Mistress Spy by Mingle Pamela

Author:Mingle, Pamela
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: Entangled, Amara, historical, historical romance, romance, spy, mistress, Blackmail, Boss/Employee, Enemies to Lovers, Overcoming Odds, Revenge
Publisher: Entangled Publishing, LLC
Published: 2018-08-26T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Sixteen

When Maddy reached the door, she paused and listened. She heard nothing, except for the rustling of busy mice feet skittering about the undercroft. The raiders might have left a man to stand guard, but she did not think they had. She unlatched the door and pushed it open. The kitchen lay in darkness, silent and empty. Tiptoeing all the way, Maddy headed toward the stairs and ascended as quickly as she was able in her weakened state. She had to retrieve her dirk, which she’d forgotten in her haste to dress.

Back downstairs, she debated whether to exit through the kitchen door leading outside and walk around to the vicarage, or go the usual way, through the long expanse of Dacre Hall. It was more likely that men would be posted outside, so she chose the usual route. Maddy was about halfway down the length of the hall when the door creaked open. A solitary figure carrying a candle was moving toward her, and it was too late to hide.

She would have to brazen it out, as she’d once done with Musgrave. She had her dirk for protection. Breathe, Maddy. Be calm.

“Madeleine, is that you? Oh, you gave me a fright, looming out of the dark like that! I’ve come to see if you were safe.”

Lady Dacre. She looked witchlike with the candle casting its eerie light under her chin.

“I-I heard noises, saw men running around with torches out my window. Is it a raid?”

“Yes, they’ve gotten away with some livestock. The men have ridden after them. You should not be out of your sickbed, my dear.”

The first thought that struck Maddy was how calm the lady was. And the second: she was lying. Her purpose was to ensure Maddy remained in her chamber. The men who’d been searching must have told her she wasn’t in her bed. For now, she’d have to do as her mistress bade her.

“No, of course I should not, but I was frightened. I will return to my chamber then, unless—”

“I’ll accompany you to your room. You are still weak.” Lady Dacre gripped her arm.

“That’s not necessary, my lady. I am perfectly able—”

“Nonsense, I’ll see you safely back to your bed.”

Maddy decided not to protest, but to appear helpless and grateful for the assistance. “Thank you, madam. ’Tis true, I do not have my strength back yet.” Maddy entered the chamber first, hoping the scabbard strapped about her waist wasn’t noticeable in the near-dark. Useless emerged from behind the wardrobe, and while Lady Dacre fussed over the dog, Maddy removed the sheath and shoved it under the bed coverings.

The woman did not depart until she’d helped Maddy undress and tucked the coverlet under her chin. “Do you need anything before I leave you?”

“Oh, no. Pray return to your own bed.”

Then she was gone. Maddy lay there, counting. When she reached two hundred, she deemed it safe to dress and set out for the vicarage once again. Earlier, a welcome surge of strength had possessed her.

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