FOREVER KNIGHTS: #6 Malevolent Attentions
My Plan to Fruition

Nora’s focus was broken when a Guardsman slapped the side of her carriage, drawing her attention. She looked down at him with huge pale blue eyes. Drawing a quick breath, she scooted closer to that side of the driver’s bench to lean over to hear him.

She recognized him as the Guardsman William hit. They all wore slickers with Grier’s sharp coat of arms, wide brimmed hats pulled low. And collars worn high against the wind.

Only the bridge of his nose and eyes were visible.

“Do I know you?”

“We best get you on the road. Especially with them.” He gestured inside the carriage.

Twisting to look behind her, Nora gasped and covered her mouth. “For a moment I’d forgotten they were inside!” Horror was written over her

He squinted inside and saw the little one’s heads were lolling sleepily.

Her eyes were wide, grateful. “I could’ve hurt them!”

Giving a slight nod, he straightened.

Her hands trembled on the rein.

She can’t believe she could’ve hurt them in her rage. Stepping further from her carriage, he watched her. She stared back trying to read his eyes over the slicker.

She’s recognizing me. Blue eyes so dark they were nearly black watched her.

Mesmerized, neither looked away until the other Guardsman appeared, slapping the back of her carriage.

This one stepped from the shadows, and she saw him angrily waving his arms. A tuft of curling red hair protruding from under his cap. A violent expression furrowing his brow.

Mac. Worthington’s cousin.

Worthington moved from between the Bishop carriage and the house. Further down the lawn, he spoke with Constable Nelson. Pointing aggressively at her carriage.

Telling Nelson she nearly ran him down.

But she didn’t. Deragan thought victoriously. Nothing the Constable can do. While Nora watched them, he took the opportunity to vanish into the shadows.

She turned back and found him gone. Biting her lip, she stared at where he’d been. A thoughtful expression marring her brow. At length, she reined the horses and pulled her cloak tight against the drizzle soaking her. Mocking her unshed tears.

“What’s wrong, Nore?” A tiny blonde head protruded from the carriage window.

“Nothing.” Came out a little quick. “Get back inside Airon! You’ll catch your death.”

“Where we going?” Airon adjusted restlessly inside the carriage. “I hate long rides.”

“To our other house.”

“We’re leaving our house!” The frown was clear in his sleep-soaked voice. Realization dawned. “I didn’t know we had another house!”

“Neither did I ’til last sennight.” She called back over the rattle of the wheels.

“Where’s it at?”

“About an hour from Meadowbrook. In the country.” She squinted against the darkness and steered the horses around a bend in the road.

“Country?” He asked in confusion. “Further into the country?” He grumbled.

More upbeat he loudly asked. “Does that mean I can scream loud as I want and relieve meself outside?”

“No!” She gave him an appalled look. “Yelling, yes...I suppose.” She refocused ahead. “Airon I must focus on guiding the horses in the rain.

Nora stopped once to get out and peer inside. Finding Airon still glowering in his seat. Shifting uncomfortably. Beth stared at the bags on the floor. Little porcelain doll, looking so much like Beth, clutched in her arms. It had been the last thing their mother gave any of them. It was Beth’s treasure.

Nora swallowed hard and climbed back up to the driver’s seat. Shivering against the cold.