Page 89 of If Not for the Duke

“That’s exactly what he’s doing,” Bernie declared, her eyes glittering with anger. “He insists I know something that will aid him and refuses to believe otherwise.”

“Don’t you think if we did, we would’ve shared it with him?” Sterling demanded.

“When I told him you’d both been seen with one of David Wright’s daughters, he was certain you were holding something back.” The man jerked at the reins of his restless horse. “Then I heard about the letters Lady Bernice found, and I knew you had discovered some clues.” He looked between Bernie and Sterling as his horse threatened to rear. “This isn’t over.”

“Yes, it is, Winslow,” Sterling said and reached for the man’s reins.

Winslow jerked them away, then with one last glance at the pistol on the ground, he spun his mount and kicked it into a gallop, fleeing the scene.

Charles, the other groom, arrived, leading Sterling’s horse.

Sterling took the reins and then pointed toward Winslow. “Follow him but keep your distance as he could be dangerous. I want to know where he goes.”

The servant did as he requested, leaving Sterling to look over Bernie, his heart pounding madly at the memory of the gun pointed at her. “Are you all right?”

Bernie nodded as she blinked rapidly. “He insisted I tell him what I discovered in the letters. I explained there were no details about the location of the treasure in them, but he didn’t believe me.” She pressed her hand to her heart as if hoping to calm it.

Sterling was tempted to do the same to his own. Instead, he glanced at Bernie’s groom. “Thomas, are you well?”

The man nodded, seeming to regain his composure. “Yes, Your Grace. He came upon us so suddenly. I’m terribly sorry.” He shook his head, clearly overwhelmed by the unexpected experience. His gaze fell to the pistol.

“Escort Lady Bernice home and take this with you.” Sterling retrieved the gun and handed it to Thomas. “I’m going to see if I can catch up with Charles and Winslow.”

“Sterling, be careful.” Bernie’s eyes were dark with worry behind her spectacles.

“I will. You do the same.” He glanced at them both. “There’s always a chance Ludham will make an appearance.” Lena had said the viscount wasn’t truly working with Winslow, but Sterling was still not certain what to believe.

“Yes, Your Grace.” Thomas nodded at Sterling’s order.

Sterling leapt onto his horse and took off at a gallop. But within a few minutes, he realized Winslow and Charles had disappeared. He’d have to wait for the servant’s return to learn the outcome.

He took some comfort that he already knew where Winslow lived and the places he frequented. With effort, he should be able to locate him if the groom was unsuccessful. Bernie’s welfare was more important than tracking Winslow through the woods.

After one last look in the direction he thought they’d gone, he turned his horse toward home, patting its neck and keeping a slower pace.

The near miss of the moment began to sink in, chilling him to the bone. If Winslow was desperate enough to draw a weapon on a lady just to gain information about the location of possible treasure, chances were that he would’ve been willing to use it.

He shuddered at the thought of Bernie injured again, or worse. Thank goodness Lena had warned him. But how had she known Bernie was in danger? One moment they had been discussing Ludham’s confession, and the next she’d been urging him to go after Bernie.

He didn’t pretend to know how that had come about, but he intended to find out.

*

Lena rose topace Sterling’s study, growing more worried with each minute that passed. Foster had looked in on her a few times to see if there was anything she needed. He’d also escorted Nancy to the kitchen to visit with the other servants while she waited.

They should’ve returned by now. Had Sterling arrived in time? Was Bernie well?

She pressed a hand against her knotted stomach, knowing Sterling would demand answers when he returned. She told herself she should appreciate this time alone as it allowed her to collect herself and prepare an answer. But at this point, she’d rather face Sterling’s questions and be done with them.

The only response she could offer was the truth.

As suspicious as Sterling was, she held little hope that he’d accept her answer. Just when she thought they were forming a deeper connection, this had happened. She feared it would drive a wedge between them. Trying to explain her gift was impossible. She need only think of how Mrs. Johnson, her father’s partner’s wife, had reacted, crossing herself as if Lena were evil or the like. She wasn’t the first to respond that way. What people didn’t understand, they feared.

Her family were the only ones who’d accepted her gift. How unfortunate that none of them were here at the moment. She sighed. Now wasn’t the time to feel sorry for herself. Her focus needed to remain on Bernie.

The sound of voices in the corridor sent her heart racing. She hurried to the door in time to see Bernie step inside, speaking to Foster. Lena’s knees were weak with relief as she rushed toward her. “Bernie?”

Bernie’s eyes widened in surprise at the sight of her. “Lena? I didn’t realize you were here.”

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