The Abandoned Rake by Hendrickson Emily

Author:Hendrickson, Emily [Hendrickson, Emily]
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Tags: Romance
ISBN: 9781610845618
Publisher: Belgrave House/Regency Reads
Published: 2011-07-25T04:00:00+00:00

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Chapter 9

The drive back to Rose Cottage was silent for the most part. Joanna shivered, and not from the cooling mist that drifted and swirled about them in ever-increasing amounts.

“He certainly is a shrewd fellow. How clever of him to lurk about, watching us, then leave the note while we searched for him,” Sir Lucas said sarcastically. It was plain that he was more disgusted in not finding the chap than he was frightened of the threat.

“I doubt he was there when we left,” Joanna said. “Rex did not growl. Of course he might have been downwind, and Rex did not catch his scent.”

“Somehow that is not much comfort,” Sir Lucas said. He fell into a reflective silence.

Any hope of keeping the morning’s results to themselves was dashed when Lord Osborn left his horse with his man, then marched across to meet Miss Staunton, who left the security of the covered entry to greet him, parasol in hand. His lordship was a rotund man, but they both managed to find shelter beneath the broad oiled-silk covering.

“I perceive you have not had a very good morning,” Aunt Caroline declared as she led the way back to the cottage. Her parasol dripped with moisture, but it seemed not to bother her in the least.

“As to that, Miss Staunton,” Lord Osborn said, “I must confess that we did find evidence that one or more persons use that area as a camp of sorts. Remains of a fire, bits and scraps of food—bones and the like. I have no doubt that some farmer is missing a chicken.”

“They might have earned some money to buy one, or perhaps some kind soul gave them a bird,” Aunt Caroline said with hope, while pausing beneath the covered entry to the cottage. She shook out the umbrella, then proceeded to furl it.

“I doubt it.”

“And you,” Aunt Caroline said to Joanna, who had left the gig and reluctantly crossed the stone walk, “I cannot believe you would go with the gentlemen on such a potentially dangerous errand. What have you to say for yourself?”

“I thought perhaps Rex might be of some help. So far he will not obey anyone else but me, so I could not merely send him along. He did growl at one point and we suspect the man was watching us. He left a note in the gig. I fear Sir Lucas is his target.” Joanna turned to survey Sir Lucas with more than a little sympathy. He had handed the gig to his man and hurried through the mist to their sides.

“How difficult to fight an enemy when you cannot see him,” Aunt Caroline observed, turning again to lead the way inside.

“I propose we have a spot of coffee and whatever Mrs. Hawkins can produce,” Joanna said.

“You must, all of you, be chilled to the bone. What a difference from yesterday. ‘Tis like going from summer to fall,” Aunt Caroline observed. She left the trio with a motion for them to enter the sitting room while she pattered off to the kitchen.

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