Elizabeth and the Major by Collum Lynn

Author:Collum, Lynn
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2014-02-10T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eight

Julia tied the ribbon to her bonnet as she dashed out the door in her quest to find the major. She crossed the moat and strode briskly to the Border Walk. Entering the plant-lined corridor, she paid little heed to the blue delphiniums, yellow achillea, and purple mallows nestled against the large bordering yew hedges. Her only interest was in finding Major Shelton.

Hurrying down the path, she could see the sparkle of the river at the end of the long Walk. Minutes later she ran the soldier to ground some ways up the rock-lined stream.

Roderick, troubled by his encounter with Elizabeth, had continued to walk attempting to justify his behavior in the Enclosed Garden. Had he been wrong about her? The outraged look on the lady’s face as she tried to defend herself ripped at his confidence. Pondering the accuracy of his accusations, he looked up to see Miss Powers coming along the river bank towards him, an intent look upon her face.

“Major Shelton, I have been searching for you.”

“Good day, Miss Powers. Have you come to cut out my tongue for accusing Miss Fields of infamous conduct?” Guilt and doubt about the scene in the Enclosed Garden caused him to make light of the matter.

“I have not, but I warn you to beware of Lizzie. She is very handy with a blade, for her eldest brother taught her to fence.” Julia spoke in a teasing tone for nothing got one’s back up more than being told they’d made a mistake.

“Miss Fields has spent a lifetime engaged in unconventional behavior, yet she is outraged that I accuse her of such.” Roderick shook his head in puzzlement and looked out over the water.

“Knowing Lizzie these many years, I can assure you that she might very likely have conceived such a plot, but never against an innocent like your sister. Besides, I have reason to know she is blameless of this particular trick, for she arrived in my rooms before eleven last evening and did not leave until well past midnight.” Julia didn’t mention that much of their conversation had centered on this man while her friend attempted to explain away her fascination.

“Are you certain it was not Miss Fields under that sheet, or do you merely wish to protect a much beloved friend?” Roderick’s stomach tightened into a knot as he realized the extent of his mistake, for even as he questioned Miss Powers, he knew her to be a lady of integrity.

“I am certain Elizabeth Fields was not your ghost.” The lady gazed at him with compassion on her face.

“Then, I made a dreadful mistake.” Roderick turned his back on Miss Powers and walked to the edge of the river, while the full import of his crime weighed on his shoulder. But even as he regretted his rash attack on Miss Fields, the question of who did make the nocturnal visit to his sister demanded an answer.

He looked back at Miss Powers ruefully. “I hope you understand how I came to make such a grievous error, for I am certain that the `ghost’ was a woman.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.