My Lord Protector by Bolen Cheryl

Author:Bolen, Cheryl
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, Romance, Historical
Publisher: Dragonblade Publishing, Inc.
Published: 2021-10-12T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Ten

Someone had destroyed her room. The silken bed coverings had been stripped away and thrown on the floor. The Sevres vases upon the mantel now laid on their sides. The drawers on her French writing desk had been flung to the floor, their contents sprayed across the carpet. Even the portrait that hung above the mantel now stood against a wall. The doors of her linen press gaped open, and her clothing heaped on the floor.

Nothing in her chamber remained untouched from the onslaught.

In one agonizing second, she was transported back to that night at Heathergate, the night Mrs. Wyndham had been murdered. Mrs. Wyndham’s rooms had been searched in just such a manner.

This could not be a coincidence. Could it? Her heartbeat roared in her chest. Her hands trembled uncontrollably.

Her first fear was that the culprit—possibly the murderer—was still there. Nothing could have persuaded her to set one foot into that room.

She allowed herself to hope hers was not the only room that had been searched. Perhaps it was merely a jewel thief.

But the fact Lady Harriett had not screamed upon entering her chamber revealed that Caroline’s room most likely was the only one so scrutinized. Which meant the murderer somehow had tracked her here. He must have been looking for Mrs. Wyndham’s journal.

She’d never been more terrified.

Lady Harriett raced from her chamber, and one quick look into Caroline’s bedchamber made any questions unnecessary.

Heavy footsteps pounded up the stairs.

And then Lord Devere was there.

Even though she still was not ready to go into her chamber, she no longer felt such imminent peril.

He looked from her through the open door into her room. “What the bloody hell has happened?”

Caroline knew very well what the bloody hell had happened, but she was not at liberty to say. She shrugged and looked at Lady Harriett. “Your room was untouched?”

“Yes.” Lady Harriett’s brows lowered. “Perhaps the thief mistook your chamber for mine.”

Caroline attempted to gather her composure, though it was impossible to keep the quiver from her voice. “That must explain it. I have nothing of value.”

“Are you sure?” he asked. “You ought to try to determine if anything’s missing.”

She shook her head.

“You’re afraid to go into the chamber?” he asked.

A nod was her only response. It was difficult to keep her tears from gushing.

His lordship stormed into the room, cursing under his breath. “We’ll have the parlor maid put things back to rights for you.”

“Yes, and you can get ready for dinner in my chamber.” Lady Harriett’s gaze went to the crumpled clothing on her companion’s floor. “It’s best if you wear one of my dresses tonight.”

Devere looked under her bed, and when he straightened up, his gaze went to her. “Rest assured, Miss Rutherford, no one is in your chamber. Have no fears about coming in here.”

He met them in the corridor. “And I’m going to speak with the servants.” Anger sharpened his voice. “How could this happen in daylight with a house full of servants?”

She had a very good idea.

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