The roan was pressed forward to the mare’s side; together they moved forward through the wood.
Chapter 28
Exit Miss Merriot
Easterly Woods lay but two miles, across country, from my Lady Lowestoft’s house, and John covered the distance swiftly. He came to the house by the river as the lamps were lit, and found my lady waiting in the hall, and Sir Anthony’s chaise in the drive outside. He pulled off his hat and spoke before my lady could open her mouth. “I took Mr Merriot’s message to Sir Anthony, my lady,” he said in a voice loud enough to carry to the listening lackeys by the door.
My lady’s black eyes snapped. “Yes?” she said. “And he said?”
“I was to tell you, my lady, he would not think of troubling you by coming here since Mr Merriot was took off. I’ve a note for his man.”
“Bah, it is a mistake the most absurd!” cried my lady. “Mr Merriot will return at once! Where does Sir Anthony go?”
“He did say, my lady, he would turn off to visit a friend,” John answered. He remembered the mare, and added apologetically: “The mare cast a shoe, my lady, and I made bold to leave her with the smith.”
My lady nodded. Her eyes searched John’s face, but could read nothing therein. “Your mistress is in a sad way,” she informed him, with considerable meaning.
“Yes, my lady? Should I give the note to Sir Anthony’s man?”