Walls of Ash by Amber Newberry

Author:Amber Newberry
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Tags: mystery, romantic mystery, romance historical, gothic fiction, gothic book series, cozy mystery, historical, gothic romance, gothic books, romance 1820s, gothic romance novels

CHAPTER 14

The next morning I was feeling much better. I slept well and Bernadine’s concoction did the trick, there was almost no headache. I was mystified. My embarrassment over the situation was hilarious to Li, and she laughed uproariously when I told her what I said to Julian as he carried me up the stairs to my room the night before.

“Tam! You are lucky he didn’t take your acceptance seriously since you are so against marrying the poor man!” She was giggling with me at breakfast. We managed to get up just late enough to miss most of the guests who were preparing to leave Hilbourne.

“I hope you know that I will not let you get out of coming to India with me,” she said and seemed truly concerned that I would not join her.

“I would follow you to the ends of the earth, dear friend.” I said, smiling, but she looked distraught.

“What is it, Li?”

“I am afraid. I’ve never been so far away, and it sounds like such a dangerous place. The people will be so different. A man at the party last night talked of them as uncivilized!” she spoke seriously. Li was really afraid of going to India.

“I don’t think an uncivilized people could develop a place as Julian has described, dear,” I said comfortingly.

“He even says that the people are pleasant and fascinating.” She gave me a slight smile, but I could see that she was still worried.

“I don’t plan to bring Dolly, but you will bring Bernadine and Fleur? Do you think that they would mind double duty?” Dolly was Li’s maid, who she took a disliking to right away. I said, ‘of course.’

“Leo says that the housekeeper here spent many years managing the plantation house, perhaps if I talk to her about it she might ease my mind,” Li conjectured.

“I think that is a good idea.” I changed the subject.

“I plan to go and see someone who lives near town sometime before the week is out. Would you care to come along?”

“Anything to get out of another dress fitting. Celia is positively running me ragged! I long for my nightdress all day long!” she joked. She was so good at making light even when she was worried. I was glad that I would be getting away from Hilbourne, and that I would be with her.

* * *

Leo offered to drive us into town in a jaunting car. Hilbourne was far enough away that we would all have to stay a night at the inn, and I was looking forward to being away from the Abbey. I had not gone into the library since Eckhardt’s death and even my room alarmed me late at night, to the point that I was considering moving to a different one.

Li told Celia she needed some things from the shops in town, and she agreed that the time away might be good for us both, though she would not be able to come along. Leo had things to do in the village, as well, so he would not be with us for most of our stay.

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