The Resilient Lady Collins

Chapter 78: Guards at the door (2)

"Will you keep the claim that you do not know him?" Glenn questioned, believing that Ian had something to do with Robert’s disappearance since Scarlet was here. "You were arguing over the same woman inside at the viscount’s party."

"Oh, that man. I didn’t know his name. I had one little interaction with him which wasn’t pleasant so I can’t say I know him. He was being pushy with a woman and I stepped in to stop him. Shouldn’t I be rewarded?" Ian replied.

Ian instantly wasn’t fond of the guard at the front since his eyes desperately wanted to go toward where Scarlet sat. Why was someone always around trying to compete with him for her attention?

"He hasn’t been home for three days-"

"Perhaps he went to harass someone else. I don’t see what this has to do with me. I left the party to protect Scarlet from him and now, I’ve become a suspect for walking away from trouble. Are you bored?" Ian asked, pulling the door for it to close to hide Scarlet.

"Bored? We’re doing our job to speak with everyone who spoke with him last. Where did you go after you left the party and I need you to open the door as I need to question Scarlet as well," said Glenn.

"Maybe it is because I just woke up but you’re addressing her a little too casually for my liking. I took Scarlet back to my home and made something for her to eat. We spent a few hours there and then I sent her off in my carriage. Which reminds me of something important," Ian said.

"What is it?" Glenn asked, hoping for a lead.

"I forgot to get my carriage from her. That gives me a good reason to show up at her estate and not be turned away. Thank you for reminding me. Now you can leave," Ian said, no longer interested in speaking of Robert.

The only statement they could get about Robert would have to come from the creatures in the pond that didn’t like his presence there. It took Owen too long to remember he was to move Robert’s body from there.

"We are not done yet," Glenn said, putting his hand on the doorknob to stop Ian from leaving. "I said we must speak with Scarlet."

"You asked what we did and I answered. I didn’t leave home after Scarlet left and this business here is quite new so I am always here. Go find your answers about this Richard somewhere else," Ian replied.

"It’s Robert," Glenn corrected.

As of right now, Glenn didn’t know what to make of Ian. He had never spoken to Ian before now to know what kind of person he was. If Ian was the type to cause trouble.

It was known to everyone that the man before him was a Kingsley and that the family never caused any trouble, but Ian was hanging around Scarlet.

It couldn’t be a coincidence that Robert approached Scarlet, she didn’t like it, and she was here with the man who pushed Robert.

"Your eagerness to get away from me leads me to believe that you might have had something to do with his disappearance," Glenn said, still holding the door.

"You saw that she is inside. Maybe it doesn’t happen for you to understand, but it is rude to leave a woman by herself. The man to the right of you nodded his head so someone gets it," Ian said, glancing at the man he knew would be scolded later.

Glenn looked to his right at the guard who agreed with Ian. "Regardless, we must speak with her. We must speak with everyone who had a conflict with him around the day he didn’t go home. It would save us the trouble of having to go to her estate. If she is innocent, she will have no problem-"

Scarlet opening the door interrupted the conversation. She was suspicious of the guards coming to Ian and then him closing the door. Seeing that it was Glenn this might be about her. "Is this something that concerns me?"

"Yes. Robert Marshal has been reported missing. We were told that you had a little argument with him which lines up on the day we believe he went missing. Where did you go after the viscount’s party?" Glenn asked. He was certain it was her doing.

"I went to see Ian’s home, ate, and then went home. Each time someone in this town dies, you cannot keep turning to my family as the culprit. I had a short unpleasant interaction with him and then went on my way," Scarlet answered.

Scarlet knew that Glenn would love for her to be the culprit. He had this interest in catching certain families who used their power or wealth to get rid of those troubling them and the Collins were on that list. Then there was the fact she had spoken about his father’s incident.

"My driver is out front so you can question him about where I have been. I urge you to make that conversation worth it so you don’t need to show up at my gates. I’ve warned you what might happen should you return there. Have a good day gentlemen," Scarlet said, bidding goodbye to the guards.

Glenn gritted his teeth, angered that there was nothing more he could question them about as their stories for that day matched and Scarlet’s driver would say anything to get her out of trouble. All he could do was wait and watch for her to make a mistake to reveal her deed and he would be right there to take her in. frёewebnoѵel.ƈo๓

"Again," Ian said, moving to stand between Scarlet and the guard. "Avert your gaze. I’d hate to have to leave my business becaue I punched a guard."

"Keep getting involved with her and you’ll find yourself in trouble," Glenn warned. Nothing good came from these families who had power for too many generations.

Ian smiled, disregarding the warning. "Men, we understand each other. Is this anger because she turned you down? Now, if you throw the first punch, I think I am free to respond how I see fit. Right?" He asked as Glenn had stepped to him.

"This isn’t over," Glenn said, knowing he would be back before these two. "We’re leaving," he told the guards behind him. ƒreewebηoveℓ.com

"Even the guards are a pain in the ass," Ian said loudly so the guards could hear him clearly. "What?" He asked, looking down at Scarlet who stared at him with her arms folded like she was going to scold him.

"Come back inside. You have something you need to share with me," Scarlet replied, entering the room first to sit down.

Ian thought over whether it would be better to go with the guards or go back inside with Scarlet to be questioned about Robert. The guards were a better option, but then again, he wanted to enjoy what little time he had left with Scarlet for the day.

Ian entered the room, locking the door behind him so they wouldn’t be disturbed. "That was a surprising visit from them."

"I am not a fool, Ian. What did you do?’ Scarlet questioned as she knew the chance of this being Ian’s doing was high. "At the first sound of a lie, I shall leave and not return for seven days."

"Threatening me with not seeing you. How cruel. I didn’t kill Robert, he drowned. I might have had him tied to a chair so he wouldn’t be able to move, but the fact he couldn’t hold his breath long lies on him," Ian answered.