A Bouquet of Thorns by Tania Crosse

Author:Tania Crosse [Crosse, Tania]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Romance
Publisher: Severn House
Published: 2008-01-01T05:00:00+00:00

Thirteen

‘So, did you have a good time with your friend?’ Charles asked stiffly as they drove home across the moor.

Rose flashed him a relaxed smile. ‘Yes, thank you. And your inspection?’

‘Well, I have to admit that I wasn’t exactly sure what I was looking for. I nearly came to fetch you as you know far more about it than I do. But I reckon the prosecution will have shaken things up somewhat and everyone will be more vigilant in the future.’

‘Good. I’d hate anyone to be hurt again like my father was. By the way, Molly and I have decided upon Wednesdays for me to visit. And sometimes she might come over to me, if that’s all right with you?’

She cocked her head to one side, smiling angelically as if it were all perfectly natural, which, she considered, it should be. Charles conceded with a grimace. He didn’t exactly approve, but at least one day a week, he would know where she was.

And so, on the following Wednesday, she drove Merlin and the wagonette over to the powder mills as Charles had said he needed Tansy to ride into Tavistock to do some business at the bank. But he didn’t go straight there. Instead, half an hour after Rose left Fencott Place, he made a long detour up the Postbridge Road. On nearing the cottages where the track led off towards the gunpowder factory, he spied Merlin unharnessed from the wagonette and tethered in the shade. Charles was satisfied. For now.

Rose, for her part, was playing the game. Each time she went out, sometimes on Tansy or sometimes taking the wagonette, she gave Charles her route or destination, returning at the estimated time. Once or twice, with his permission, she rode into Tavistock, spent some while shopping, and returned with her purchases to show him. It meant she was out most of the day, all in preparation for when she would receive news through Molly of Captain and Mrs Bradley’s stay at Rosebank Hall.

The message from Richard and Elizabeth Pencarrow came at last. Rose tore open the envelope as she took it from Molly’s outstretched hand, her pulse vibrating at her temples. Was it from them, or had someone replied to her enquiries regarding Gospel? Would she drown in bitter disappointment, or rise on a wave of hope? She gasped with relief. The Bradleys were coming the following week and Rose was welcome to come on any day.

Announcing to Charles that she was going into town, Rose set out in the direction of Tavistock. She was reasonably confident that Charles would not follow, but she nevertheless felt a nervous sweat flush her skin. She must make her outing as legitimate as possible and so she stopped at Tor Quarry at Merrivale to enquire how the new business was faring – their use of powder from Cherrybrook providing a valid excuse – so that she could provide proof that she had at least ridden that far. She also had about her

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