Page 46 of The Wordsworth Key (Regency Secrets #3)

‘I’m afraid he needs your prayers. His situation is serious. He’s not regained consciousness.’

‘Then I’m pleased Miss Fitz-Pennington insisted you bring so capable a guard. Neither of us would wish to see a man we care for come to any harm.’ She gave him a look loaded with a meaning he very much did not want to take.

Arthur stepped forward and seized Jacob’s elbow. ‘You’re right, Jacob. This isn’t a conversation for the ladies. Smith, leave the room. You are not to remain in here on your own with a lady.’

‘Smith is not your man to order about, Arthur,’ said Jacob.

Lady Alice got up. ‘Please don’t quarrel. I will go upstairs to my room. I have some drawings I wish to complete. Mr Smith, make yourself at home. Finish the cake.’ With a little nod to the company, she swept out.

‘See: she’s a model hostess, so diplomatic,’ said Arthur. He strode off in the opposite direction to that which the lady had taken. ‘We’ll take this to Lord Furness. He’s on the terrace.’

With a sigh, Jacob fell into step and followed him out into the garden. Once clear of the house, the viscount let his temper out.

‘I can’t believe you!’ Arthur hadn’t yet forgiven his youngest brother for this and so much else. ‘Smith is all but ostracised in society and you think him decent company for a lady of her calibre?’

‘He and I are working on a case, Arthur. Your request that I come here this morning is interrupting something far more important than social calls.’

‘There is nothing more important than this, I assure you, and certainly not your foolish meddling in mysteries and low crimes!’

‘You’d prefer me to investigate high crimes and misdemeanours?’

They turned a corner to find Lord Furness standing on the terrace, sprinkling crumbs on the parapet for the squirrels– a picture of rural peace at odds with the quarrel between brothers.

‘Excellent– you brought him. Good morning, Dr Sandys.’ The sun made his smooth hair glow like liquid mercury and flattered his chiselled cheekbones.

The Furness line looked set to inject a much-needed boost of good looks into the aristocracy, but Jacob couldn’t quite place the reason for the nobleman’s jocular tone.

It seemed a little too much for a Monday morning.

He bowed. ‘My lord.’

‘You’ve seen my daughter, I hope?’

‘Yes, in the music room.’ He glanced at his brother, wondering what his cue was to be.

‘I am shocked you were alone with her– that isn’t decent.’ Lord Furness was smiling, despite his gruff words. ‘I trust an engagement is to be announced?’

‘I came with a friend and was not alone with your daughter for even a second.’ Their manoeuvrings were transparent. These two old coots were plotting. He would be amused if he wasn’t so annoyed with the pair.

‘I don’t believe he had a chance to broach the subject,’ said Arthur apologetically.

Lord Furness waved that away. ‘No matter. I already know from my daughter that she considers Dr Sandys a very eligible match. Congratulations.’

‘On what?’ asked Jacob. He couldn’t believe it– but maybe he could guess?

‘Your brother and I have agreed the outlines of a marriage settlement, pending your approval of course,’ said Lord Furness.

‘The financial arrangements are very favourable,’ said Arthur. ‘You’ll have no reason to complain.’

‘No reason to complain?’ This was going too far.

Any humour he found in the situation vanished.

His brother had done it again– driven him to distraction!

His body went on high alert as his vision blurred with fury and pulse raced.

He was going to explode like one of the gunpowder kegs Lord Furness manufactured.

‘You will find my daughter an asset to whatever career you decide to follow, Dr Sandys.’ Lord Furness turned and walked a few paces away, contemplating the delightful prospect of a link with the Sandys family as much as he did the view. ‘I have no doubt of that.’

The bushes by the lake rustled, though there was no breeze to cause the disturbance.

With a huge effort, Jacob reigned in his temper, screwing it down so he didn’t give either man reason to doubt his sanity as he descended into a rant. Oh, but it was tempting. How he would love to yell at them both! ‘This is all very interesting, but one vital piece of this arrangement is missing.’

‘Oh?’ enquired Furness.

‘My consent.’ He strode away from them, meaning to get the hell out of here but, out of the corner of his eye, he saw a rifle barrel poke from the bushes.

‘Get down!’ As he threw himself behind the parapet, Arthur bowled into the oblivious lord and brought him with him to the pavement.

Simultaneously a crack of a rifle shot echoed across the garden and bounced back from the hill behind.

Arthur cried out. A second shot rang out and stone dust flew.

Jacob bellied to his brother and Lord Furness.

‘Is anyone hurt?’

Clutching his heart, Furness gaped at him. ‘Someone shot at us.’

‘Yes. Are you hit?’

Furness lifted his hand to show it was unsullied. ‘No.’

Jacob was already checking his brother. ‘Arthur?’

‘I…’ Arthur removed his hand from under his jacket and looked at his palm in disbelief. ‘I’ve been shot.’