From the Ashes

Chapter Forty-Eight

The rider came up to the stablehand waiting for him by the side of the road and was led back to Richard and Juliana.

"Mr. Chase has taken the road that will lead him back home."

Richard helped Juliana up into the saddle and then mounted his horse. "Do you believe you were seen?" he asked of the rider.

"No, sir. If he had, he did not acknowledge my presence."

"Very, good. You are both to return home to the Manor and we should be home before nightfall."

"Yes, sir, "the rider helped the stablehand onto his horse and took the path back home.

Richard rode up next to Juliana. "I do not know what awaits us, Love." He handed her one of his pistols, primed and loaded. "If there is a need, do you know what to do?"

"Aim for the legs?" Juliana said recalling Cyril's advice.

"Good girl, and run. I wish I could leave you behind to be certain you would not be in danger but with all that has happened and all I thought to prevent, I truly believe the safest place for you is by my side but I must ask that you stay with me at all times and not to react to what may occur. Let me take the lead."

"I will follow you, Richard, to the ends of the earth if need be," Juliana reassured him, just grateful not to be left behind, left worrying, left wondering.

They rode together at a comfortable pace. Juliana recognized her surroundings. "Why are we headed to my family's ruin?"

"I told McAllister to meet us there. I do not know if he will comply. My wish is to pass on the information about Mr. Chase and to see if he has learned anything that may be of consequence. After all, we still are uncertain if the events are related." As they approached the ruin they heard another horse whinny. Richard cocked his pistol.

"I was wondering if you were going to show," McAllister said leading his horse by the reins.

"I told you, I would. I have learned some interesting news. I wanted to be certain I could pass on to you," Richard said putting his pistol away.

"What is she doing here?" McAllister asked noticing Juliana for the first time, his anger obvious in his tone.

"Here, is the safest place she can be," Richard said, bristled once again, by McAllister's brash manners.

"You cannot possibly be that naïve?" McAllister told him. "Are you really willing to risk so much?"

"I am not to be trifled with, sir," Juliana spoke up, tired of being talked about, "and quite capable of handling myself in desperate situations. You are currently standing in what remains of my home. I am a survivor and Clara is, as close to me, as a sister and I would never place her in jeopardy. Can you say the same?"

Her words stung him. "I have been protecting her for years now. It was not until she was under your husband's care that she had turned up missing. I am not at fault here."

"Perhaps, if you showed more consideration when you had her in your care, none of us would be here now," Juliana said angered by his attempt to lay the blame at Richard's feet. She knew Clara's heart. Clara had been wounded by this man and yes, he was here and yes, he was worried, but if he had shown that side to Clara before now she would not have come. She would not be missing, of that Juliana was certain.

Juliana struck the first real blow. Benjamin felt angry enough to cause physical harm only there was no one to direct it at.

"Enough of the blame game!" Richard said. "Now is the time for action. I have learned that Mr. Chase came to the wedding in the attempts to retrieve the letters my Stepmother had supposedly left behind. She distributed them, however, to the most popular periodicals London has to offer. Her will stipulates that those who are at fault would be named, should any of us come to harm.