Two Lady Scoundrels and a Duke - Tessa Candle Page 0,41

their gums about the fact that Eleanor was visiting there, and that is how the news had gotten back to Auchdun.

Perhaps the staff at Fenimore were more reliable, but it no longer mattered. He now knew her location. If she could think of somewhere else to travel to get away from him, she would leave. She could only hope that he would accept her refusal and give up.

She had more important things to worry about now, however. It was paramount to inform Frobisher that someone was being imprisoned in his cave so the man could be rescued immediately.

She started as a voice spoke suddenly in her ear, “Say, I know a shorter path, about which I am sure Auchdun doesn’t have any inkling.”

“You should not sneak up on a person like that.”

“I wasn’t sneaking. Your ladyship was merely deep in thought. No doubt treasuring up the great satisfaction of refusing another smitten suitor. I understand ladies find that sport thoroughly invigorating.”

He was far too glib. She wanted to comment that he did not sound much like a workman, but giving any hint of suspicion was a bad idea. “I believe I will remain on the path that I know, thank you. If I am slowing you down, please do not feel obligated to accompany me.”

He huffed but slowed to put some distance between them again. “With that wolf prowling about, I’ll not let your ladyship out of my sight until Fenimore.”

She felt like Little Red Riding Hood. Was this not the wolf himself offering her protection? She could not be sure.

They finally arrived at the manor house without being further accosted. The man made a demi-bow and departed for the servant’s entrance. Eleanor was surprised to find that she did not want him to slip away so quickly.

What had she thought would happen? They were not going to sit down together for tea. And, although he had done her a service, she was increasingly persuaded that he must have something to do with the prisoner in the pirate’s cave. Why else would he have been in that location right at that precise moment?

As she entered and removed her bonnet and fur, the worm of doubt twisted about in her mind. How much should she tell Frobisher? Her heart told her that she should not repay the white-toothed man’s kindness to her by tattling on him. She rolled her eyes. What sort of simpleton thought reporting a crime was tattling merely because the wrongdoer was handsome?

Did she think he was handsome? An exasperated sigh escaped her. The case was worse than she had thought.

Right. She would have a strong cup of tea and gather her wits. Then she would tell Frobisher everything.

Sample Chapter 4

Delville munched a hunk of bread and cold pork and shuffled into the back of the crowd of workmen assembling behind Fenimore. His pockets were lined with enough provisions to keep Wormshit alive. If the prisoner wanted food, he would have to comply with Delville’s demands.

He vaguely attended to the droning voice of the foreman, who was extending a general invitation to John Pine’s wedding soiree in the village that evening, and giving some sort of work instructions for the next day and announcing a special bonus tea ration in honour of the steward’s matrimony, before the church-goers all went to see the wedding in the village.

Delville dismissed it all. He could steal all the tea he liked, and work instructions were irrelevant. He would not be breaking his back on Monday. The secret chamber was complete, so as far as he was concerned, his job was done. He’d walk down with the crew and then find a way to sneak off into the back while they were beautifying the front passageways.

He wondered if all the pretty crystals, shells and faux cabochons had lured the young lady out to the cavern. Had she come in for a peek, or had she merely been strolling in the area? She might not have come to the cave at all. He could not be certain whether she had spied him exiting the cavern, but he thought not. She had her hands rather full with that waste of tailoring, Auchdun.

She acted wary of men in general, but not really afraid of Delville. His secret was probably safe. But was she safe? That was another question. She certainly should not be stepping out for solitary walks. She was far too pretty to be left alone, no matter how much she tried to powder