Page 16 of The Swan Syndicate
“Aah. I know the horse.” Stella picked up her skirts and squatted so she was eye level with the tiny creature that stumbled on his long legs. He slowly approached, and she waited, allowing him to take a gentle sniff before he made a funny leap and raced back to his mama’s side. She laughed, andJamie helped her up. “This is one horse I wouldn’t mind being around.”
“If memory serves, you didn’t seem to have any issue with a horse when you road to East End.” Hensley sounded amused, though he hadn’t been when he’d first heard about it.
“They seem to be growing on me. Tell me, Hensley, is this mission of yours just a reconnaissance mission?”
The men glanced at each other before Hensley answered. “It is. Why do you ask?”
“The timing seems interesting. That something so important would come up the same time Beckworth was scheduled to travel back to Waverly.”
“A truly amazing coincidence.” Hensley patted the mare, then strode through the stable door, turning as he relatched it. He gave her one of his unreadable expressions though his lips twitched. “I have some time this afternoon if you’re interested in a game of chess.”
“I’ll meet you in the library.” She watched him stroll down the aisle, stopping to glance into stalls, taking a moment to admire a horse. Once he was far enough away, she turned to Jamie. “Have you already asked him to go with you?”
“He just returned home after several months. There’s much to catch up on before the hunting party.”
“From what he told me, he’d left detailed instructions with Barrington, his property manager, and Mrs. Walker before leaving for Baywood. He spoke with all of them for an hour last night and, being a rather intelligent man, is probably all caught up. So, let’s cut to the chase, shall we?”
Jamie gave a last look at the foal then motioned Stella out of the stall. She picked up her coffee, and though it had grown cold, still tasted good. He seemed to be collecting his thoughts, so she remained silent as they walked back to the manor. But instead of leading her inside, he took her for a stroll through the garden.
A thin haze still covered the sun, and a light film of clouds had moved in. The air was damp, like any Oregon winter day, and it felt good on her skin as they walked among the long-dead flowers. She took note of the few winter flowers that poked through the weathered garden remains.
“Has Beckworth mentioned the mission?” Jamie asked.
“He doesn’t have to.”
Jamie chuckled. “The two of you seem to know each other quite well. You’re alike in many ways.”
“Nosy and interfering?”
Jamie’s laugh echoed through the garden and could probably be heard in the manor. “I was going to say curious and resolute.”
She grinned. “Finn said you were becoming a fine diplomat.”
“One has to be as a ship’s captain. It’s not easy keeping dozens of men happy on a sea voyage.”
“I never considered that. I just assumed you’d keep them busy with tasks.”
“I should add wise to your list of attributes.”
“Wise enough to know when you’re skirting the issue.”
He huffed out a breath. “I can’t speak for Hensley, and he hasn’t said much about it. When he first asked me to meet him at Waverly and mentioned his problem, he did let something slip. I suppose more of an off-handed comment that it was too bad Beckworth wasn’t part of his network anymore. There’s no question this job suits his talents. And Beckworth confirmed last night that, to his knowledge, had never seen MacDuff. But I won’t lie. Hensley’s timing for bringing us together at Waverly under the guise of a mere postponement of the hunting party hasn’t fooled any of us.”
She let silence walk with them before switching the topic. “I’m still learning about this time period, but some things aren’t that different in mine. Men tend to ignore women, except for those they want to bed.”
Jamie barked a laugh. “We need to spend more time together. You are a bold one.”
She grinned. “I would have thought AJ had prepared you for the modern woman.”
“I think you raise the stakes a bit higher.”
“You’re not wrong there.”
They had reached the back of the manor. He stopped at the door to the solarium and turned to her. “Most of our time will be spent at sea. I hear you don’t do well on ships.”
“It was better on my second voyage, but I brought medicine for it this time.”
His brow lifted. “For a weekend hunting party.”
