As I closed my eyes, I couldn’t shake the feeling my sister was still hiding something from me. Hopefully, now that we seemed to be back in accord with each other, it wouldn’t be long before she told me.
JUST BECAUSE WE WERE speaking to each other again did not mean I had any desire to sit and listen to Sarah chatter with her friend. So when Sarah invited me to walk with her to the Sandwood’s, I politely declined.
Unless I was mistaken, I was reasonably sure she intended to tell Miss Sandwood how their assumption about Mr. Richfield was utterly wrong.
Instead, I set out on a walk with Will. We hadn’t had a chance to spend much time together since I had returned. He and I were the most alike out of all of us siblings, so I was glad to have a chance to be with him.
“Are you looking forward to James coming back?” I asked, referring to our older brother.
Will’s affirmative answer was brief as his eyes moved across the countryside. I had a good idea why he’d agreed to walk with me. He had taken the lead immediately, and that could only mean one thing. “We’re going to where the highwayman robbed the Knightons, aren’t we?” I asked in resignation.
“Yes.” That was all he said for a moment, and then he scrutinized at me with a wide grin appearing on his face. “Are you scared?”
“Scared? Hardly. We’re going in broad daylight. It’s something that happened days ago. We’re hardly going to be in any danger.”
Will shrugged. “It’s still going to be exciting though, right?”
His enthusiasm was contagious and I couldn’t help being a little interested in where the robbery had happened. “Right,” I said, smiling back at him. I was glad I’d worn one of my oldest gowns and my sturdiest boots for this walk. An overnight rain had made the ground muddy. “Do you think you’ll find some clue everyone else missed?”
“Maybe.”
I laughed at that. We spent the rest of the cross country walk to the woods teasing each other. At one point, we were even shoving each other. It was harder for me now Will had gone through a growth spurt and towered over me. I realized then I had to look up at him.
“When did you get so tall?”
“I’ve been this tall for a while.” He grabbed my arm and pointed ahead of us. “Look! We’re here!”
Letting me go, Will ran ahead, and I walked after him at a much slower pace. This particular stretch of the road appeared exactly like the rest. Trees grew on both sides, their branches stretching over the road. I remembered playing Robin Hood in this area with Sarah and my brothers not too many years earlier.
“So, do you see anything?” I asked, going over to where Will was kneeling down, staring at the ground. “Some great sign everyone else missed?”
I’d never seen him look so disappointed. “No,” he said, standing up. “There’s been too many people walking and riding through here.” He brightened a split second later. “But maybe if we look at the trees we’ll find something.”
He darted off to check his new theory. Deciding to let him have his fun, I wandered along the roadside, picking some of the wildflowers that were blooming. We both spent our time occupied in this way for several minutes before I heard the unmistakable sound of hoofbeats.
“Will, someone is coming.” When I didn’t get an answer, I groaned. I didn’t want to be found alone, so I set off after my brother. “Will, answer me! William! Answer me right now, or I promise I’m going to go straight home and tell Mother!”
With each sentence, my voice rose. Since I couldn’t know whether my brother had done something stupid or chose not to answer because he was trying to scare me, I became increasingly angry and worried. “William Forester! Answer me right now!”
“Miss Forester?”
The voice that spoke startled me, even though I recognized it right away. “Mr. Richfield?” I spun around. The man was walking towards me from the road. Had it been his horse’s hoofbeats I had heard on the road? Relieved, I hurried to meet him. “I’m trying to find my brother. He took off this way, and now he’s not answering me.”
“I assumed since I heard you shouting,” Mr. Richfield said. He took my gloved hands in his and squeezed them reassuringly. “Don’t worry. I’ll help you find him. He is undoubtedly completely focused on what he’s looking for.”
I forced a smile. “Yes, some trail everyone missed that will lead him to the lair of the highwayman.”
To my surprise, concern appeared on Mr. Richfield's face. “You two are out here, alone, searching for a criminal?”
“Will is the one who chose to walk this way. You saw for yourself how interested he is in this matter. So, here we are.”
“Why didn’t you try to stop him? Surely you know this man might be dangerous!”
His sharp tone, though flattering with all its concern, annoyed me. “What possible danger could there be? It was days ago! Any sensible criminal would be long gone, would he not? What harm is there in letting Will explore if that is what he wants to do?”
“Diana?”
My brother’s uneasy voice interrupted any reply from Mr. Richfield. I spun around to face my brother, whose appearance was of one who had found a mud puddle and rolled in it. “Will! What happened to you?”
“I tripped,” Will said simply. He sent a narrow-eyed look past me. “Are you well?”
The warning and real question in his voice were clear, even to me: ‘Don’t hurt with my sister’ and ‘Is this man bothering you?’ I was touched by my brother’s concern for my well being. “I am perfectly fine, Will. Mr. Richfield and I were discussing the safety of being in the area.”
“I can protect my sister,” Will said haughtily. It was difficult not to laugh at the incongruity of the situation: him covered in mud but somehow sounding like a titled gentleman. My younger brother walked over to stand next to me, and we faced Mr. Richfield. “Besides, there’s no tracks or footprints to show the highwayman came this way.”
Breathing out a sigh, Mr. Richfield nodded. “I have no doubt you would defend your sister’s honor to the best of your ability. I apologize if I have caused any offense.”
“We should start back,” I said, glancing up at the sky through the branches. “Mother will be wondering where we’ve gotten ourselves.”
“May I walk with you?”
To my amusement, Will’s gaze became expectant. I nodded once. “You may,” Will said, with an odd formality that was hilarious to hear coming from him. And as the three of us began walking, Will stayed by my side, as if to make the point clear he was going to protect me even from Mr. Richfield if the occasion arose.
There was silence until we reached the road, and Mr. Richfield crossed to where his horse was tied to a low hanging branch. “I heard you getting angry, and I was worried,” Will said in a low voice. “I thought you might have been in trouble.”
“Thank you for coming to my rescue, Will, but I was fine,” I said, just as quietly. “Mr. Richfield and I were disagreeing about a point. Think nothing of it.”
Leading his horse, Mr. Richfield returned to us. “Lead the way.”
Glancing once more at me, Will took off in his usual fashion. The only difference this time was how he glanced back to check on me as I walked next to Mr. Richfield. Concern from my brother was heartwarming as I’d never seen him take such an interest in my welfare.
“I’ve upset you.”
“Yes,” I said honestly. I kept my eyes forward, on where my brother crouched down examining something on the ground. “Do you think so little of me you believe I would knowingly allow my brother to follow a course of danger?”
“If he chose to follow such a course, would you be able to stop him? Or would you get pulled into the danger yourself?”
I opened my mouth to answer but paused as I gave the matter some thought. “Perhaps he wouldn’t listen to me. However, I do hope I would have the sense to avoid danger, Mr. Richfield.”
“Or would your sense of duty and affection for your siblings blind you to the danger?�
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That was going too far! I glared at him. Before I could speak though, Mr. Richfield raised his hands and said, “I mean nothing by it, Miss Forester, I can assure you! There’s no need to glare at me so, otherwise your brother may return to run me through where I stand. And I think he would not hesitate to do so.”
At the thought, I couldn't keep from giggling. “True. Though why must you needle me about the bond I have with my siblings? Is it so odd for us to be as close as we are?”
“No. It is refreshing. But it does make me wonder just how far you would follow them or what lengths you would go to protect them.”
That was an idea I had never considered before. I loved my brothers, and even Sarah, with my whole heart. Was that a weakness? How far would I go to protect my siblings? What would I be willing to risk for them? My reputation? My well-being?
“I don’t know,” I said slowly. Sighing, I shook my head. “What would you do for your sisters?”
My words silenced him, and I was mildly pleased to have turned the tables on him. We walked for a short time without saying anything. Annoyance drained away as I took a deep breath of the spring air.
“I’m sorry,” I said, blurting the words out when I could not stand the silence a moment longer. Out of the corner of my eye, I say Mr. Richfield turn towards me with a start. “I should not have snapped at you back in the woods as I did. I had no reason to be angry with you, and I apologize.”
Mr. Richfield gaped at me. “You are the peacemaker of the family, aren’t you?”
I shrugged my shoulders in an unladylike manner I’d picked up from my brothers. “Oh, I don’t know about that. But my mother always said I should learn to know when I was in the wrong and have the decency to admit to it.”
“Your mother is an uncommonly wise woman.”
“The wisest.”
Coming to a stop, Mr. Richfield reached out and caught my hand, making me stop walking as well. “I am sorry as well,” he said, sincerely. “I shouldn’t have berated you as I did. I was merely concerned you did not know what you were about, being in a woods alone when a criminal had been in the area. I know you to be more sensible than that, and should not have let my feelings take over.”
He had been worried about me. “You have my full forgiveness,” I said, feeling the blush spread across my cheeks. “Although, you know I can’t speak for Will. He may not be so forgiving considering you did ruin his adventure.”
We both observed Will picking up a rock and was studying it. “I think he’s probably forgotten all about it,” Mr. Richfield said with amusement.
“Oh, no! Do not let him fool you. He is merely letting you think he has forgotten when in reality he is biding his time to exact his revenge.”
“And will it be horrible revenge?”
“The worst!”
Our gazes met, and we both began to laugh. It felt right, the most comfortable thing in the world. “Diana,” Will said, sounding annoyed. “We should be getting back home. There’s nothing to be found here.”
“Coming.” I fought to control my amusement. Then, I realized Mr. Richfield was still holding my hand and pulled it free with an embarrassed flush.
“Yes, let’s not annoy him any further, else you will find yourself on the receiving end of some horrible revenge,” Mr. Richfield said for my ears only. I choked on my laughter. He offered a low bow. “I will leave you here, Miss Forester, and hope to see you again soon.”
“Good day, Mr. Richfield,” I said in response. I stepped back as he mounted and Will came to my side. Mr. Richfield tipped his hat and took off across the country. I stayed where I was to watch him but shook myself into activity after a few moments. “Mother will not be happy when she sees you, Will.”
My brother just shrugged, looking at me quizzically “I’ll just distract her by telling her Mr. Richfield was holding your hand.”
“Will! You wouldn’t dare! It wasn’t like that!” Shrugging, Will took off, and I didn’t hesitate to dash after him. “Will!”
Chapter Seven
Of course, there was no possible way I could catch him. Our game of chase ended when I finally lost sight of Will. So much for thinking he wished to protect me. Breathing heavily, I slowed to a walk. I plucked the petals off one of the wildflowers I’d gathered as I made my way back home.
I had nearly reached the edge of the gardens when I saw a black horse race across the horizon. I knew it immediately: Phillip Knighton’s favorite horse. Pausing to watch the distant figure ride out of sight, I felt a moment of sadness. There was a time, once, when I would have waved to him to catch his attention.
Shaking my head, I hurried around to the front of the house. I bit back a laugh as I saw our father had managed to catch Will by the arm. “Will, what happened this time?” he asked, a note of resignation in his voice as I drew nearer. He inspected my muddy brother with a raised eyebrow. “Were you out looking for the highwayman?”
Will managed to look abashed. “Yes, sir. But—”
“Young man, I want you to go in and clean up before your mother catches you. You can tell me about your adventure when you are not covered in all the mud in the county.”
My laugh earned me a glare from Will before he went in the house. “Did the two of you have a good walk?” Father asked, turning to me.
Smiling broadly, I looped my arm around my father’s, leaning against him affectionately. “It was informative.” Deciding that telling my parents myself what had happened would be the best way to defend myself against Will’s plan of attack, I said, “Mr. Richfield was riding today and walked with us.”
“Was this an accidental meeting, or a lover’s clandestine arrangement?”
I jerked to a stop at my father’s overly dramatic tone. “Papa!” I could feel my cheeks burning with embarrassment. “Of course it wasn’t! I wouldn’t— Why would you—”
Father burst out laughing. “‘The lady protests too much, methinks!’” His Shakespeare quote would typically have amused me. I hadn’t gotten my love of reading only from Mother.
Pulling my arm free, I shook my head. “Papa! I know better than to do anything that would bring shame to the family!”
“Yes, I know, Diana.” Father put his arm around my shoulders for a moment. “And how was this accidental meeting with Mr. Richfield informative?”
His tone was the epitome serious, but I had the feeling he was still teasing me. For a moment, I hesitated to answer. “Well, for one thing, he confessed his concern that Will and I were out chasing a highwayman. In fact, he was more than concerned; he was worried for my safety.”
When I focused on my father, I saw his expression become thoughtful. “You’re convinced of his affection for you now?”
“I suppose I am.”
“And what do you intend to do about it?”
As seemed to be a habit now, I bit my lip as I considered. “Well, he has not spoken about the future. I think perhaps we are taking some time to become better acquainted. To be sure we will get on well enough to make a life together.”
“That is a wise decision.” He started walking, and I fell into step beside him. “Your mother told me about Sarah and her expectations. Has she recovered yet?”
“She seemed to. But, who knows what her thoughts will be once she gets back from revealing all to Charlotte Sandwood.”
That drew a sigh from Father. It was no secret Sarah tended to be influenced a great deal by her friend. “Sarah must learn when some things are best not well known. If she gives you any more trouble on the matter, send her to me.”
Smiling, I raised myself up on the tips of my toes to kiss Father’s cheek. “Thank you.”
“Now run along,” Father said as we approached the house. “I have to look over the estate accounts.”
Nodding, I reached to take my bonnet off as I moved ahead to enter ahead of him. It was a pleasant feeling knowing I had the approval of both of my parents. Will seemed to accept Mr. Richfield’s entrance into my life begrudgi
ngly. Hopefully, Sarah would come to accept the situation as well.
The sound of hoofbeats echoed behind me, and I glanced over my shoulder. It took me a moment to recognize the brown mare Mr. Knighton generally rode. “I didn’t know you were meeting with Mr. Knighton today.”
“Yes, he has some concerns about the highwayman,” Father said, turning to wave a welcome at our approaching neighbor, the father of Phillip Knighton and my dear friend Lady Carlyle. “That there has been no trace of the man suggests he may know our country well.”
“I don’t believe it!”
Father patted my shoulder. “Knighton, Sandlwood, and I will discover the truth of the matter. Now go on inside and make sure Will got cleaned up.”
“Yes, sir.” I hurried into the house. I didn’t know how Mr. Knighton felt about my refusal of his son, and I wasn’t anxious to learn.
TO MY SURPRISE, SARAH was already in our bedroom. I thought she would have been with her friend for most of the day. “You’re back early. Did you and Miss Sandwood not have a great deal to discuss?”
“I thought you’d never get here!” Sarah said, ignoring my question completely as she spun to face me. I frowned at her as I put my outside garments away. She wrung her hands together and tapped her foot. Agitation was a state which I had seldom seen her in. “Diana, I must speak with you!”
“About what?” I asked calmly. Sarah took up pacing and seemed disinclined to continue with whatever she wanted to say.
“You must listen to me for once in your life!”
Sinking onto our bed, I tried to hide a smile. “Then come out and tell me what has you in such a state.”
“I think Mr. Richfield is the highwayman!”
My smile faded instantly as I stared at her. How had she come up with this ridiculous idea? “You what?” I asked in astonishment.
“There, I’ve said it!” Sarah collapsed into the chair at the dressing table. “I’ve considered the matter carefully, Diana, and as your sister, I could not let you become attached to such a black-hearted criminal!”
A Chaotic Courtship Page 6