The Mystery of Her by Patricia Catacalos

Author:Patricia Catacalos
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: thriller, mystery suspense, mystery detective, romance historical, victorian crime mysteries, romance 1880s, mystery 19th century
Publisher: Patricia Catacalos

Chapter Nineteen

Sunday, September 16th

Zachery slowly climbed the stairs to the second landing and turned right, intending to sit on the cushioned armchair he had instructed two burly servants, days earlier, to place next to Kiera’s bedchamber door. He had sat there over the past three days, nigh onto twelve hours daily, from eight in the morning to eight at night, working on ledgers and reading the daily broadsheets, sitting watch and monitoring those who entered Kiera’s room. At eight in the evening he would return to his residence to eat and freshen up. But would return by nine to basically sleep in the chair throughout the night, rising at seven to return home to break his fast, bathe and change before returning to his post and repeating the ritual.

Kiera had spent the last three days abed, resting as Dr. Wells had ordered. Zachery had not ventured into the room to visit, relying only on the reports he received from Kiera’s personal maid and Zachery’s own physician who visited twice daily at Zachery’s insistence.

And based on those reports, Kiera was quickly recuperating. But he had thought it best not to visit and tire her, serving as her silent protector outside her bedchamber door. He strongly felt she needed her privacy and when ready, she would summon him.

He walked down the carpeted hallway in the direction of his appointed chair, with head bent and eyes cast downward, carrying a book he had procured from his library to read and while away the hours. As he neared the chair, he lifted his eyes to spy a grinning woman with a dimpled smile casually sitting upon his chair.

“Kiera…”

To Zachery’s observing eyes, Kiera looked radiantly healthy and he had the impulse to kiss that impish grin off her face.

“Hello, Zachery. Or should I address you as my ‘Protector’. I am told that you have sat in this very chair for hours on end, monitoring who could enter my bedchamber, and even sleeping here at night.”

The corner of Zachery’s mouth lifted upward into a crooked grin. “I appreciate the presence of police officers at your front door but…” He shrugged. “I much prefer sitting watch myself to ensure that you are safe.” He cocked his head, mentally noting that she was fully dressed in a brown day dress, as he observed, “Should you not be in bed, resting?”

“Drat and dragons! I am tired of resting. I need to be up and about.” As if to demonstrate her point, she slowly and achingly rose to her feet with one hand gripping an arm of the chair to balance her precarious stance and the other hand cradling her injured side. Her earlier smile was replaced by a scowl as she noticed concern on Zachery’s face. “And I do not wish for you to belabor the point. I am desperately in need of fresh air and would like to be escorted for a leisurely morning stroll.”

Zachery’s reply was interrupted by loud, incessant knocking at the front portal. Both he

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