Once Before (The Hero Next Door Series Book 3) by King Rebecca

Author:King, Rebecca [King, Rebecca]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Published: 2020-05-01T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER ELEVEN

Daniel was relieved when he was finally able to tap on the window of the study at Fenley Lodge three times. He waited for a moment and then tapped again. Having already done a tour of the perimeter of the property he knew that nobody was lurking in the bushes, but he still got the feeling that someone was watching. Thankfully, Ronan heard him and after one cursory look out of the window, unlocked the French doors.

‘Everything all right?’ Daniel asked as he stepped into the welcoming warmth of the cosy home.

Ronan nodded. ‘The oaf has returned several times, the last time being this evening, but he keeps being sent on his way by Mildred. He has threatened to return in the morning.’ As he spoke, Ronan studied the large blue bruise on Daniel’s head. ‘Hurt, did it?’

‘It stung a bit. I was caught by surprise,’ Daniel murmured with alacrity.

Ronan shook his head. ‘You need to be here where it is safe.’ He patted his full stomach. ‘Nice meat pie, as much ale as a woman can offer; I could get used to living here.’

Daniel grinned. ‘It’s my turn now, although I doubt that a night patrol is going to have much in the way of food and provisions offered.’ He was proven wrong moments later when he walked into the kitchen to find Tabitha putting away the dinner pots with her aunt.

‘Good evening,’ he murmured with a grin only to be rewarded with a look of such delight from Tabitha that he blinked and struggled to absorb the brilliance of it.

Tabitha’s eyes sparkled as her face lit up; her lips curved upwards to reveal cheeky dimples bracketing flashing white teeth. All Daniel could do was stare at her and wonder why it had taken him so long to return.

Tabitha crossed the room to him before she even realised that she had moved. Once before him, she hesitated and struggled to decide what to do next. Hugging him, which she wanted to do, wasn’t possible because of Mildred. Nor could she press a loving kiss to his cheek.

‘Have you eaten?’ she asked for want of something to say.

Daniel’s stomach rumbled loudly making Tabitha grin even more.

‘We have some wonderful beef pie,’ Mildred informed him, carefully ignoring the way the young couple were staring at each other as if there was nobody else in the room. ‘Tabitha made it this afternoon. Would you care to try some?’

‘I would love to,’ Daniel replied, stepping aside to let Ronan enter the room.

‘All has been quiet, but Lynchgate’s thug has wandered past the house a couple of times. I don’t doubt that he is sizing up the area, trying to decide which way into the house is the best,’ Ronan informed him.

Daniel nodded, his handsome features turning grim. ‘I will be on watch, so they won’t get in.’ He nodded at the box on the table. ‘Found anything yet?’

Tabitha threw him a rueful look. ‘I didn’t realise I had gathered so many papers.

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