Thorncroft Manor (A Novella) by Nora Covington

Author:Nora Covington
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: thriller and suspense, romance suspense, romance historical, victorian england romance, romance historical romance, victorian romance, romance and mystery, novella series, heroine in distress, novella romance, romance england, cornwall england, romance 1850s, heroine in danger, hero with a secret, heroine strong women
Publisher: Holland & Eyre Press

Secret Door

Caroline found it impossible to fall asleep. Her leg throbbed from pain, and she could not get comfortable. She hated to sleep on her back, but rolling onto her side was out of the question. For a brief moment, she felt like bellowing for Pearson to bring her more alcohol. Truthfully, she needed more laudanum, but Bramwell kept the drug under his watchful eye. In his haste to leave, he had forgotten to give her an evening dose. His constant changing moods were baffling.

Exasperated, she pulled herself up to a sitting position. After leaning over and lighting the lamp by her bedside, she retrieved the book that she had set on the night table. Upon opening it, she grasped the letter that she had placed there earlier. With trepidation, she pulled it from the envelope and opened the folded paper.

My Dearest Rebecca,

Only a few more days and we shall be together. India and its adventures await us.

Always,

Reginald

Caroline squinted at the contents and read it again. Who in the world was Reginald? Her mouth gaped open in complete shock. Could it be possible that Rebecca had planned to leave Bramwell for another man? Did he discover her infidelity and then murder her in a crime of passion? Perhaps her disappearance was not an accident after all. And what of Reginald, what had happened to him?

“Oh, dear God,” she mumbled. Her hands shook as she folded the letter and shoved it back inside the envelope. The rampant thoughts buzzing about her head had increased her heart rate to a loud drum in her ears.

If the thought of murder hadn’t frightened her enough, a creaking sound came from across the room. Slowly, the bookcase began to move. Caroline clutched the covers and froze. Out of the darkness, Bramwell appeared. She flinched and frantically shoved the envelope underneath her body.

“Good Lord, you scared the daylights out of me,” her voice screeched.

“Are you all right? I saw the light underneath and heard noises.”

“You could have told me there was a secret door in this room rather than frightening me unannounced.” Caroline scowled at him and continued to clutch her blanket.

“Perhaps,” he said. His face showed no remorse. “You didn’t answer my question. Is everything all right?”

“Yes, I’m fine,” she snapped. “Except my leg hurts, and I couldn’t sleep.”

Bramwell approached her bed. His unruly hair flowed about his face. He wore an unbuttoned, white linen shirt that exposed his muscular chest. Wrinkled trousers covered his legs down to his bare feet. By his rumpled appearance, he had hurriedly put on his clothes before entering. Of course, Caroline’s thoughts caused her to wonder if he had ever entered this room naked to visit Rebecca. She shuddered at the thought.

He took a few steps in her direction, looked about the room curiously, and then asked. “Do you want some laudanum? It was insensitive of me not to ask before leaving you for the night.”

Caroline hesitated. He appeared concerned, but after reading the contents of the letter underneath her pillow, a cloud of distrust hung above his head.

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.