Free Myriah Fire by Claudy Conn

you would not think so. But then he was not uncivil to you !” Myriah retorted, flushing.
    “Was Kit uncivil to you?”
    “Somewhat. But in all fairness, I suppose I was presumptuous.”
    “Fiend seize it, girl! What are you talking about?” asked Billy, frowning.
    “ Your hat! ” Myriah sighed. “ It seems they found the blasted thing near your blood … on Wimborne lands. Well … I simply threw them off the track by saying that I had dropped your hat when I was on my way to town to have a new lining and embroidery job done on it. They wanted to see you, and your brother pretended to be willing enough, which seems to have done the trick—besides his air of superiority. Quite impressive really … but then he was most disturbed that I had answered the door.”
    “Good Lord! Yes, I can imagine!” replied Billy, frowning darkly.
    “Billy!” Myriah exclaimed. “ Et tu Bruté ?”
    “You don’t understand, Myriah! Bless you … for you did just as you ought. Always knew you were a right ’un, but Kit … he don’t like the notion of you smelling out our business!”
    Myriah took umbrage. “Billy Wimborne! I have not tried to smell out your business. I have already told your odi … your brother … that I am not interested in your business. Though, to be sure, I have developed a certain absorption in your welfare.”
    “I know that, m’girl! Lord, I trusted you with m’life, didn’t I? ’Tis Kit … he doesn’t trust so easily. I suppose it was the war … you know he only sold out a year ago, and well, never mind that now. Don’t fret it—he’ll come round.”
    “Well, I don’t care if he does or not … for I shall soon be going,” Myriah announced haughtily.
    Billy eyed her for a moment and said slowly, “You know, Myriah … I have been thinking that you shouldn’t leave for quite a spell … might end up with the knot neatly tied if you do … for your father is bound to be in a rage.”
    Myriah bit her lip and imagined what might lie in store for her if her father were to find her while he was still bent on marrying her off.
    “I know, Billy, but your brother really dislikes having me here. So I thought I would be off on the morrow!”
    “My brother will allow you to stay as long as I wish you to stay. And, Myriah, I’m not about to allow you to be eaten alive after you have been friend enough to save me !”
    “Billy, he will be so angry—I know.”
    “Kit? Funny you should think that. It ain’t like him to lose his temper. Friendly sort and cool and collected—always has been. No … he’ll come round.”
    “Very well. I thank you, sir,” Myriah said still doubtful.
    “Good Lord! What have I done—you will stay and continue, I know, to plague me!” Billy bantered.
    She tweaked his nose and told him to go to sleep. He eyed her defiantly. “The devil I will! Where is my lunch?”
    “Oh, I quite forgot about food. I shall go have Cook send it up at once,” Myriah said, moving away.
    A few moments later Myriah stood in the kitchen with Cook and watched a tray of food carried out by one of Cook’s boys. She turned once again to the older woman, placing a coin in her hand and smiling warmly. “I do feel so distressed about asking this, for I can appreciate how difficult ’twill be when there are only your two boys, but I would so like a hot bath.”
    “Never you fret it, miss! I’ll have those rascally brats of mine carry up the hot water right away.” Cook beamed at Myriah’s generosity. “And, Miss, will you be wanting a luncheon tray?”
    “Oh, no, thank you. I’m not really hungry today.”
    Myriah went into the library and began fingering some of the leather-bound volumes. Her eyes strayed to the leaded, diamond-paned windows and saw a rider making his easy way up the front path.
    Honey-colored hair, uncovered and lit by the full day’s sun, billowed about a handsomely rugged countenance. Myriah’s eyes lingered and discovered once again the broad shoulders