Moonstone Conspiracy by Carter Elizabeth Ellen

Author:Carter, Elizabeth Ellen
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Business Communications Management
Published: 2018-01-18T16:00:00+00:00

PART TWO

Chapter Twenty

“What do you mean, you don’t know where he is?” Jane nudged her horse to keep up with Abigail. “First Dauncey and now Ridgeway?”

Abigail refused to answer, or even acknowledge the question.

She had hoped going for a ride would put her in a better mood. All morning she had been signing contract after contract. The remains of the Canalissy’s unencumbered estate, the release of her savings, the payment of three thousand pounds in gold—each one increased her wealth substantially; each one made her feel more miserable and alone.

Abigail nodded to a set of acquaintances in the park and urged her horse into a trot to put some distance between her and Jane with her troublesome questions.

Sadly, the woman would not be put off.

“I have it!” she gasped, catching up. “You have another lover!”

“Oh, stop being a perfect ninny!” snapped Abigail, heaping scorn. “What do you think I am? Some kind of satyress with a new lover every week?”

Perhaps she should count to ten? Abigail tried the trick and found it mildly diverting. At least she could talk to Jane afterwards without losing her temper.

“But you two seemed so well suited,” Jane complained. “Now you say it’s been more than a month without a word from him? Would you like Thomas to write to Daniel’s brother?”

“No, I would not!”

Abigail wouldn’t tell Jane she had already written to Sir Percy, politely seeking an address for Daniel or, failing that, if he would be so kind as to forward on her best regards.

For someone who was once so assiduous about writing, Aunt Druscilla was being rather elusive, so Abigail told her oft-rehearsed story, hoping she would be the one convinced by it.

“Not that is any of your business,” she went on, “but it is hardly worth continuing an affair with someone only to break it off when I leave for Naples in the New Year.”

“Oh.” Jane’s expression was downcast. “I didn’t think of that…but still, imagine the legacy of leaving a lot of heartbroken swains in your wake.”

Enough was enough! Abigail pulled her horse to a stop.

“Don’t you have something better to do?”

Jane looked perplexed. “Do?”

Abigail let out a frustrated scream and slapped the reins twice. Her horse responded immediately with a canter. Abigail was a much better horsewoman than her friend and outpaced her easily, ignoring the fading cries to slow down.

Soon, Abigail was out of the park and its well-kept gardens and into the meadows beyond. She allowed the mare its head and it galloped freely, approaching a low stone wall at speed. The horse cleared it beautifully and continued to gallop without missing a stride. The exhilaration of it was wonderful. Abigail laughed for the first time in weeks. Gales of laughter convulsed through her before ending in hiccoughing sobs.

She recalled Daniel’s words. “I want our parting to be without regret.”

She reined in her horse to a walk just outside the field where the Bonfire Night revelry had taken place. A large scorched circle dominated the field. In one corner, a cluster of men had largely dismantled the tent.

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