The Counterfeit Heiress by Tasha Alexander

Author:Tasha Alexander [Alexander, Tasha]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781250024688
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Estella

xi

Upon his return, her captor had called to her through the open trapdoor, but Estella remained perfectly still. She did not want to disturb her carefully choreographed pose as living effigy. A problem, he had said. Her lips quivered.

“Are you awake down there?” he called.

She heard his boots on the rungs of the ladder and then on the floor.

“Mademoiselle! Are you unwell?”

This brought her to her feet and in an instant the dread and the fear and the ache of pain in her chest were replaced by simple anger. “Unwell? You have the audacity to inquire after my well-being when you have locked me up in a prison and left me to die? I suppose you have come to do your worst, and I, sir, am ready to face the end.”

“You cannot—I—surely—did you think?” He sputtered on like this incoherently for some time and gradually Estella came to accept that he had no immediate plans to kill her. “The bank would not cash the cheque. Having only just had one submitted for an identical amount against your late father’s account raised their suspicions. They will not release the funds until you respond confirming the transaction. They have sent a letter to your house.”

“A letter I shall never receive.”

“I thought, perhaps, you could write a reply nonetheless.” He produced a sheet of paper and an envelope, and laid them both on the slab along with a pen and ink. “I am so very sorry, mademoiselle, but they assured me that once they had your authorization in hand, they would honor the cheque. Of course, today is Friday, so that cannot be until Monday at the earliest.”

“Monday?”

“It is dreadful, I know, and I cannot begin to apologize for the additional delay. In an attempt to make things more comfortable for you, I have procured further supplies.” He opened the large bundle he had dropped through the trapdoor onto the floor. Inside were two rather attractive Oriental carpets made from the softest wool, a pillow, blankets, and a featherbed. He also had with him two additional lamps, a picnic basket full of culinary delights—more wine, four different cheeses, pâté, baguettes, brioche, pain au chocolat, and a raspberry tart—as well as another soft package that he handed to her. “You will want to open that yourself.”

She tore the paper and found a flannel facecloth, soap, a linen nightgown, and an assortment of undergarments, stockings, and shirtwaists. “The shopgirl assured me this was what you would require. I told her my sister was visiting and that her trunks had gone missing at the station. There is more.” He disappeared up the ladder and returned with two large wooden buckets, one full of water, the other empty. “I thought you could use these to wash.”

“Thank you.” Estella could hardly believe she had spoken the words. What thanks did this wretched man deserve? He had kidnapped her! She should never thank him for managing to provide her with these basic supplies. The very idea outraged her.

“I know

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.