Page 10 of Aurelia

The girls’ horrible situation served to put Aurelia’s life in perspective. Her father was an inveterate gambler who’d lost everything at the card tables, but at least he wasn’t a traitor to King and country.

“My heart goes out to them,” Aurelia said.

“Yes, the sins of the father are indeed visited on the children in this situation.” He seemed to shake himself. “I am Gideon Talbot, by the way.” He executed a graceful bow.

“Aurelia Burton,” she said absently, still rattled.

“It was very brave what you did—but foolish,” he chided gently. “When a gang’s blood is up the situation can quickly devolve into violence.”

“I know you are right, but I just couldn’t stand by and let them hurt her.

“I will report them to Lord Crewe. I hate to say it, but I am glad to hear the women are leaving. Even if these boys are punished, I’m afraid it will probably not be the last instance of unpleasantness against them.”

Aurelia knew he was right. If the Clifford women had moved to Little Sissingdon, the village where she had grown up, the people there would have been every bit as vicious toward the children of an infamous traitor. After all, everyone knew at least one person who’d died during the interminable war with the French.

“You were out walking when you encountered the ruffians?” Sir Gideon asked.

“Yes. I am waiting for Mr. Anderson’s son to row me across to Crewe. He said the water was too rough, but I can’t help feeling that his son is just not available right now.”

Sir Gideon chuckled. “Yes, poor Anderson has a devil of a time with that boy.” He glanced at the ocean. “There is a little chop to the water, but it would not be dangerous to cross right now.” He paused, smiled at her, and then said, “I know this will sound terribly forward, but might I row you over to Crewe?”

“Oh,” Aurelia said, surprised by the offer. “That is kind, but I should hate to impose.”

“I need to talk to Crewe about the situation with Miss Clifford, so I will be going in any event.”

Aurelia smiled. “Then I accept your generous offer, Sir Gideon. Er, when would you like to go?”

“Why don’t we head to the pier now? I keep a skiff there.”

Aurelia nodded and they fell into step alongside each other, Sir Gideon leading his horse beside him.

After a moment, he glanced at her. “Did you meet Lord Crewe when you applied for the position?”

“No, it was all done through the post.”

“Ah.”

“Ah?” Aurelia repeated.

“He is a forceful person. The island is his own personal fiefdom. To a lesser extent, so is Balcrewe, as he owns most of the land the village is on and much more besides. But on the mainland, there are magistrates and justices of the peace and so forth. Not on The Isle. Although it is only three miles away, it is hundreds of years back in time.”

Aurelia digested what he’d said, which largely fit with what the Andersons had implied with their gossip.

“I’m not trying to worry you,” he said. “Just to prepare you for a rather different…environment on Crewe.”

“You know the earl well?”

“We are acquaintances at best. He is older than me by twelve years and has spent very little of his time in the area until these past two years, after he was injured in America.”

Aurelia had read of Lord Crewe’s injury—the entire country had—and knew that his wife had been killed at the same time, both victims of a panther attack.

“You are going to talk to Lord Crewe about the attack on Miss Clifford, but didn’t you say there were authorities here on the mainland?”

“There are. But the earl is the landlord for most of the people in these parts, so I want him to know what is transpiring on his property.”

“What do you think he will do?”

Sir Gideon’s expression turned wry. “Nobody can ever guess what the earl might do in any given situation. The only thing one can be certain about is that whatever he does, it will be exactly what he wants.”