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and gave a cocky laugh. “You don’t want to marry this ‘un, Miss Talbot. Them Injuns burn their wives.”
    “We’ve already discussed that,” Renshaw said.
    I didn’t want to encourage Isaiah’s impudence and went on to the curricle. Renshaw remained behind a moment, talking to him.
    “You should have given Isaiah a good set-down,” I said when Renshaw returned.
    “We were just discussing the murder.”
    “You take a ghoulish interest in all this.”
    “Not at all. It’s merely mental exercise. A little puzzle to keep the mind active while I’m here. I can’t spend all my time chasing ladies. Aren’t you curious to hear what I discovered from Isaiah?”
    “You shouldn’t encourage the boy to gossip. Well, what is it?” I asked brusquely. Of course I was on tenterhooks to hear whatever it was.
    “Isaiah is often in the shepherd’s hut. He hides there when his papa wants him to help dig a grave. He’s seen a couple using it for what he calls ‘flings they shouldn’t ought to.’ “
    “What couple?” I demanded at once.
    “You’re right. I shouldn’t encourage gossip. But it was no lady’s maid, Miss Talbot. It was a lady and a gent.”
    “Don’t be so provoking!”
    “I might tell you ... if you promise to drive out with me again.”
    I gave him a saucy smile. “I might drive out with you again ... if you tell me.”
    “Might is not good enough.”
    “You said only that you might tell me.”
    “So I did. I shall now say positively that I will tell you if you’ll drive out with me again.”
    I scowled, feigning displeasure, although I was not averse to going out with him again. “There is nothing to stop me from asking Isaiah myself.”
    “No, no. It goes against your principles to encourage gossip. Never back down on matters of principle, Miss Talbot. You can save yourself a few pennies by accepting my offer instead.”
    He helped me into the curricle, joined me, and flicked the whip. “Is it a date tomorrow afternoon?” he asked.
    “All right.” To remove the triumphant look in his eyes, I added, “You didn’t have to resort to bribery, Mr. Renshaw. I might have said yes if you had just asked me nicely.”
    “You know my opinion of ‘might.’ Now you’ve definitely committed yourself. Shall we say threeish?”
    “Are you sure Beau won’t have other plans? You’re his guest, after all.”
    “Why, to tell the truth, I believe he wishes me at Jericho. We have little in common after all the years apart. I’m thinking of removing to the Boar’s Head.”
    “But you only came here to visit Beau!”
    “True, but now I’ve promised dances to several ladies at the assembly. It would be ungentlemanly of me to renege.”
    “Much that would bother you,” I scoffed.
    “Well, then, if you insist on the whole truth, I’ve found Beau’s neighbors so genial that I can’t bear to tear myself away. Hops are but poor entertainment when all’s said and done. They’ll grow equally well whether I’m there to watch them or not.”
    “Is it a large hop farm, Mr. Renshaw?”
    He smiled knowingly. “Twenty thousand acres. It, and my other interests, give me ten thousand a year. I can’t complain.”
    “Ten thousand a year! Why on earth did you ever bother going to India?”
    “That’s a bribe for another outing,” he replied, and wouldn’t be budged from his position.
    “Men who stand to inherit such a substantial fortune don’t usually leave home unless they’ve fallen into disgrace. I’m not sure your story will be fit for a lady’s ears,” I said.
    “Did I mention I also stand to inherit from an uncle?” he asked blandly.
    Really, he was too provoking for words. And too intriguing not to have caught my interest.
     

Chapter Seven
     
    I was prevented from keeping my appointment with Renshaw the next afternoon by a horrid rain that dragged on all day. As Lollie said, it wasn’t enough rain to do the crops any good, but it was too much to let us enjoy the outdoors.