Chapter ONE - Weebly

“By Cyrus Derne,” Ethan said. “Mister Berson
mentioned it.”
“Not all of us were as pleased with th’ match as
Jennifer,” the man said.
William sounded more like a concerned uncle than a
servant. Abner Berson probably would have thought it
impertinent had he heard. But this man, whatever his
station, cared about the family he served.
“Do you suspect Mister Derne of doing her harm?”
Ethan asked.
William shook his head. “Nothin’ so … heinous,” he
said. “But he strikes me as a careless man, someone
who coulda led her int’ peril.” He glanced back toward
the door. “If my master knew that I was telling ya this
—”
Ethan raised a hand, stopping him. “He’ll hear
nothing of this conversation from me. Derne would have
been the first person I sought out regardless. Now I’ll
meet the man armed with your perceptions of him.
Thank you for that.”
William ascended the steps. “Watch yourself, Mister
Kaille,” he said over his shoulder. “Judging from th’