Page 9 of A Treacherous Treasure

She took a step back, her eyes fastening on the gun in his hand. “I don’t know, but he was chasing me. He shot at me.”

“Don’t be afraid. I saw the man.” Thomas squinted past her, searching for the man.

“Is he there?” She clasped her hands together, as if making an effort to hold herself together.

“I don’t see him, but I will go and find him.”

“No, don’t leave me.” Her eyes were wide and she was clutching her hands to her chest.

“I won’t leave you. You’re safe now.” He tried to sound soothing as she leaned toward him.

She suddenly sat down on the ground, sinking straight down, as if her knees had just collapsed underneath her. She reminded him of the poor little dog that had collapsed in front of him just minutes before, behind the stable.

“Mrs. Heywood, you are unwell. Let me help you onto my horse and take you home.”

“I assure you I am well.”

He held out a hand to her and she accepted it. He lifted her to her feet and, still holding onto her, he said, “Are you well enough to ride?”

“Yes, I thank you. Forgive me. I’m not accustomed to running for my life.”

An ironic smile flitted over her lips, only for a moment, just before she drew in a deep breath and let it out.

“Who was the man? Did you know him?”

“No. That is, I didn’t see him clearly, but he did not look familiar.”

“What caused him to shoot at you?”

“I don’t know. I was walking and saw a man. He was digging in the ground with a shovel, and so I called out to him to ask what he was doing. He picked up a gun and started shooting at me.”

“How very strange. And how terrifying for you. You have no idea what this man was doing there or why he was digging?”

“None. But when they found my husband’s body,” she paused for a moment to swallow, staring out across the field, “they found a hole where someone had been digging. The constable said they thought whoever . . . shot him had meant to bury him there.”

Poor woman. “You have had two great shocks in as many days. Please allow me to express my condolences on the loss of your husband.”

He might have a very low opinion of her late husband, but he had no reason to think ill of his wife. In fact, he’d heard from some of his tenants how she often called on the poor and took gifts of food and other practical help.

He wondered that Arthur and his mother allowed her to do so. He knew their dim view of charity and of helping their tenants. But they may have ignored the young woman to the point that she could do what she wanted.

“I thank you. It was a shock.” She lifted a hand to push back a strand of hair that had fallen across her cheek, and her hand was shaking.

“Let me take you home.”

“Thank you, and I shall send the grooms out to look for this man who was trespassing.”

“Don’t send your grooms. They might get shot. I’ll go look for him as soon as you’re safely home. But you should send for the constable.”

She nodded, but the look on her face and the way she wrapped her arms around herself, he could tell she was reliving the terror of a few moments before. He knew because he’d seen that look on the faces of his men after a battle.

Who was callous enough to shoot at a lady? Especially one as gentle as Mrs. Heywood? He would find the man who did this, Lord willing, and make sure he never bothered her again.

He helped her into the saddle of his horse and the dazed look dissipated. She gazed down at him.

“Thank you for coming to my aid. You probably saved my life.”

“I’m grateful I happened to be about. I heard the gunshots and turned my horse in this direction and followed the sounds. I was curious as to who was shooting on my land.”