S omeone had shot at her .

Elsbeth’s heart raced as she turned her wide eyes towards the tree where the bullet had struck, leaving a fresh gouge in its bark. The realization settled in—she could have died. The thought sent a chill coursing through her, and she felt the blood drain from her face.

Niles lowered his rifle and stepped closer, his gaze scanning her for injury. “Elsbeth, are you all right?” His voice was laced with worry.

She opened her mouth to answer but no sound came out. Instead, she found herself staring at him, unsure how to articulate the storm of emotions brewing within her. That bullet had missed her by mere inches.

Niles placed a steadying hand on her shoulder. “Elsbeth, talk to me,” he urged, his voice gentler now but no less urgent.

Finally, she managed to say, “That bullet… it was so close.” Her voice trembled, the words barely above a whisper.

Niles’s eyes darted to the tree. “I know,” he responded, his tone grim.

“Elsbeth!” Charles’s voice rang out, cutting through the moment. She turned to see her cousin hurrying towards her, his face etched with panic.

Niles dropped his hand from her shoulder but remained close. For reasons she couldn’t quite explain, his nearness made her feel steadier, safer.

Charles reached them, breathless. “Elsbeth, I’m so sorry,” he said, his words tumbling out in a rush. “I was focused on the pheasant… I didn’t see—please, say you’re all right.”

Niles’s sharp voice cut through Charles’s apology like a blade. “You almost shot her,” he growled. “Where did you even learn how to hunt?”

Charles winced, his remorse evident. “I know, and I’m terribly sorry. It was an accident, I swear. I didn’t think I was that close to Elsbeth, but I heard the sound of splintering wood.”

“Terribly sorry?” Niles repeated, his voice rising. “Do you think that makes it better? She could have been killed!”

Eugenie appeared beside Charles. “Perhaps we should all take a moment to breathe,” she suggested. “It was an unfortunate accident?—”

Niles whirled on his sister. “An accident?” he exclaimed. “Lady Elsbeth almost died ! I don’t want to take a breath.”

Elsbeth finally found her voice. “It’s all right,” she said, though her hands still trembled. “I’m fine. Truly.”

Mr. White stepped forward and addressed Elsbeth. “Are you all right, my lady?”

“I am,” Elsbeth replied. “Thank you for your concern, but I do think I’ve had enough of pheasant shooting for one day.”

Niles’s jaw clenched, his frustration evident, but he nodded. “I’ll walk you back to the manor.”

“Cousin…” Charles began again, his face a portrait of guilt. “I am so, so sorry.”

Elsbeth gave him a faint smile, trying to ease his obvious distress. “I know you are, Charles,” she said. Without waiting for a reply, she turned towards the path leading back to her stepfather’s estate.

Niles fell into step beside her, his watchful gaze flicking towards her every few moments.

“You don’t need to keep looking at me like that,” she said. “I’m fine.”

Niles leaned in slightly, lowering his voice. “I don’t trust your cousin.”

Elsbeth halted abruptly, spinning to face him. “Not this again. Why?”

“What if that shot wasn’t an accident?”

Her breath caught. “Why would you even suggest such a thing?”

He stepped closer, his piercing gaze holding hers. “It seems… convenient,” he said carefully. “If something were to happen to you, your dowry would revert to the estate. To Charles.”

Her mouth fell open in shock. “You can’t honestly believe Charles would intentionally try to harm me!”

“I’m saying it’s not out of the realm of possibility,” Niles replied, his voice unwavering.

She scoffed, turning away from him. “That’s absurd,” she muttered, quickening her pace.

Niles caught up easily, falling into stride beside her. “Just think on it,” he pressed.

“I don’t need to think on it,” she retorted, her voice rising with frustration. “Charles would never hurt me. He’s my family.”

“And didn’t you say he’s desperate to save his estate?” Niles countered.

“Yes, I did. But what you’re suggesting is… it’s ludicrous!”

Niles didn’t reply immediately, but the weight of his silence said everything.

They continued towards the manor in silence, and with every step Elsbeth took, she grew more outraged by Niles’s suggestion. Charles would never try to kill her. She was sure of that. It had just been an accident.

So why did she feel a little uneasy?

When she arrived at the manor, Niles rushed ahead to open the door and followed her into the entry hall. He turned towards the butler and ordered, “Lady Elsbeth would care for a cup of tea.”

Elsbeth bristled, shooting him a glare. “You do not get to give orders in my home, my lord.”

“I merely thought a cup of tea might help calm your nerves.”

She opened her mouth to retort but stopped herself as she caught the genuine concern in his expression. Despite her irritation, she couldn’t deny that tea sounded like a good idea.

As if sensing her inner turmoil, Niles stepped closer. “I’m glad you’re all right.”

She softened at his words, murmuring, “Thank you.”

“But I do think you should take a moment to yourself and rest,” he encouraged. “What happened today… what almost happened to you …” His words trailed off, his voice tight with emotion.

For reasons she couldn’t quite explain, Elsbeth reached out, resting a hand on his sleeve. “I do appreciate your concern.”

He paused, glancing down at her hand on his arm. “We are friends, aren’t we?”

She tilted her head. “Are we?”

“You are maddening and stubborn,” he admitted. “But yes, I do consider you a friend.”

Elsbeth allowed herself to smile. “I feel the same.”

“Good,” he said with a small nod. “Then as your friend, I insist that you rest.”

Before she could respond, the front door swung open, and Eugenie and Charles entered, their voices carrying through the hall. Elsbeth immediately withdrew her hand, stepping back, but not before noticing the curious glance Eugenie shot her.

Eugenie smiled, breaking the tension. “We should head back, Niles. If we leave now, I’ll have time for a quick nap before supper.”

Niles chuckled. “My sister does love her naps.”

Not quite ready to part ways, Elsbeth spoke up. “Would you care to join us for dinner this evening?”

Niles’s answer came quickly. “Yes.”

Eugenie laughed. “Well, I suppose we’ll be seeing you later tonight.”

“Please bring Lady Margaret, assuming she’s feeling up to it,” Elsbeth added.

Niles offered her a parting glance before escorting Eugenie to their awaiting carriage. Once the door closed, Charles approached Elsbeth, his expression filled with remorse.

“Again, Cousin, I’m so sorry,” he said earnestly.

“It’s forgotten,” Elsbeth replied, though her tone was clipped.

Charles hesitated, as if wanting to say more, but eventually nodded. “Very well. Excuse me.”

Elsbeth watched him walk away, doubt creeping into her thoughts. He seemed sincere, but could it all be an act? No. Charles loved her. He was willing to marry her to secure her future. Why would he now try to harm her?

Shaking off the unsettling thoughts, Elsbeth made her way upstairs to her bedchamber. Opening the door, she found Clara tidying up. The lady’s maid looked up with a smile. “Good, you’re back.”

Clara approached her, holding up a small brass key. “I was able to get the key to your stepfather’s desk.”

Elsbeth’s eyes widened. “How did you manage that?”

A faint blush crept up Clara’s cheeks. “I spoke to Thomas, the valet. When I explained your concerns, he assured me Mr. Stockton is hiding nothing. He gave me the key to prove it.”

Elsbeth accepted the key and gripped it tightly. “Thank you, Clara. This means everything to me.”

“But it won’t be as easy as you think,” Clara warned. “You’ll need to sneak into the study without anyone seeing.”

Elsbeth nodded determinedly. “I’ll think of something.”

Clara grinned. “Since I managed to retrieve the key, could I possibly take tomorrow afternoon off?”

“That’s fair,” Elsbeth agreed.

Before Elsbeth could utter another word, the door swung open, and her mother entered, her face etched with concern. “Oh, Elsbeth, are you all right?” she exclaimed, her voice trembling. “Charles told me what happened.”

Elsbeth straightened, discreetly tucking the small key into the folds of her gown. “I’m fine, Mother,” she assured her.

Her mother crossed the room in swift strides and enveloped her in a tight embrace. “My poor child,” she murmured. “I don’t know what I’d do if something happened to you.”

Elsbeth felt the warmth of her mother’s arms and returned the embrace. “I’m perfectly well,” she said softly, hoping to alleviate her mother’s fears.

After a lingering moment, her mother pulled back, carefully studying Elsbeth. “No more pheasant hunting,” she declared.

Elsbeth managed a weak smile. “I’m not going to argue with that.”

Her mother’s expression softened as she changed the subject. “I understand we’re to have guests this evening for dinner?”

“I do hope that’s all right.”

Her mother’s smile grew. “Of course. I simply adore Lady Eugenie and Lord Westcott. I’ll inform the cook while you rest. You’ve had a most taxing morning. ”

“I agree,” Elsbeth said, nodding as she made her way towards the bed. “I think a nap would do me some good.”

Her mother reached out and brushed a loose strand of hair from Elsbeth’s face. “Rest well, my dear. I’ll leave you to it.”

As her mother exited the room, Clara, who had been quietly observing from the corner, stepped forward. “Dare I ask what happened this morning?”

Elsbeth sighed, waving her hand dismissively. “My cousin was aiming at a pheasant and almost hit me instead.”

“How terrifying,” Clara remarked.

“It was merely an accident,” Elsbeth said firmly. “Charles would never intentionally hurt me.”

“I never said that he would.”

“Good,” Elsbeth muttered, the faintest trace of relief in her tone. At least someone saw reason.

Clara moved towards the door, her hand resting on the handle. “Would you care for a bath after your nap?”