Read Online His Runaway Maiden by June Francis - Free Book Online Page B

so crazed as your stepfamily seemed to want you to believe, Master Appleby.’
    Rosamund started and a tiny laugh escaped her. ‘How clever of you to guess my secret.’
    Alex’s smile deepened. Perhaps he should not blame her for wanting to continue to conceal her true identity from him. ‘You gave yourself away on several occasions.’
    ‘I would not make a very good conspirator, would I?’
    ‘I disagree. You have deduced that it is not always safe to tell strangers your secrets and to answer a question with a question.’
    Rosamund agreed.
    ‘But of course, in providing me with the information that you have, I have come to the conclusion that you believe your stepbrother murdered your father.’
    She hesitated. ‘Would you say that is a sensible conclusion to draw?’
    He nodded. ‘But I would add that if you are Sir James’s son, then surely you should be in charge of Appleby Manor and his business in London, not your stepfamily.’
    Rosamund was silent.
    Alex said abruptly, ‘We will leave this for now. It is time we were on our way.’
    Rosamund lifted her head and stared at him. ‘I have some food I have taken from the kitchen as I missed supper—shall we eat it later?’
    He nodded. ‘Let us put some miles behind us.’
    Whilst he was saddling up his horse, she went and fetched the pillion seat. They had travelled a few miles when Rosamund said, ‘What was your opinion of my father?’
    He glanced over his shoulder at her sombre face. ‘As I told you, I met him but the once.’
    ‘Where?’
    ‘Down at the quayside,’ answered Alex carefully. ‘We were watching ships being unloaded. It was then he spotted the young captain of the Thor’s Hammer. He said he reminded him of someone he had known in a past life.’
    Rosamund said, ‘What a strange comment to make. Did he say whom this captain reminded him of?’
    ‘No. And I have not seen either of them since then.’
    ‘Perhaps your young captain is dead.’
    Her words gave him a shock. ‘That I have not considered.’
    ‘Why? If he is a seafarer, then it is a possibility, is it not?’
    Alex could not deny it. ‘I sense he is alive,’ he said abruptly.
    ‘Why, if you have not seen him? Would you have expected to have seen him during the time that has passed since you last did so?’
    ‘In the circumstances, no.’
    ‘What circumstances are these?’
    He gave her an exasperated look. ‘It is I who ask the questions.’
    ‘I have already answered several of yours,’ she said.
    ‘Then answer me this one,’ said Alex. ‘Give me the name of your stepbrother in London.’
    She sighed. ‘I cannot understand your interest if you are but a travelling jack of all trades. I deem, Master Nilsson, that you are not being honest with me.’
    ‘I admit it, but I still want an answer to my question,’ he said in a steely voice.
    ‘Can’t it wait until we reach London?’
    ‘No! I have much to do when I arrive there,’ he said, hanging on to his patience.
    ‘Then if I must, I must. I just pray to our Lady and all the saints that I can trust you, Master Nilsson. His name is Edward Fustian.’
    Fustian! Alex had met the man and considered him a smarmy, arrogant, insular fellow. He had a certain attraction for the ladies, which irritated Alex exceedingly. He had heard it from Ingrid that he beat his wife and treated her like dirt beneath his feet. Yet he had not thought to include him in the names on the list of those he suspected might be guilty of passing on information about cargoes and times of departure of ships sailing from the port of London.
    ‘I have met him, but do not know him well,’ said Alex. ‘I have heard he is not kind to his wife.’
    Rosamund nodded and said in a seething voice, ‘She had several bruises last time I saw her. She was a cowed little woman and so were her daughters. I felt so sorry for her because I understood what she was going through.’
    ‘Could you not have helped her?’
    ‘I would have liked to, but you