The Taming of Lady Kate by G.G. Vandagriff

Author:G.G. Vandagriff
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Published: 2012-07-29T21:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

A WAITING GAME

After watching Jack gallop away into what very well could be life-threatening danger, Kate initially felt bereft. Just moments before, she had been surrounded by delicious warmth on his lap. She could still feel his kisses in her hair, on her face, and the new thrill of the deep kisses on her lips. Her body still tingled from the feel of his hands roaming over it.

The corpse in the taproom of the inn ejected every wonderful sensation into oblivion, bringing the reality of life and death crashing down on her. Would she ever see Jack again? The idea that he might lie somewhere dead and unknown, that she might not even know what had become of him was so dreadful that her spirits plunged.

Though their portmanteaux had been brought to the lovely room that Jack had reserved in the inn, she could not even summon the energy to take off her wedding dress. Dimly, she realized that the room was all white—walls, counterpane, rugs, furniture. The only color was the royal blue of the pillows on the bed.

She wondered idly how Jack was managing without his Hessian riding boots. Opening his portmanteau on a whim, she removed his boots, wrapped in soft flannel and held one on her lap, clasped in her arms. Tears came and streamed down her cheeks, still flushed from their heavy kissing. Then she threw herself down full length on the bed and gave way to her wretchedness.

There was a knock on the door.

“Yes? Who is it?”

“Mrs. Poole, my lady, the innkeeper’s wife.”

Using the edge of the counterpane to wipe away her tears, she went to the door and opened it.

“Would you be wanting a tray in your room this evening, my lady?” Mrs. Poole asked.

The idea of eating when she was still bilious over the bloody sight of the corpse downstairs was out of the question.

“I do not believe so, Mrs. Poole. Just some hot water for a bath, if you please.”

“Happen after your bath, you could drink some chamomile tea? I know seeing that corp were a nasty shock.”

“Yes. What has been done with the poor man’s remains?”

“Mr. Poole and me was wondering if you knew what we should do. They’s out locked in the shed for the moment.”

Kate thought. What would Jack do?

“I will write a letter directly to the War Office. No doubt, they will send someone. The dead man was their courier.”

“Very good, my lady. There be writing paper in that little desk there. Now I’ll go heat the water for your bath.”

Glad of something to do, Kate went to the desk, removed a sheet of lovely vellum stationery, a quill and some ink.

Dear Mr. Secretary,

I regret to inform you that my husband, Lord Northbrooke, and I arrived at The Angel in Reading to find one of your couriers shot, and the contents of his dispatch case taken. My husband is currently pursuing the perpetrator.

Please advise the innkeeper, Mr. Poole, what you would like done with the courier’s remains.

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