The Earl’s Inconvenient Houseguest by Virginia Heath

Author:Virginia Heath [Heath, Virginia]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2022-01-10T19:10:32+00:00

Chapter Fourteen

By the time he had realised where she had gone it was too late, and she had been gone a good fifteen minutes before he returned. Despite Archie’s warning for her not to visit the remains of her cottage alone, of course the witch had done so because she was so determined to put on a brave face she would refuse all help because that was the way she was made. He recognised a kindred spirit when he saw one and Sophie was so proud and noble she put him to shame. Rafe had no idea what a dreadful blow it had been when she had first witnessed the devastation, but as he hurried around the bend and saw her stood before it, her posture was entirely defeated and her lovely face bleached of all colour. She looked desolate. Heart-wrenchingly desolate and lost. Her brave face and expressive eyebrows so downcast it physically hurt to witness it.

She sensed his approach and briskly made herself busy by bending to rifle through the rubble.

‘You are supposed to be resting.’ She avoided his gaze as she spoke. ‘And I know for a fact you have had a very eventful morning thanks to Socrates.’

‘You are supposed to be resting too, madam.’

‘I was ordered to have a good night’s sleep and I have.’

Rafe stopped on the periphery of what had once been the cottage, ridiculous and innate good manners dictating that he should not enter her home until invited. ‘I did not want you to see this alone.’

‘I saw it the night it collapsed in a ball of flames, so this is hardly a shock.’ She bent to move a big chunk of plaster from the ground so she could investigate beneath rather than glance at him.

‘I am so sorry for what happened. If you had told me about your chimney, I would have had it fixed. You have to know that, Sophie. I would never have...’ She stayed him with a raised palm but still refused to meet his eyes.

‘The state of the chimney was hardly your fault. Your predecessor though...well, that is another story. But I dare say he is already burning in hell for his shocking neglect of his tenants and the extortionate rent he charged them.’

‘A small consolation and an eternity of roasting in brimstone hardly seems punishment enough for this.’ He stared out at the remains and wished he knew how to fix it for her. How to make amends. Even if he rebuilt it, it would never be the same. The soul of the cottage was gone along with all its memories and sentimental contents. Things that not even the Almighty could replace. ‘His neglect was criminal.’

‘It was.’ She stood to dust off her hands, then rested them on her hips while she surveyed the scene in her customary matter-of-fact manner. ‘Once I am done here, I might wander past the churchyard and spit on his grave.’

‘I shall join you.’ His long-distant second cousin had a lot to answer for.

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