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child and know many of the homes.”
    “Mrs Dixon was your grandmother?”
    “Yes.”
    “We heard of her passing. I’m sorry for your loss.”
    “Thank you.”
    Silence fell yet again, but Anne didn’t notice. Not having felt particularly hungry, she now realized how wrong she had been. It was kind of Mr Weston to offer her a ride, but in truth she now felt refreshed enough to walk the distance.
    “That was lovely,” Anne said as she put her plate aside. “Thank you.”
    “Can I offer you more?”
    “I’ll just finish my water and be fine. Thank you again.”
    Weston nodded, and wishing to return Anne safely back to her life as soon as possible, finished his own food.
    “Mansfield,” Anne turned to him, “did you find the cleaning supplies I left?”
    “I did, Miss Gardiner. Thank you.”
    Anne was opening her mouth to thank him for his kindness of the last days when yet another carriage was heard in the distance. Anne looked with curiosity—this road not being heavily traveled—until she saw the occupant of the fine coach.
    “Oh, it’s Mr Daniels,” she said under her breath, just before ducking her head.
    Both men heard her, but their eyes were on the man who had nearly poked his head from the carriage to gawk at them.
    Weston waved before looking back to Anne. Only then did her comment make sense to him. Anne had angled her body in such a way that her face was turned completely away from the road. That Anne had known the rider was now fully clear.
    “Did you say his name was Daniels?”
    “Yes.”
    “And you know him?”
    “I do, yes.”
    “I think you did not wish him to see you.”
    Anne now looked into her host’s face, her eyes showing dismay.
    “I am not certain what conclusions he would draw from our situation just now, and he is not a man afraid to tell what he has seen.”
    It didn’t take long for Weston to understand. Anne’s reputation was at stake. As for him, he was new in the area and not yet known. Except for…
    “I’d like to ask about Mr and Mrs Croft. Will they be more discreet?”
    “Absolutely. Had the ceremony happened in town, it would have been out of their hands, but they are not in the habit of divulging private matters.”
    Seemingly calm, Weston nodded but said firmly, “I think we must get you home.”
    “Thank you” was all Anne replied, coming gracefully to her feet.
    Once in the carriage, silence fell yet again. Anne found herself wishing she could go home under cover of darkness. She might have been surprised to know that Weston was having the same thoughts, but he knew that taking her back to Brown Manor after dusk could make things even worse.
    “To your home?”
    “Yes, please.”
    “When I stopped there, your father was not at home. Will he be there now?”
    “It’s hard to say. If he’s remembered the incident, I rather hope he isn’t, but I honestly can’t tell you what to expect.”
    “So he might have forgotten what happened?” Weston had not considered this.
    “Certainly. He may remember it forever, or it may have been gone that very day.”
    “If he has not forgotten, will he welcome you home?”
    “Oh, yes.”
    “And he won’t wonder why you’re back?”
    “I’m not staying. I’m only gathering some of my things.”
    They were coming to Levens Crossing, and the house was in view just minutes later. Weston helped Anne from the carriage and spoke.
    “We will wait until you have what you need and then deliver you wherever you wish to go.”
    “No,” Anne said firmly. “You have been very kind, but I assure you, this way is best.”
    Weston thought for a moment.
    “You will gather your things. Mansfield will take you wherever you wish, and I will remain here. When he has delivered you, he will come back for me.”
    “No, Mr Weston, it is not necessary, I assure you.”
    Weston looked about. He couldn’t be sure what was over each hill or mound, but from where he stood there was not another home or even a building in