11 - Christmas in Stickleback Hollow by Woolley C S

Author:Woolley, C S [Woolley, C S]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780995146709
Google: iXa-zgEACAAJ
Publisher: Mightier Than the Sword UK Publications
Published: 2021-11-25T11:46:41+00:00

Chapter 13

Captain Wilbraham Egerton took his leave of the Grangeback party. Nothing would have pleased him more than to spend the whole of the ball in their company, but he had a niggling doubt that he could not wrestle into silence.

Though he had warned Lady Sarah to be careful, he could not shake the feeling that she was in immediate danger. The only way he could think of to stop these feelings was to speak to his brother about the situation. William Egerton had been engaged in political conversations since the ball began and he would not be difficult to find.

“Wilbraham, there you are! Where have you been hiding?” Thomas Egerton called out to his older brother as he spotted him in the hallway.

“Oh Thomas, Edward, why are you not dancing with your companions?” Wilbraham replied as he looked up to see his brothers approaching.

“They are being captive by mother. She insists she needs them to help her oversee the party. Now come, older brother, tell us where have you been!” Edward said enthusiastically.

“Waltzing with Lady Sarah to keep her out of our cousin’s grasp,” Wilbraham said dryly.

“Oh ho! I told you! Hunter leaves and our dear brother throws his hat at her ladyship,” Thomas crowed.

“That is not it at all. I admire her ladyship, but that is all. Now lower your voice,” Wilbraham warned his brothers.

“You are wound too tightly, brother. Thomas was merely jesting. Is there something wrong?” Edward asked.

“No, but I am looking for Carlo Pozzo di Borgo, have you seen him?” Wilbraham asked as he glanced about.

“Yes, he was talking to William, but he was called away. He went outside not two minutes ago,” Thomas replied.

“Thank you. Oh, could you both go to the ballroom and ensure that Lady Sarah and the party from Grangeback don’t leave just yet?” Wilbraham asked as he began to move towards the door.

“Why?” Edward frowned.

“Because I said so,” Wilbraham replied. Thomas looked at Edward and shrugged. The two shaking their heads, set off for the ballroom to do as their brother asked.

“Someone should tell him that we aren’t in the army,” Edward muttered under his breath.

Wilbraham made his way through the milling throng of party guests to the grand entrance to the great house. He paused in the doorway to drink in the cold night air and reached into his inside pocket in search of a cigar.

Putting it to his lips, he took a moment to casually glance about until he saw the Russian ambassador moving across the lawn towards the summer house.

Lighting the cigar, Wilbraham followed at a casual pace, trying to make it seem as though he was not in pursuit of the ambassador.

The Russian moved quickly, not bothering to look over his shoulder. He did not see danger lurking in shadows, he was that danger. His heavy footsteps obliterated any sound that Wilbraham’s feet made.

There was a single lamp lit in the window of the summerhouse, something that struck Wilbraham as odd. Not only because everyone was

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