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She shook her head. Her tongue seemed to have swollen up so she couldn’t get a coherent word out.
“I saw you trying for the pole. That was quick thinking.”
“You were quick thinking,” she managed.
His mouth curved. “I’ll go with you to fetch Rose,” he offered. “She’ll be scared about her brother.”
“What about Fletcher here?” Johnny asked.
“Oh, I reckon Mr. Pershing will want a word with him. Keep him there.”
Will sat George in a chair at the kitchen table. The boy had already coughed up a good portion of the pond, but he seemed to be breathing well now. “Does your chest hurt?” he asked, squatting in front of him.
“No.” George coughed again. “I saw a fish when I was under water.”
“That’s very observant of you. Can you tell me what happened?”
The boy’s eyes narrowed a little. “Ask James. I don’t remember,” he said.
“Mm-hmm. Mrs. Brubbins, perhaps some cake might be called for.”
George straightened up, coughing again. “I think cake would help, yes. Definitely. Where’s Rosie?”
“I’m here,” his sister said, hurrying into the kitchen with Hannah and Billet.
Will straightened and Emmeline took his place, holding the boy’s hand and kissing his temple. “What the devil happened?” he asked the maid, keeping his voice pitched low.
“I’m not certain,” Hannah said, answering him. “I was in the library fetching books, and I saw the three of them out in the garden. James had his arm around George’s head. It… bothered me, so I went out after them.” Tears filled her eyes. “I hope I didn’t make it worse, but Rose ran, and I hit James, and then he picked George up and just… just threw him as far as he could into the pond.”
“The sprite came running up, bellowing that James was killing George in the garden,” Billet took up. “We ran that way, and I saw Fletcher shoving Hannah while she tried to grab the punter’s pole. I knocked him down and went in to get George. That’s all I know, sir. Except Johnny’s still got Fletcher out in the garden, at the end of a pitchfork.”
“That’s a good place for him.” Will looked over his shoulder. “I’ll be back in a moment, Emmeline,” he said, and walked back outside.
“Get this ass off me,” James ordered, shoving at the pitchfork.
Will took the pitchfork. “Thank you, Johnny. I’ve got him now.” He waited until both stable boys were out of sight. “You may sit up now.”
With a groan James sat up and brushed at his coat. “You lot interrupted a family argument,” he said. “I’d like an apology. And that Billet needs to be sacked.”
“I can’t decide if you actually wanted George to drown, or if you’re just an idiot.” Will gripped the pitchfork hard, but kept it pointed toward the ground.
“It’s none of your affair, Pershing. I told you, I’m their family. No damage done.”
“No thanks to you.”
The young man rubbed his jaw, which had a red mark on it, hopefully from Billet’s fist. That man was getting a bonus. “I lost my temper. You know how they are, minds all full of clouds and butterflies. What do you expect?”
Will smiled. “I’m glad you asked. I expect you to collect your things and vacate the premises.”
The young man didn’t even blink. “I thought I was your guest. And I’m judging your ability to look after my brother and sister.”
“The next time you steal jewelry, don’t sell it back in the same village where the owners reside, James.”
“What?” James put a hand to his chest. “Those were your things? I found them in the stream. How was I to know where they come from?”
Resisting the urge to throttle the young man, Will took a breath. “I’m not going to debate you. Get your things and leave. Now. Before I change my mind.”
“Or what, you’ll send for the local constabulary?” James shook his head. “Why don’t you tell me how that would go. Like I said, it was a family disagreement.”