Aincourt Series Complete Collection: So Wild A Heart ; The Hidden Heart ; Secrets of the Heart by Candace Camp

Author:Candace Camp
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: HQN Books
Published: 2018-10-15T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 11

Jessica stopped by Gabriela’s door on her way down the hall to her own bedroom and turned the doorknob quietly. It was locked from the inside, as she had instructed Gabriela to do each night. She went next door and rapped lightly on Rachel’s door, and at the sound of Rachel’s voice, she stepped inside.

Rachel smiled at her from the bed, but it was not a very strong smile. Her eyes were watery, and she admitted that both her throat and her head hurt a little. “I think I am coming down with a head cold,” she admitted mournfully. “I am so sorry. I’m sure you will need help with the extra company.”

“Yes, I suppose we must do something to keep them from growing bored. What an odd lot they are, too.” Jessica kept Rachel entertained for the next few minutes describing Mr. Cobb, Miss Pargety and the others, and she was glad to see that Rachel’s spirits rose during her visit.

After a while she left Rachel to get some sleep and walked across the hall to her own bedroom. She glanced at Cleybourne’s door, just one door down the hall from hers, and wondered if he was in there yet. She shook off the thought, reminding herself how unproductive it was, and began to get ready for bed.

Pulling on one of her plain white flannel gowns, she took down her hair, sighing with relief, and brushed out the thick red curls. She climbed into bed, shivering a little in the cold room, the fire in the fireplace banked for the night. She had thought that she would have difficulty falling to sleep, for lately her mind seemed to whir on for ages, usually concerning the Duke of Cleybourne. But it had been a tiring day, and she fell asleep quickly.

She had been asleep for a while when a noise brought her awake, eyes flying open and heart pounding. She sat up, trying to remember what had awakened her. Had it been the sound of her doorknob turning? She wasn’t sure. She had been dreaming, and the dream and reality were blurred.

Jessica slipped out of bed, putting on her bedroom slippers, then wrapped her dressing gown around her and tied it. She walked quietly across the floor and listened, her ear against the door. She could hear nothing. Unlocking the door, she eased it open a crack and peered out into the hall. There was nothing there, only the dark corridor, lit dimly with moonlight from the windows at either end of the hallway.

She stood for a moment, looking. Then, furtively, a dark form slipped from the shadows on one side of the hallway and across to the top of the staircase, then disappeared down the stairs. Jessica’s heart began to knock crazily in her rib cage. Who was stealing down the staircase at this time of night? Her first thought was of the intruder who had broken into the schoolroom the other night. Was it Vesey? She could not imagine why he would be sneaking around at this time of night.

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