Ross thought it far more generous than Darcy deserved.
‘Ross?’ Franklin was watching him anxiously.
‘Oh, sure,’ he said. ‘That’s fine by me. I don’t think I want that kind of publicity any more than you do. To be honest, I’ve had a bellyful of publicity of any kind.’
Franklin’s look held a wealth of gratitude. ‘I don’t know how to thank you,’ he began earnestly.
‘Please, don’t. If I made any useful contribution it was as a catalyst. I think I charged round like a bull in a china shop until Darcy was sure I’d uncover him by accident, if nothing else! I mean, for a long time I had Roland down as the villain, for Chrissakes!’
‘Roland?’ the Colonel exclaimed through the general amusement. ‘Good Lord! Why ever? He hasn’t enough energy to be a criminal.’
Ross caught Roland’s eye across the room and he winked. Ross had asked him on the way home why he had never told his father what his real profession was. ‘Oh, I don’t know. I expect I will one day. It’s just . . . well, I think an excess of fatherly pride would be a little tiresome, don’t you?’ Roland had said. ‘He’s quite fond of me as I am, you know.’
After a few more minutes, McKinnon took his leave.
‘I would imagine it won’t be long before the police appear to inform you of the tragic “accident” that has happened on your land, involving one Leo Jackson lately in your employ,’ he told the Colonel. ‘I think it would be better if I have Darcy out of the way before they do.’
On his way out, he shook hands with each of them, pausing for a moment by Ross.
‘If you ever grow tired of playing with horses, young man,’ he said, ‘you could always come and work for me.’
‘Uh, thanks but no thanks, as they say,’ Ross declined politely. ‘I prefer problem horses to problem people.’
McKinnon shook his head, apparently not understanding how anyone could, and went on his way.
As he left, Lindsay arrived.
She came into the room unconscious of the preceding drama and it was clear that the atmosphere struck her almost immediately.
‘I couldn’t get through to the yard, there’s a tree down, so I came round . . . Goodness, this is quite a crowd! What’s been going on? Have I missed something?’ she asked of no one in particular.
For some reason everyone looked at Roland.
He looked astounded.
‘Why me?’ he exclaimed in aggrieved tones.
Lindsay shrugged. ‘Well, if it’s some great secret . . . Ross will tell me later, won’t you, Ross?’ She moved across to sit on the arm of his chair, draping her arm round his neck.
Significant glances were exchanged around the room but Ross didn’t care. His aches and pains began to feel more bearable by the moment.
‘By the way,’ Lindsay said, dismissing the mystery as of no importance, ‘I’ve had an idea. I was wondering – do you think if we clubbed together we could buy Bishop for Ross to ride? I’ve got some money put by.’
Ross made a movement of protest, the Colonel and Roland looked thoughtful, and Franklin looked at his toes.
‘I’m afraid,’ he said in quiet apology, ‘that this particular Yorkshire farmer has no wish to sell.’
Cut Throat Page 44
