The Royal Scamp Read Online Free PDF

alone?”she asked. “They say he travels alone—foolish of him, if he does.”
    “There was no one but himself,”Meecham told her. “He has it down to a fine art.”
    There wasn’t much to add to the story. The constable had been called and waited till daylight before venturing on the heath to look for clues.
    “The carriage had been relieved of its luggage during the night,”Joshua said, “but no one holds the Royal Scamp responsible for such low pilfering. He is not the only robber on the heath by any means. The team was gone, too. It was an expensive night for Sir Charles. I’m going into London to pester Townsend to set up a heavier patrol on the heath. There should be notices in the press as well, for travelers not to tackle the spot unguarded. England has come to a fine pass when the only recourse is to limit the freedom of the innocent.”
    “Be sure to add a line in that notice as to where travelers can find a good meal en route, Joshua,”Esther said.
    “If you call stone-dry beef a good meal,”he riposted.
    “I most particularly hinted you away from the beef! How exactly like you to order the one dish I told you not to.”
    The visit was brief, but before it was over, one item of interest was accomplished. It happened right after Joshua mentioned that Mr. Meecham was taking lunch with him at the Abbey. Mr. Meecham was cordially asked by Lady Brown how long he was putting up at the inn, and when he mentioned a few weeks, he was invited to call on them.
    “Why, thank you, ma’am. Now that we are no longer strangers, I shall avail myself of your kind invitation.”He bowed and shot a triumphant, laughing smile at Esther. It was a look that spoke volumes. It revealed to her that Mr. Meecham possessed that necessary item, a sense of humor after all. Best of all, it hinted at an interest in getting to know her better. And though the smile didn’t convey it, the fact that he was putting up at the inn revealed him to have some money.
    “A little holiday, is it?”Lady Brown inquired, her nose quivering for news.
    “More than that. I am doing a little business on the side, if I can persuade Joshua to indulge me.”
    The ladies were naturally interested to hear more. Joshua gave a quelling look to Meecham, who was looking at Esther, and remained oblivious. He continued, “We are going to have a look at the Pilchener place this afternoon.”
    Before Lady Brown could phrase a question, Joshua rose and said, “We’d best be going now, Meecham.”
    The only person left with whom she could discuss the mystery was her niece. “What business could Joshua and Meecham have in common? Pilchener’s place is up for sale, but it’s huge,”Lady Brown said. “Joshua could never afford to buy it. Perhaps Mr. Meecham is more interesting than we thought. He does not look rich,”she added, revealing what caused the new interest. “I wonder if he will buy Pilchener’s estate.”
    After a fruitless discussion Esther decided to take a stroll by the Thames, with her prettiest parasol to protect her face from the sun, a shawl against the cool breezes, and her best morning gown in case she chanced to meet Beau Fletcher. It was there that she finally made his acquaintance.
    She became aware he was following her as soon as she began her turn along the gravel path that edged the river. When she stopped to look across at the far side, where a pleasure craft was being put into the water, he stopped a few feet behind her. When she progressed to admire the swans, he did likewise. When she continued her stroll, he was not more than two steps behind her. There was a barge in the water, towing some abandoned craft. It made an excuse to stop and let him pass, for she was curious to observe him, as he had been observing her.
    Instead of passing, he stopped and raised a telescope to look at the barge. That was unusual enough that it seemed natural to look at him. Before he had it at his eye for two seconds, he took it down and looked