Read Online Death Comes to Kurland Hall by Catherine Lloyd - Free Book Online Page B

was relieved that his attention had moved on from her. “I wonder if the Chingfords could be persuaded to hold the funeral at our church.”
    â€œThat’s an excellent idea. Perhaps I should be the one to mention it to the rector. I can suggest to my guests that they are welcome to stay on at Kurland Hall for the funeral.” Major Kurland glanced down at her as they approached the carriage. “You will be careful, Miss Harrington, won’t you?”
    â€œOf course, sir.” She bobbed a curtsy. “I’ll walk to the rectory from here. Thank you for taking me to see Dr. Fletcher. He seems a most agreeable man.”
    â€œHe’s certainly just the kind of man one needs in a crisis. If it hadn’t been for him, they would’ve amputated my leg to free me from under my horse.” He saluted and got up into the gig. “Good day, Miss Harrington.”
    Â 
    Robert arrived back in the stable yard just as his groom sat Andrew’s son on the back of the oldest and most reliable mare in his stables. He still wanted to warn the boy to be careful—that horses were unpredictable beasts and could behave in ways no one expected. Despite the warmth of the sun, his skin was clammy, and he shivered.
    â€œAre you all right, sir?”
    He turned to see Thomas Fairfax and the widow, who had come down the path from the house to the stables.
    â€œI’m a little cold.” Robert eased a step away from the oncoming horse. Andrew’s son, Terence, was smiling and gripping the reins with great gusto.
    â€œLook at me, Major Kurland! Look at me!”
    Robert forced himself to acknowledge the boy and flinched when something touched his leg. Looking down, he saw Andrew’s five-year-old daughter, Charlotte, staring up at him. She tugged on his breeches again, and he bent his head to her.
    â€œI don’t like horses, either, sir,” she whispered. “Don’t tell Terence. He laughs at me.”
    Robert patted her head. “I won’t laugh, but you must remember that if you take care around a horse, it will never hurt you.”
    They both took several nervous steps back as the groom encouraged the horse into a trot. Reaching down, Robert picked Charlotte up, placed her on the low stone wall, and then leaned against it beside her.
    â€œThat’s not true is it, sir?”
    â€œWhat isn’t?” Robert said.
    â€œThat horses can’t hurt you. Papa said your horse fell on top of you and hurt you very badly.”
    Robert glanced down at his shattered leg. “That was slightly different. I was in the middle of a battlefield, and the enemy was shooting at us. It wasn’t really my horse’s fault that he panicked when he was hit.”
    Charlotte patted his knee. “But it still hurt.”
    â€œYes, it did.” Robert held her gaze. “But I haven’t let it stop me from . . .” He paused as he considered his current aversion to his own horses. “I’m not going to let it make me afraid that every horse will do that to me.”
    Her smile was sweet. “Papa said you were very brave, and now I know why.” She sighed. “I wish I was brave.”
    â€œI have an idea.” Robert picked her up and balanced her on his good hip. “Let’s go on a visit.” As he passed Thomas, he nodded at him. “Can you keep an eye on Terence while I show Miss Charlotte something?”
    â€œOf course, Major.”
    Robert walked on into the stables, inhaling the familiar scent of horse manure, straw, and leather, which had once been his entire military existence. Now he came here only if he had to. Charlotte had made him think about his aversion to the place and question it anew.
    There was a young boy stationed outside the closed door of the stall at the end of the row, and he stood up when Robert approached.
    â€œMorning, sir.”
    â€œGood morning, Arthur. Will you open the top door please so that Miss