The Hellion's Heart (The Ladies’ Essential Guide to the Art of Seduction Book 4) by Claire Delacroix

Author:Claire Delacroix [Delacroix, Claire]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Deborah A. Cooke
Published: 2024-07-22T00:00:00+00:00

First thing that next morning, Joshua rode toward the ruins of the medieval keep with a small party of men. If someone had taken up occupation there, he should see them routed in the duke’s absence. He was accompanied by half a dozen men from Addersley Manor and they rode in silence down the road and past Bramble Cottage.

He did not so much as glance toward that structure.

They found no one in the ruins, though there were indications that someone had sheltered there in the cellar. There had been a fire kindled near the door recently, given the ashes left behind. Joshua found some refuse, perhaps the remains of a meal, tossed in a corner of the cellar. It had not decomposed or been eaten by wild creatures, hinting that it had not been there long. There were boot prints in the dirt, and he guessed that it had been one man alone.

One of the men with him spied boot prints dried in the mud. It had not rained for several days, but the prints in the dirt hinted that the visitor had been here after the mud had dried. He sent his men into the woods surrounding the ruin but they found little more.

There was no one to rout. It was not possible for him to keep a watch upon the place from the distance of Addersley Manor and the ruins were not his to monitor.

He could only hope that the man, whoever he was, did not become more bold and trouble those at Bramble Cottage. It was the closest residence, a fact that Joshua heartily disliked. Perhaps Miss Emerson would remain inside at night, showing some uncharacteristic temperance.

He shook his head at the very notion. At least she could not venture far with her injured ankle.

Joshua summoned his men and turned toward home, resolving to tell the duke of this as soon as that man returned.

In the meantime, it was his obligation to warn the residents of Bramble Cottage. He would keep his visit brief—even though his anticipation rose with every step closer.

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