Free The Widow and the Rogue by Beverly Adam Page B

would be as if she were inviting herself to relive a nightmare.
    A huff of indignation was uttered beside her.
    Lady Fitzpatrick, who’d recently returned from shopping for her niece, bristled. Her parasol’s stays quivered in her hand. She would have struck the man in front of her or anyone else who might have stood in her way, if provoked.
    “Her ladyship has her guardian to look after her, Constable,” Lady Agnes said with all the stiff indignation she could muster. “And I have many a time stared down pirates and unruly mutineers. As for Lady Langtry’s relations, I shouldn’t put it past one of the worthless cur to have tried to end her life. She is a lady of substantial means and I am quite certain not one of them would mind if she should suddenly have an untimely demise. They may have possibly arranged this cowardly ambush! If I were you, Constable, I would check into their present whereabouts.”
    “I think that would be a waste of valuable time, ma’am,” said the constable, doubtfully.
    Rather than contemplating the notion of a greedy relative with a nefarious motive, it was evident the constable thought a pistol-shooting lunatic was running around the green. The cad was having a bit of sadistic fun frightening the young lady and her pet. That he had struck the young animal had been nothing less than unfortunate.
    “I better gather up a few of my lads and make a thorough search of the green. The villain may still be lurking about. Good day, ladies,” he said.
    Tipping his hat, he left without bothering to address the master of the house, recalling the way that haughty gentleman had looked coldly at him. It had sent shivers down his spine. For sure now, he had no doubt that if the gun-shooting lout was caught, either the tiny lady or the imposing dandy would see him neatly planted in the ground. He almost pitied the lunatic who’d dared to frighten the young woman and her pet.
    After the constable left, Beau said, “I shall personally go to the chief of police and see that a further investigation is undertaken. I do not believe this was a random act of violence. The shots that were aimed at Kathleen were premeditated. I am certain of it. The villain intended on killing her.”
    He did as he promised, but nothing became of it. All of Kathleen’s relatives had impeccable alibis as to the day in question. As for the villain who had shot at Kathleen, he escaped into the mist, which angered Beau. He became determined that Kathleen be well-protected.
    “What did the police say?” she asked when he returned from the police station. It was now raining outside and droplets fell from his clothes.
    She could tell by his grim face that the news was not good. Comfortingly, she bent down and petted Tim who lay near the fire recuperating.
    Beau knew the only ones to gain from Kathleen’s death were her greedy in-laws and her cad of an uncle. At the reading of the will, he’d felt their palpable hatred of her, the one person who stood between them and a mountain of wealth
    “They won’t listen to me,” he said, exasperated. “I’m almost certain a member of your family tried to have you shot and killed. That sneering countess and her overfed son, Henry . . . I wouldn’t put it past them to make a try. They had more reason than anyone to believe that with you dead, they would inherit Dovehill Hall and all its holdings.”
    He frowned. “Indeed, that hungry cad of an uncle of yours could have been behind this. Any of them could’ve hired someone to have you killed and out of the way.” He angrily tossed a small twig into the fire. “But without any concrete evidence, the law refuses to do anything.”
    “What do you intend to do?”
    He crouched down and took her hand. His was cold from being outside, as it had rained, but hers warmed him clear to his heart.
    He could see the worry in her wide blue eyes, but her back was straight and her shoulders set. She was a brave young woman and had already been