Never Turn Away (Kellington Book Six) by Maureen Driscoll Page B

base of the tree.  “It appears that someone sawed about halfway into this
tree.  It was only a matter of time before it fell.”
    “That is unusual,” said Evelyn.
    “Or perhaps not.”  His gaze was on her, oddly
intent.  “What would happen to your land and fortune if you died?”
    “It would revert to my cousin.  But surely you do
not believe anyone tried to kill me?  That tree could have fallen at any time. 
How could a person plan for it to happen just as I was passing by?”
    “Perhaps your cousin has an accomplice.”
    “What, ho!” said Dodson, as he returned.  “I’ve been
waiting for you above a quarter of an hour.  I know Stapleton doesn’t ride
well, but, Evelyn, my dear, you’re going quite slowly.”  Then, after surveying
the scene, he added, “Is something amiss?”
    “A tree fell into the clearing, almost crushing Lady
Evelyn.  Did you not hear it?”
    “I cannot say that I did.  Once I start thinking
about my work, I’m lost to the world.  But, Evelyn, you are not harmed, are
you?  That would be terrible luck, what with the assembly tonight.”
    “No, I am quite unharmed, thanks to Inspector
Stapleton.”
    “Well, it is his job, after all.  Now, have I ever
told you about the commendation I received about my treatise on the flora and
fauna of the North Pole?”
    “Dodson,” said Joseph.  “When was the last time you
were in London?”
    “Why do you want to know?”
    “Suffice it to say I have a reason.  When was it?”
    “I was there last week on a visit to the Zoological
Society.  I presented the most fascinating…”
    “And where were you just a moment ago?”
    “I told you.  I had ridden on ahead and was waiting
for the pair of you.  I do not like your tone, Stapleton.”
    “And I do not like how close Lady Evelyn came to
being killed.  Someone cut into that tree.”
    It took a moment for the accusation to register with
Dodson.  “You do not think I had anything to do with it?”
    “I do not know what to think.”
    “But I was in the exact opposite direction.”
    “Were you?”
    “I give you my word.  That should be more than
enough.  Do you think I doubled back, sawed through the tree, then waited for
the exact right moment to push it the rest of the way over?  That is
preposterous.”
    Joseph studied the professor for a moment, his face
giving no clue to his thoughts.  Finally, he said, “We should return to Lady
Evelyn’s.”
    “And I shall take this opportunity to expound on my
theories about the flora and fauna of the North Pole.”
    “Mr. Dodson,” said Evelyn, wearily.  “It has been a
long day.”  Though they had only been gone from the house not quite an hour. 
“I should like to travel back to the house in silence.”
    “But my theory is most interesting.”
    “In silence,” repeated Evelyn. 
    Dodson puffed himself up.  “Well, I certainly would
not wish to insert myself where I am not wanted.”  Then he waited for the
protests ensuring him he was certainly wanted.
    They did not come.
    There was nothing to it then but for them to
depart.  “I shall ride on ahead to tell Thompson you are overset, Evelyn. 
Perhaps you will feel less hysterical when you are back home.”
    “Only if you aren’t there,” she said quietly enough
so that only Joseph could hear.
    “Off you go, Dodson,” said Joseph.  “I shall see to
Lady Evelyn.”
    When the man was finally on his way, Joseph took
Evelyn’s hand.  “Do you wish to remain here for a few more moments or go back?”
    “I am ready to ride again.  I would not mind
relaxing in a nice hot bath as soon as I return home.”
    He nodded, then effortlessly lifted her to her
saddle.  Which discomposed her almost as much as nearly being hit by the tree. 
But in a much nicer manner.
    By the time she reached her home, she’d mostly
recovered from the shock of the falling tree.  But she was beginning to think
it would take her quite some time to recover from the touch of