Vidal's Honor by Sherry Gloag

Author:Sherry Gloag [Gloag, Sherry]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Astraea Press, LLC
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twelve

Two hours later, and more exhausted than Honor ever imagined she could be, Vidal and Juan eased her to the floor of the cave.

Juan hadn’t overstated the cramped space. Thankfully, it was big enough to keep the lashing rain driving off the mountains from penetrating the opening.

“I feel more tumbled than a polished diamond and a lot less shiny.” She hurt everywhere, but acknowledged it could have been so much worse. When encouraged to put her right foot to the ground, she’d swallowed the gasp of pain. Later, with Vidal’s hand beneath her elbow, she’d taken several steps, and offered a feeble smile of reassurance.

“We have put the stores on our own mule and you will ride the new arrival,” Juan stated; one look at his face stopped any protest she might have made. And when they arrived at their destination, he lifted her into his arms and carried her to the rear of the cave, setting her gently on the floor. “Rest now, and…” His voice trailed off and he flapped his hand at his side. “I may have been hard on you, Mrs. Beaumont. I am sorry to say I did wonder whether you had betrayed your husband.”

“What?” Pain shot through her ribs when she sat up straight. “Are you saying— You were going to hand us over to the French.”

As fast as the adrenalin powered her upright, it drained away and she slumped against the wall. “What changed your mind? I am presuming you have changed it?” She strove for derision and heard despair instead.

“I confess it was your brother-in-law’s comments to Phillipe plus the Frenchman’s admission Chiltern is one of his agents and is spreading rumours of your guilt in the hope you will be hanged.”

“Well, I daresay I should be gracious and accept your apology, but I will thank you for one thing.”

“And that is?”

“I have a rough idea of what to expect and how I will be treated when I arrive home.” Fear and bitterness laced her voice. Instead of celebrating a wonderful wedding anniversary with Devlin, she’d face social ostracization at best, and a public hanging at worst.

The memory of Vidal’s change from warm to icy hit her. “And I suppose you discussed your suspicions with Vidal?” When Juan hung his head, she had her answer. “A hard lesson,” she muttered, unaware Vidal had joined Juan.

“What’s a hard lesson?”

Pain, physical and mental swirled inside her, twisting, poking, thrumming and thumping, and for an instant she wondered whether it was worth the bother of trying to reach home. “Ask Juan, but do it somewhere else. I am tired.” She watched the two men exchange glances, nod in her direction, and walk past Consuela and out of the cave.

It was true the cold damp floor of the cave enticed her to lie down, but she had to think and resisted the urge to sleep.

What had Vidal said about Dundas when she asked if he knew the traitor’s identity? “He didn’t tell me.” Well… No... there was more, something about arresting him after Vidal’s departure.

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