The Scandalous Bride (A Novella) by Collum Lynn

Author:Collum, Lynn
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2014-05-21T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Four

Montmoorland's vast size and greatly reduced staff transpired to leave Lord Lamont stranded in his room until almost noon that day. At first he pulled the bell rope to summon a servant, then he remembered it had broken some months earlier and he'd neglected to have it repaired. With determination he went back to the door and hammered on the oaken portal while shouting for Mrs. Jones, but after some thirty minutes with no response he gave up in a considerable rage, his knuckles aching from the abuse.

The window of his bed chamber proved little help as well. Colin waved a handkerchief and shouted as the only gardener still employed trimmed a box tree some distance from the manor, but his lordship's efforts were to no avail. The old man was near seventy and deaf as the stone lions perched on the pillars at the entry gates.

In frustration Colin slumped into a chair and put his mind to the question of who had locked the door and why. His thoughts went at once to the two strangers residing at Montmoorland, but what reason could Miss O'Donnell or her peculiar uncle have to want to keep him a prisoner? Perhaps the race, but that was not to take place for another week. There didn't seem to be anything he could think that would make them engage in such a prank.

Then the memory of his conversation with Nigel in the library two nights hence returned. Had his friend not threatened to lock Colin in until he'd come to his senses? But he did change his mind. He'd told Nigel that using Miss O'Donnell was no longer a part of his plan. So, why would Nigel resorted to such a foolhardy trick?

By the time the small Ormulu clock on the mantelpiece chimed the hour of twelve, Colin was famished. In frustration, he once again marched to the door and began to pound the wood with his closed fist.

Within minutes he heard someone call his name through the thick wood. “Who's there?” Colin shouted.

“`Tis, I, Nigel. What the devil are you about to be making such a racket?”

Colin merely barked, “Unlock this door!”

There was a slight delay then a click sounded and the door opened. Anger now in control of him, Colin barreled through the portal and grabbed his startled friend by the lapels. His momentum took both men all the way across the hall, where Nigel's head banged the opposite wall with a resounding thump.

“What do you mean locking me in my room?” Colin demanded.

Nigel Anson stared at his friend with a hint of fear as he rubbed his head. “Are you all about in the head? I was coming down the hall going to the breakfast parlour and heard your hammering. Came to see what was amiss. Why the blazes would I lock you in your room? Value my chin too much to risk one of your facers.”

Colin could see no guile in his friend's face. Slowly he released his hold on Nigel's coat.

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