The Lady Vanishes by Ava Stone

Author:Ava Stone
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

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Butcher’s bollocks! Quent sloshed through the gardens, more than irritable. His mood was understandable, however. No one could blame him for his temper as he’d been locked up inside Marisdùn with his impossible brother for two straight days.

In all his life, Quent had never seen Braden quite so prickly as he had been the last few days, barking at servants, sulking over each repast, and staring out windows at the dreary weather like a heart broken idiot. Thank God the rain had let up early this morning, because if he had to suffer one more day with Braden in such a state, Quent would be half-tempted to toss his brother outside into the storm, no matter how bad it happened to be, just to be rid of his sour mood.

Miss Eilbeck was certainly in for a delightful life married to Braden. Quent scoffed at the very idea of his brother taking a wife. How the devil had Braden even decided to marry the girl? She was a pleasant sort, of course, and quite comely, but their acquaintance had certainly been brief. If deciding to get married left his brother in such a temperament, Quent was quite certain he never wanted to fall victim to the parson’s noose himself.

It was, however, quite difficult to imagine Braden married. His brother had never seemed inclined to take a wife. He’d avoided the marriage mart, as had Quent, except when escorting their sisters to something that required their presence. He’d never considered courting any girl in either London or in Buckinghamshire. He’d never even given pointed attention to any girl, at least none that Quent was aware of. But now…Now Braden was going to willingly meet Callie Eilbeck at the altar and spend the rest of his days with the girl. It was more than surprising to say the least.

Quent rounded a hedgerow and noticed a flash of gold out of the corner of his eye. A silk dress, he thought. Odd, that. He quickened his pace to the end of the row, turned the corner, and he shook his head. Damn it all. Speaking…Or rather thinking of the devil. Miss Eilbeck was apparently in as big a hurry to see Braden as he was to see her. At least his brother would be in a decent mood for the rest of the day. Everyone would be happy about that. However, she was headed the wrong direction.

“Miss Eilbeck!” Quent called out, but she didn’t seem to hear him as she navigated the row without slowing her pace at all. And she was headed straight for a large hedge! What the devil was wrong with her? Didn’t she see it? “Miss Eilbeck!” he called again, quickening his step in the process.

And then…Quent winced as she disappeared right into the hedge. Or had she? The bushes didn’t so much as flutter and she hadn’t cried out, but she was most definitely not there now. Quent hastened towards the spot where his would-be sister-in-law had just been, but there wasn’t a sign of her anywhere.

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