The Debutante (The Sinclair Society Series, Book Two) Rough Draft

Epilogue

Across from me, Lady Leith's head rested against the side of the carriage as she slept. The swaying of the carriage had sent her right off once the journey had begun. I knew if I leaned forward and looked out the right window, I would see Sir Horace Leith riding his horse alongside. We had left Bath the day before and were drawing near to the baron's estate.

Focusing my gaze on the left window, I thought back to leaving Bath. Everyone proclaimed that Mr. Ingram had gotten drunk and died due to his own misstep. I, of course, had my own opinion on the matter, but there wasn't a thing I could do to prove it even if I'd wanted to. The man had delighted in secrets and using them for his own gain. It wasn't a stretch of the imagination to think someone had taken exception to his manipulation and put an end to it. He'd shown such an interest in my brother, I dared go a step further and guessed it was the same person who had killed my brother also killed him.

As I said, though, I could not prove such a theory. Perhaps it was for the best.

Before I left, I'd written a letter to Aunt Beth to make her aware of where I would be next, but I'd also written to my uncle.

I could remember one part I'd written with great clarity: 'It has been brought to my attention that five years ago, you saw fit to discourage a suitor I was fond of. Mr. Bladen told me this much. As I only have his side of the story, I beg you to enlighten me on this matter. What objections were there to his marrying me?'

It would take some time to receive his response, but I was determined to understand why Mr. Bladen had been turned away. My uncle had shown no inclination to care for my future, aside from placing me with my great-aunt to serve as companion to her. So what reason did he have to deny a match that would absolve him of a responsibility he didn't want?

Not that learning what prompted his decision would affect my decision to have anything to do with Mr. Bladen. Perhaps, though, I would know what I could look for, either to avoid or encourage, in a suitor in the future.

Whoever I decided to marry, I would have to trust them so much for I would be obliged to tell them of my adventures. Would I ever meet a man I could be sure of? Mr. Harper's face crossed my mind and I quickly shook my head.

At least going to Baron Leith's estate, Clarendon, would put my closer to London and home. I could only hope that my journey to discover the truth behind my family's deaths would soon end and I could forget everything I'd endured.

The story will end in Chasing the Future