Doubting Abbey by Samantha Tonge

Author:Samantha Tonge
Language: eng
Format: azw3, mobi, epub
Tags: Romance, Contemporary, Fiction
ISBN: 9781472073778
Publisher: Carina
Published: 2013-11-10T00:00:00+00:00

LORD EDWARD’S E-DIARY

Wednesday 5th September

‘Comments’

11.45p.m. A quick goodnight before I change out of soaking clothes. Earlier, Mr Thompson alerted me to the presence of intruders in the gardens. Promptly I joined him in his hunt for the culprits. Take heed, prospective trespassers, his gun is loaded, lethal and lightning-quick. Indeed, tonight, harm was done. A price has been paid for his vigilance.

Chapter 17

‘What an absolute hero – you saved my life last night, Edward,’ I said.

He was pacing up and down in the Parlour, ahead of the Thursday night episode of Million Dollar Mansion.’ From near the front window, Lady C tutted. With the Earl, she’d been admiring an oil painting of a pheasant.

‘Do explain once more, Abbey, how you got lost in the maze, clothes soaking, unprepared, without an umbrella…?’ Cue fierce dinner lady stare.

I’d decided not to tell Lady C any more about my sex-up plan with Nick. It would only stress her out and the less people that knew, the better.

‘The maze has claimed many victims over the years,’ said Edward and smiled. ‘My cousin could have been in there all night – like Mr Barden.’

The old Earl chuckled.

‘He was a business associate of my father,’ continued Edward. ‘After a glass of red wine too many, he wandered into the maze. We didn’t hear his calls for help until after breakfast the following morning.’

‘Indeed, I was a silly sausage, Auntie,’ I said. ‘After an afternoon in the hot kitchen and dusty evacuees’ room upstairs, I needed some fresh air. Once outside, unable to, um, resist a challenge, I entered the maze, convinced I’d find my way out. I should have kept an eye on the approaching inclement weather. Thank goodness Edward found me and led the way out.’

It’s a jolly good thing Mr Thompson didn’t spot you,’ said the Earl as he crossed the room and sat down in his terracotta chair. ‘Nothing or no one gets in his way when he’s tracking intruders with his shotgun.’

‘But he, um, still hasn’t found any, has he?’ I asked as Lady C joined me on the mustard sofa.

The Earl snorted. ‘No. Damn lucky so far, those blighters have been. Mr Thompson’s hearing is super-human. That man could shoot a rabbit dead with both eyes closed, if he had to.’

Lady C looked at ‘James’ and smiled.

‘He swore he almost caught some youngsters by the pond, last night,’ the Earl continued. ‘In fact, he spotted one, hiding behind the fountain. Fortunately for them, his shot just missed. Instead, it hit the water feature, which now has a chunk missing.’

Fortunately for Nick, more like. Relief had surged through my veins this morning when I found out it was the fountain and not Nick that had been damaged.

I cleared my throat. ‘Right, well, we’ve got two hours until the staff join us to watch the programme.’ I bit into a yummy teacake, making sure my chewing was dainty. In between bites, I wiped my fingers on a napkin, before picking up an A4 pad and pen.

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