The Mandeville Secret: An absolutely gripping and emotional historical page-turner (A Mandeville Mystery Book 2) by Callie Langridge

Author:Callie Langridge [Langridge , Callie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Storm Publishing
Published: 2023-09-17T16:00:00+00:00

TWENTY-NINE

Edward jumped to his feet. ‘What in hell’s…’

The little figure from the doorway ran towards the women. Nell sank to her knees and took Tommy in her arms. She heard adult voices about them while she clung to Tommy, his little body warm through his cotton pyjamas.

‘How very much he loves you. He didn’t mean to alarm you,’ he whispered in her ear, his face resting on her shoulder.

Nell felt an attempt to pull Tommy away, but he clung to her.

‘Listen to this house,’ Tommy said urgently. ‘It wants to help you.’ Again, someone tried to pull him away. Again, Tommy clung to Nell, his arms tight around her neck. ‘He loves you too much to think that you will never be loved again.’

Nell relinquished her hold on Tommy. She clutched her mouth to hold in a cry and Tommy was snatched from her. Alice’s face swam into Nell’s view. She was kneeling on the floor beside her. She took hold of Nell’s arms.

‘Nell,’ Alice said. ‘Nell, are you all right? Nell, you’re shaking.’

Nell stared ahead. Rain still lashed at the windows and a rumble of thunder sounded in the distance. She could hear Charlotte talking to her nephew. Tommy was telling her he had no idea why he was in the room. The last thing he remembered was being asleep in bed.

‘He has started walking in his sleep recently,’ Alice said. And then more quietly, ‘If he has shocked you, Nell, I am sorry. Has he said things…? About—’

Before Alice could finish, another person appeared in the doorway. Bertie raced across the room to Alice. He was soaking, and water pooled on the floor about him. He tried to talk to Alice quietly, but they were close enough for Nell to hear.

‘I was at my grandmother’s cottage,’ he said. ‘I felt… Has Tommy…? Something’s happening, isn’t it? I should have been here with him. To guide him.’

Alice helped Nell to stand before releasing her to put her hand to Bertie’s cheek. ‘It’s not your fault. Let’s talk about this away from here.’ Alice smiled at him. ‘Okay?’

Bertie nodded.

The electric lights came on. Nell blinked. Paul approached her. He placed his palm on her forehead and bobbed his head, trying to make her focus on his eyes.

‘Is Miss Potter all right?’ Wilco asked. ‘I didn’t mean for anyone to take a turn.’

‘We know that,’ Edward said. ‘We know you didn’t mean for this to happen.’

‘I think Nell’s tired,’ Paul said. And then added quietly, ‘Alice, I think Nell might be in shock. Will you help me take her to her room?’

Nell let herself be guided from the dining room into the hall, Paul on one side of her and Alice on the other.

‘Charlotte,' Alice said, ‘would you arrange a cup of warm milk for Tommy and Bertie? I’ll be back as soon as we’ve taken Nell to her room.’

They crossed the hall, Paul gently holding Nell’s elbow to guide her. ‘Why in hell’s name did Edward let Wilco bring that thing into the house?’ he whispered.

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