A Chance Encounter by Fenella J Miller

Author:Fenella J Miller [Miller, Fenella J]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2013-12-08T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Seven

Victoria drifted sadly into her bedchamber to remove her garments; it was far too late to ask for hot water to be prepared so she must make do with a strip wash using the jug left out for her. She was now extremely hungry, all the running about had made her regret she had declined dinner.

Her thoughts were less tangled than they had been before because something quite extraordinary had belatedly occurred to her. He had kissed her, not once, but twice and had quite deliberately closed the door. He was a gentleman, he would not have taken such liberties if his intentions were not honourable. Had he not been larding his conversation with quiet unsuitable endearments? Surely this must mean he had feelings for her?

A shiver of excitement rippled through her – however unlikely it might seem she believed he did intend to pay his addresses. Any other explanation would make him dishonourable, and that she did not believe for a moment. His sharp words were a reflection of his hurt, not his true feelings. From deepest gloom her emotions soared to elation, once they had put this misunderstanding to one side she believed it possible she would discover he reciprocated her feelings.

She would wait until the kitchen was unoccupied then creep down to make herself a late repast. The time was almost ten o’clock; in this household even the housekeeper would have finished her daily tasks and retired to her parlour. Should she dress in something more suitable than her nightgown and wrapper? What if she unexpectedly encountered him when she was dressed so inappropriately?

Far more likely he would, at this very moment, be retrieving his weaponry and double checking the house was secure. She prayed it would be impossible for anyone to break in with all the shutters fastened.

If he was to be prowling around downstairs she had better wait another hour before venturing to the kitchen. She would occupy her time by writing up her journal. Never had she had so much excitement in her entire life than she could report for today. When her clock eventually struck eleven she believed it safe to go downstairs. The house had been silent for sometime, no light shining out onto the terrace below her window.

Her stomach rumbled loudly; if she did not eat soon she would faint clean away. Secure in the knowledge she would not be seen, she tied her bedrobe tightly, checked her hair was hidden under her cap and picked up a candlestick. She did not relish negotiating the dark corridors of the servants’ quarters at this late hour, so decided to take the main stair case.

Holding her candlestick aloft she stole along the passage that led to the gallery overlooking the main hall. She paused at the top to gather up her skirts, was about to descend, when a noise alerted her. Who could it be at such a time? The faint flicker of a single candle in the passageway that led from the library gave her the answer.

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