you’ll be much easier to see.” He laughed wryly. “Then no one can mistake you for fair game.”
“In my hair?” In a panic, she stared at the yellow ribbons that dominated her nightmares and tried to draw back. She found it impossible to take the offending items. Besides, she wanted nothing from him—not a single thing.
“Yes, to keep you safe. Next time you pass through here, wear the yellow ribbons.” He grasped her hand in his and placed the cloth in her palm. “I must be off. I came to inspect my lodge and check on the condition of the place.”
He bowed his head and, with one fluid motion, gained his saddle atop his mount. Tipping his hat, he rode down a dim trail toward the stand of trees he’d pointed toward earlier.
Bethany watched as he rode away. Why didn’t I tell him about the body or what I think was a body? I must be daft. I allowed my pride to dictate my actions again. And his charming smile hides the soul of a—I don’t know what. I’m not attracted. I’m not. Tears gathered at the back of her eyes.
She glanced down at the yellow strips in her hand. Yellow ribbons to keep her safe, she scoffed, recalling the yellow banners coiled in the form of serpents and crawling after her in her dreams.
Did he hold a slight suspicion Perry might have committed a murder? Without betraying his brother, had he tried to warn her away to protect her, or was there another reason entirely? If every soul carried hunting markers as Royce implied, perhaps Perry wasn’t guilty after all. Murder and killings along with those curst yellow ribbons circled in her mind until she wanted to scream.
Why hadn’t she reported the murder before? Because she couldn’t be positive there had been a murder. Several other horrifying questions occurred to her. She shook her head, not willing to subject herself to more ridicule and contempt. Best leave things alone. The culprit most likely had done his foul deed and departed the area. Yes, she had better leave well alone.
Yet there was still the question about the gig that tried to run her down. She gave a convulsive shudder.
A few days later, Bethany dared to sew a ruffle of her own lace at the sleeves and square neckline of Aunt Gertrude’s refurbished gown. Although the fabric had a faint sheen, the tatting added a bit of elegance to the over-wise simple, brown frock. The touch of ivory color enhanced the gown even further. Much pleased with her efforts, she trailed her fingers down the skirt to the hem as she draped it across a chair. If she must attend the soirée, at least she’d be presentable.
“Betha, you must instantly attend me,” Gertrude called from the foot of the stairs.
Bethany heard her aunt’s strident call but chose to ignore her summon. She would wait until her aunt’s voice reached a certain pitch of annoyance.
“Why do I pay for a maid, when none can be found?” Gertrude’s grumbling floated up from the hall below. “Betha.”
Yes, that’s the shrill tone . She brushed her skirts, entered the hall, and passed a maid on the way down the steps.
Gertrude stood at the bottom of the staircase with her hands on her hips. “All this botheration. My minutes are precious to me. I don’t have the patience to deal with one of your defiant moments. I want to be assured you won’t disgrace the family tonight at Lord Rivton’s little soirée.” She threw her hands up. “I believe it was at his younger brother’s insistence that you were invited.”
What was she on about? And what has Perry to say to anything? It seemed everyone was ready to take up cudgels against her if she dared to think he might be interested.
“Young men, always ready to play the gallant, never consider expectations may be raised. Take heed. Simply because a gentleman seeks you out, you mustn’t let it go to your head. You were raised as a lady, but indigent, dependent on others, without one ounce of grace in your entire awkward being and little or no sense of
“In my hair?” In a panic, she stared at the yellow ribbons that dominated her nightmares and tried to draw back. She found it impossible to take the offending items. Besides, she wanted nothing from him—not a single thing.
“Yes, to keep you safe. Next time you pass through here, wear the yellow ribbons.” He grasped her hand in his and placed the cloth in her palm. “I must be off. I came to inspect my lodge and check on the condition of the place.”
He bowed his head and, with one fluid motion, gained his saddle atop his mount. Tipping his hat, he rode down a dim trail toward the stand of trees he’d pointed toward earlier.
Bethany watched as he rode away. Why didn’t I tell him about the body or what I think was a body? I must be daft. I allowed my pride to dictate my actions again. And his charming smile hides the soul of a—I don’t know what. I’m not attracted. I’m not. Tears gathered at the back of her eyes.
She glanced down at the yellow strips in her hand. Yellow ribbons to keep her safe, she scoffed, recalling the yellow banners coiled in the form of serpents and crawling after her in her dreams.
Did he hold a slight suspicion Perry might have committed a murder? Without betraying his brother, had he tried to warn her away to protect her, or was there another reason entirely? If every soul carried hunting markers as Royce implied, perhaps Perry wasn’t guilty after all. Murder and killings along with those curst yellow ribbons circled in her mind until she wanted to scream.
Why hadn’t she reported the murder before? Because she couldn’t be positive there had been a murder. Several other horrifying questions occurred to her. She shook her head, not willing to subject herself to more ridicule and contempt. Best leave things alone. The culprit most likely had done his foul deed and departed the area. Yes, she had better leave well alone.
Yet there was still the question about the gig that tried to run her down. She gave a convulsive shudder.
A few days later, Bethany dared to sew a ruffle of her own lace at the sleeves and square neckline of Aunt Gertrude’s refurbished gown. Although the fabric had a faint sheen, the tatting added a bit of elegance to the over-wise simple, brown frock. The touch of ivory color enhanced the gown even further. Much pleased with her efforts, she trailed her fingers down the skirt to the hem as she draped it across a chair. If she must attend the soirée, at least she’d be presentable.
“Betha, you must instantly attend me,” Gertrude called from the foot of the stairs.
Bethany heard her aunt’s strident call but chose to ignore her summon. She would wait until her aunt’s voice reached a certain pitch of annoyance.
“Why do I pay for a maid, when none can be found?” Gertrude’s grumbling floated up from the hall below. “Betha.”
Yes, that’s the shrill tone . She brushed her skirts, entered the hall, and passed a maid on the way down the steps.
Gertrude stood at the bottom of the staircase with her hands on her hips. “All this botheration. My minutes are precious to me. I don’t have the patience to deal with one of your defiant moments. I want to be assured you won’t disgrace the family tonight at Lord Rivton’s little soirée.” She threw her hands up. “I believe it was at his younger brother’s insistence that you were invited.”
What was she on about? And what has Perry to say to anything? It seemed everyone was ready to take up cudgels against her if she dared to think he might be interested.
“Young men, always ready to play the gallant, never consider expectations may be raised. Take heed. Simply because a gentleman seeks you out, you mustn’t let it go to your head. You were raised as a lady, but indigent, dependent on others, without one ounce of grace in your entire awkward being and little or no sense of
Similar Books
