A Rogue at Stonecliffe by Candace Camp

Author:Candace Camp
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2023-04-13T19:39:51+00:00

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

THE VOICE CAME AGAIN, closer to the building. “Is anyone there?”

Sloane let out an oath and strode to the other side of the room and stood, looking out the window. Annabeth hurried toward the door, rebuttoning her dress with fingers that trembled. She suspected that her hair was disheveled, but maybe that could be passed off as a result of her work in here. But God only knew what was in her face; her cheeks were blazing. Still, she was probably in better shape to face the public than Sloane.

She pressed her palms against her cheeks and drew in a breath before she opened the door. “Mrs. Todd. How nice to see you.”

“Miss Winfield. I was rather worried.” She gestured behind her to where a groom stood, holding the head of the horse Annabeth had been riding this morning. “One of the grooms found this mare wandering about, and he thought it was Lady Priscilla’s. I was worried that she might have met with an accident. It occurred to me that perhaps you and she were here. Is everything all right?”

“Yes. I’m terribly sorry. Please come in.” Annabeth stepped back to let the other woman enter. “I borrowed Priscilla’s horse. I’m afraid it threw me.”

Mrs. Todd drew in a little gasp. “Oh, my. Were you hurt?”

“Nothing but my pride,” Annabeth replied with a smile. “Fortunately Mr. Rutherford was with me.”

“Ah, yes, I see.”

Sloane turned and gave her a polite bow. “Mrs. Todd. It’s good to see you again.”

“Mr. Rutherford.” The older woman looked over at Sloane, curiosity clear in her eyes.

“I should take care of your horse. Pray excuse me,” he said abruptly, and strode out of the workshop.

Before Mrs. Todd could ask questions about Sloane and Annabeth being alone in this secluded place, Annabeth said, “I hope you do not mind our coming here. I know I should have asked your permission, but I didn’t think about it yesterday, and we were out riding nearby. I thought you would not mind.”

“No, of course you’re quite welcome to visit it.” The older woman looked around doubtfully at the dirty room, made even messier by their search.

“I have many happy memories of this place,” Annabeth said by way of explanation. “My father loved it. I’m so glad you didn’t tear it down.”

“It seemed a bit of a waste. Mr. Todd thought we might be able to use it for something one day.” Mrs. Todd gave it another skeptical look.

“There are one or two things I might want to take with me. Would that be all right?”

“Yes, dear.” This wish, too, seemed something Mrs. Todd had trouble envisioning. “Well... I should let you get back to work. Perhaps you’d like to come up to the house for tea.”

“That’s a lovely thought. Thank you for the invitation. But as you can see, we aren’t suitable for calling on anyone.” Annabeth swept her hand down her front, indicating the dusty state of her clothes. With horror, she saw that she had not buttoned one of her buttons.

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