Page 39 of The Wrong Duke

“Simon!’ Lord Winstead cried out. “Simon! Where have you —!” He cut himself off with a silent curse and looked apologetically at Lord Lindstone. “That boy, I swear.”

“I’m sure he’s fine.”

“The storm.” Lord Winstead indicated to the darkening clouds in the sky; they were heavy and grey, swirling together like whirlpools which threatened to burst at any moment. “I don’t want him getting caught in it.”

“Go,” Lord Lindstone suggested. “we’ll be right behind you.”

Lord Winstead groaned and started ahead, picking up pace as he pushed through the brush and disappeared from sight. “Simon!” his voice cried out. “Slow down!”

“Maybe we should be heading back?” David suggested and looked at the cloud covered sky. “The storm can’t be far.”

“I think you’re right. When Lord Winstead returns. In fact...” Lord Lindstone came to a slow stop. “...I think here is as good a spot as any to wait.”

“Agreed.” David looked up and caught Evan lurking a few feet back. “Don’t you dare.”

“Dare what?” Evan asked, confused for a moment.

“Shoot us while we’re stationary. It would hardly be fair.”

Evan grinned as he approached the two lords. “I prefer a moving target. Although for you, I might make an exception.” To that joke, David chortled and shook his head. Lord Lindstone, however, glared at Evan as if he was being serious.

“I’m sorry the hunt came up so short,” Lord Lindstone apologized to David, purposefully ignoring Evan. “Usually, this forest is full of pheasants. I’ve even killed a boar or two in my time.”

“Is that right?” David said, sounding impressed.

“I thought I saw a boar earlier,” Evan interjected, winking at David and then inclining his head slightly toward Lord Lindstone. “Two of them, in fact.”

David widened his eyes in warning.

“I doubt it,” Lord Lindstone said dryly. “There hasn’t been one spotted in here for years.”

“I must have been seeing things,” Evan agreed jovially. “Two great big things as it was.”

“Lord Lindstone,” David hurried to cut Evan off before his meaning became clear, “I’ve been meaning to say — we both have...” He eyed Evan warningly. “...thank you for this weekend. It really has been a treat.”

“Think nothing of it. I was glad that you were able to make it.” Lord Lindstone turned so that Evan was cut off from the conversation. “It has been wonderful having you here. I know my daughter, Amelia, was most pleased with your being here.”

“It was lovely to get to know her better,” David nodded.

“She would say the same,” Lord Lindstone hurried to agree. “She was most insistent that I invite you. She checked and double checked with me that you would be coming.”

“Is that so?” David frowned as if he couldn’t believe it. “I’m glad to hear it.”

“Of course,” Lord Lindstone nodded, eyes flashing. Evan watched him closely, noting the way the Lord licked his lips, reading his mind before he got a chance to speak. “In fact, seeing as we are speaking of my daughter —”

“I don’t mean to interrupt,” Evan spoke quickly, “but do you think we should check on Lord Winstead and his son? The way Lord Winstead was carrying his rifle earlier, I’m worried he might have accidentally shot him.”

“I’m sure he is fine,” Lord Lindstone snapped. “Lord Winstead is a perfectly capable hunter.”

“It takes one to know one, I suppose.”

“Your meaning?” Lord Lindstone spun to face Evan, finally catching up to the fact that he was being mocked. And again, as he did, the rifle tucked under his arm pointed itself right at Evan’s head.

“If you don’t mind?” Evan ducked out of the way. “I’d rather not be mistaken for a boar. Real or imaginary.”

“How dare —”

What sounded like the crack of a rifle firing echoed suddenly through the forest. It shook the trees about them, sending the birds in the canopy to flight. As one, all three men spun in the direction of where Lord Winstead and his son had disappeared, and Evan was forced to hold his tongue, lest he say something that, now, had gone beyond a mere joke.

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