
“Someone has asked after me?”
“Aye, m’lord. Some woman.”
“Did you see her?”
“Nay. She stayed in the carriage and sent her man to speak to me. He was tall, thin, and had silver hair. Big long nose, too.”
“Jenson. Damn.”
“I think he slipped into the stables and had a look around while the old woman talked to me.”
“So they might know I am here.”
“That gelding of yours be easy to spot.”