Her Fiery Heart: Brides for the Earl's Sonsa by Isabel Simonds

Author:Isabel Simonds
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: Regency Romance France Soldier
Publisher: Isabel Simonds
Published: 2018-10-04T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter 8: An unexpected occurrence

It was after he had been at home another two days that the message arrived. William, sitting in the parlor, a cup of early tea in his hand, frowned when Laney called him.

“What is it?”

“Message for you, sir.”

The old butler's soft voice sounded strained. William felt his frown grow more intense. What was wrong.

“Who brought it?”

“He's waiting downstairs, sir,” he said. “He has to deliver it to you alone.”

This heightened William's interest, and he stood, setting aside the tea. Opposite him, George looked up from his book, frowning.

“Is it something worrying?” he asked.

William shook his head. “I'm sure it's nothing bad, George.”

All the same, as he walked down the hallway after the butler, he wasn't so sure.

At the door, he was met by a young officer. Cheeks shaved to rawness in places, the youth seemed crisp with efficiency.

“Sir,” he said, saluting as William came to the door. “I have a message from the colonel, to be delivered to Lieutenant-colonel North in person.”

“I am the person you're looking for,” William nodded. “Can I take the message here, or...?” he frowned, encouraging. If the young man had memorized the message, he'd like as not want to give it somewhere more private.

“The colonel wishes to speak with you in person, sir,” the youth said crisply. “If you could meet him in Wexfield tomorrow afternoon.”

“I can, assuredly,” William nodded, as Wexfield was an easy afternoon ride from the village. But who was he to meet? And why? “I do, however, have an inquiry to make.”

“Yes, sir?”

“Who is the colonel?”

The youth blushed. “Begging your pardon, sir. It's Colonel Wallace, of the—”

“Yes, I know which regiment he's colonel of,” William nodded, thinking. More importantly still, he knew precisely what role the man played. He was in charge of military intelligence. He was, more or less, the man Catharine Favor now worked for.

If she was indeed working and hadn't decided to come home. To his shame, he realized he hadn't asked her. He had been so enchanted with having seen her again that the thought had entirely slipped his mind.

In front of him now, the officer tensed. “Yes, sir.”

“I'll be there tomorrow,” William nodded. “I thank you for coming all this way to bring that message. Can we offer you refreshment?”

“No, sir. Thank you, sir. I'd best be on my way.”

“Good day, Lieutenant.”

“Good day, sir.”

When the younger man had gone, William stayed where he was, in the downstairs hallway, thinking hard. His mind raced. What was this about? He himself took orders from Wallace, the commander of the regiment in which William was lieutenant-colonel. He had a great deal of respect for the man. But what, now that he was here in England, did he want to see William for?

“I don't understand any of this.”

He sighed. He spent the whole day worrying about it and went to bed early.

It was three o' clock in the afternoon by the time he reached the village the next day, a golden autumn afternoon. He sighed. He would have enjoyed the ride, if not for this vague, uneasy feeling that there was something wrong.

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