Ashton Park by Murray Pura Page B

family.”
    “Why, thank you, Miss Victoria. Please express my gratitude to Miss Holly, and you might mention I include her along with all the family in my daily prayers. I hope she is well.”
    “She is. Goodnight, Mr. Harrison.”
    Victoria had only gone a few steps before Harrison added, “One more thing, if I may, Miss Danforth.”
    She turned around. “Certainly. What is it?”
    “Ben Whitecross had us promise to look after you, rain or shine.”
    “What? Has he written you?”
    “I’m sorry. We’ve not heard a word from him. But before he went off to enlist last year he took me and Todd aside. Keep an eye on her, he said. Don’t let any harm come to her. Sometimes she gets wild notions in her head. So we’ve done that. Kept an eye out.”
    “Why, thank you. I’m sure you have.”
    Harrison’s face grew almost rigid as she watched. “Not only on the estate. But in the city. In the streets. At the train station. You understand.”
    Victoria felt everything inside her go completely still. “I believe I do.”
    “Todd was thinking you were acting off the last little while. That’s why he asked me to ride along the other day. No harm done, I hope?”
    “No. No harm done, Mr. Harrison.”
    “All’s well that ends well, then.” He put his brown fedora back on and winked. “G’night to you then, my lady.”
    “Thank you. But I need a lord. I’m no lady yet, Mr. Harrison.”
    He nodded. “Yes, you are.”

7
    May 1917
    Smoke was blowing through the sky as Kipp put his Nieuport 17 into a quick dive. The German triplane corkscrewed past him to the left, still firing. Kipp quickly jumped on his tail, not thinking anything out, just acting and reacting. His guns erupted, hammering shells into the back of the red and white aircraft. A plume of smoke spurted from the plane’s engine. A moment later it burst into a fireball of orange and black. Surprised, Kipp had no time to do anything but fly through the middle of the explosion. Burning debris showered his Nieuport and part of one wing narrowly missed slamming into the cockpit. Squinting through his goggles, he pushed through the thick smoke and flame until the sky was clear and blue and empty.
    All the planes that had been snarling under and over one another five minutes before were gone. Kipp banked to the right and away from the parts of the German triplane that traced gray lines through the air as they fell. He lifted his goggles a moment and rubbed a gloved hand roughly over his face. He had never seen a plane blow up like that in combat. It had disintegrated in seconds. Along with the German pilot. He pulled the goggles back over his eyes. His fuel was low, his squadron gone. It was time to head back to the aerodrome near the town of Amiens.
    Moments later a pair of Nieuports dropped into position on either side of him. He recognized Kent Wales and Bobby Scott, the squadron leader. They gave him the thumbs-up. Scott waved his hand forward for the airbase. Kipp gave the thumbs-up in return.
    His mechanic was there when he landed. Kipp parked near the other aircraft of his squadron, including those of Wales and Scott, who had come in only minutes ahead of him and already were nowhere to be seen.
    “Canadian troops confirmed the kill, sir,” his mechanic said. “Not to mention Captain Scott and Leftenant Wales. That’s five, Kipper. You’re an ace!”
    Kipp climbed down from his plane and shook his mechanic’s hand. “Thank you, Tommy. I’m surprised the Canucks spotted the German’s crackup. The triplane flew apart with a bang. Right in my face. Just bits and pieces floating in the air.”
    “They said it was a bright flash in the sky, sir. No one could miss it.”
    “Well, I could use a hot bath and a hot meal, Tommy. That’s how I intend to celebrate becoming an ace.”
    Tommy grinned. “None of that, Leftenant Danforth. At least not right away. The lads are in the mess hall and want to propose a toast in your honor. I’m to make sure