Tempting Miss Allender (Regency Rakes 3) by Wendy Vella Page B

Pody,” Mathew soothed the man.
    “Very brave of Miss Allender to run after the carriage, I have to say. But then a woman who likes cows would be no different, in my opinion.”
    “Indeed,” Mathew said.
    “Is Lenny back with the carriage, Paul?” he heard Patience ask one of her footmen.
    “I shall check, Miss Allender. Please stay inside until I return.”
    “We will.” She gave the footman a brief nod.
    “Charlie, do you think you could take a few sips of milk?” Mathew had retrieved his cup and moved to the boy’s side.
    “Th-thank you.” Charlie drank the contents slowly, with his sister alternating her gaze from him to the window and back again.
    “Louis said the velocipede demonstration will be held in three days. As he has also demanded I attend, perhaps you would like to come with us?” Simon said.
    The boy was slowly starting to calm, and the grip he had on Patience had eased. “I would like that very much, Lord Kelkirk.”
    Patience seemed to want to say something, but she remained silent. Mathew had the feeling that would not last long.
    One of the footmen returned to say, “The carriage awaits, Miss Allender.”
    “Thank you, Paul,” Patience said. “We must leave now, Charlie. Bid Lord Belmont and Lord Kelkirk good day.”
    “Good day to you, Mathew and Simon. I look forward to seeing you again soon.” The boy was still the color of the milk he had just drunk, and his sister was no better.
    “It was good to see you again, too, Charlie. Should you need me for anything, then please send word.” Mathew shook the boy’s hand. “And that goes for you also, Patience.” Mathew touched her cheek briefly.
    He and Simon walked the Allenders to their carriage, and he closed the door after they had climbed inside. Lifting a hand, he waved goodbye, but only Charlie responded.
    “What the hell was that about?”
    Simon was also watching the carriage bearing the Allenders roll away from them.
    “I’m not sure yet, but something is very wrong with that family. After what has happened today, it is my belief that they are under some kind of threat.”
    He would say nothing further for now, but he would call on the Allenders after he had given them time to calm down. Then he would get some answers.

CHAPTER SIX
     
     
    “Don’t charge, Charlie!” Lucy screamed from her position standing on top of a chair.
    The Allender siblings were in the largest room in their town house. Furniture had been cleared, and she and Charlie were fencing while Lucy stood on a chair and directed them…well, Charlie, actually, as she was still fuming with Patience over her treatment of Mr. Stanhope.
    Charlie had learned to shoot a pistol, wield a sword and fight with his fists. And between them, the Allender sisters and the Toots brothers had kept him fit and agile, in case one day Brantley succeeded in taking him and he would need to fight to survive.
    Two days had passed since the incident in the cowkeeper’s shop, and Charlie had recovered; Patience, however, was still unsettled. She was certain that the gunshot they had heard was something to do with their cousin, and that the bullet had been intended for Charlie.
    “Lighter on your feet, Charlie!”
    Patience hauled in a deep breath and kept her eyes on her brother as Lucy instructed him.
    “Think clearly about your moves. You will not win if you let emotion rule you.”
    They had once again discussed Patience going to the constabulary and telling them what they believed their cousin was up to, but again they had no evidence to support their claim. Brantley had always used others to make his threats and attempts on Charlie’s life, and as a much-loved peer, it would be the Allender siblings’ word against his. Patience was sure they would not be the ones who were believed. They had tried once, just after the attempted kidnap of Charlie. Patience had visited the local magistrate only to be told that she was fooling no one in her attempts to discredit a man of