Harry frowned, then decided he’d questioned the old woman enough. “Come, my lady.” He took Lady Georgina’s elbow and escorted her back up the path. As he was helping her into the gig, he glanced back.

The boy leaned on the corner of the cottage, head down, one bare foot on top of the other. He’d probably heard every word his grandmother had said about his mother. There weren’t enough hours in the day to solve all the problems of this world. Da had said that often enough when Harry had been growing up.

“Wait a moment, my lady.” Harry strode the short distance to the boy.

He looked up warily as Harry approached but didn’t move otherwise.

Harry looked down at him. “If she dies, or you find yourself without, come to me. My name is Harry Pye. Repeat it.”

“Harry Pye,” the boy whispered.

“Good. Here, see if she’ll get you some clothes.”

He placed a shilling in the boy’s hand and returned to the gig without waiting for thanks. It had been a sentimental gesture and one that was probably useless. The old woman was as likely to use the shilling for gin as to buy the boy new clothes. He climbed in the gig, ignoring Lady Georgina’s smile, and took up the reins. When he glanced again at the boy, he was staring at the coin in his hand. They pulled away.

“What an awful story.” Her smile had died.

“Yes.” Harry looked sideways at her. “I’m sorry you heard it.” He urged the horse into a trot. Best to be off Granville land as soon as possible.

“I don’t think anyone in that family could be poisoning the sheep. The woman is too old and afraid, the boy too young, and it sounds like Annie’s husband has got on with his life. Unless Annie came back?”

He shook his head. “If she’s been at the gin stalls all this time, she’s no threat to anyone.”

Sheep grazed on either side of the road, a peaceful scene, in spite of the lowering clouds and rising wind. Harry watched the surrounding area narrowly. After yesterday, he was wary of an attack.

“Have you another farmer to visit today?” Lady Georgina held her hat to her head with one hand.

“No, my lady. I—” They topped a rise, and Harry caught sight of what lay on the other side. Abruptly he pulled on the reins. “Goddamn.”

The gig rolled to a stop. Harry stared at three lumps of wool lying just inside the dry stone wall bordering the road.

“Are they dead?” Lady Georgina whispered.

“Yes.” Harry tied off the reins, set the brake, and leaped from the gig.