Total pages in book: 103
Estimated words: 94964 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 475(@200wpm)___ 380(@250wpm)___ 317(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 94964 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 475(@200wpm)___ 380(@250wpm)___ 317(@300wpm)
* * *
Emily’s eyes narrowed. “Lord Hemsworth will pay for that.”
* * *
Janice smiled. “Yes. He will.”
* * *
Anne sighed. “I’ll just go and tell father then. I’ll be back soon.” She stepped out of the room and shut the door behind her.
* * *
Janice looked to Emily. “I suppose I should go down and speak to them as well. Poor Arthur looked so worried.”
* * *
“Food first, and then you can go and do whatever you like.”
* * *
Janice nodded. “I am rather hungry.”
* * *
Emily nodded. “Your beau can wait. Eat up, dear sister.”
CHAPTER 36
Arthur arrived home to find that the house was dark and most of the household had gone to bed. A footman was waiting to light his way to his room and Arthur followed him tiredly.
* * *
He didn’t know if he would be able to sleep. So much had happened and there was a lot to think about. He really hoped that Janice would be able to provide him with a clue as to who had abducted her and what they wanted from him. He would be only too happy to give it, if they left her alone forever. He realized now, the depth of his lapse in judgment.
* * *
Generating a bad name for oneself was not only foolish; it was also dangerous to one’s loved ones. Arthur had gotten too used to being alone. He had not thought that the blowback would affect anyone aside from himself.
* * *
So foolhardy of me.
* * *
He reached for the bell and rang it to summon a footman. It wasn’t long until he was knocking at the door.
* * *
“Come in,” Arthur called.
* * *
The footman stuck his head in the door. “You called, Your Grace?”
* * *
“Yes, I did. Might I get some hot water? I need a bath.”
* * *
“Right away, Your Grace.” He disappeared, closing the door behind him. Arthur sighed, leaning back against the chair and staring off into space. He could not wait for morning so he could find out just what Janice knew.
“His Grace has left?” Janice asked, her mouth turning down in disappointment.
* * *
“I’m afraid so. He was concerned for his mother’s safety and thought they might come for her next. He said he’d be back in the morning to speak to you.” Her father rubbed her arm reassuringly.
* * *
“Oh. Well, I suppose he had to then.”
* * *
“He did. He was most reluctant to leave without a word.”
* * *
Janice sighed and sat down on the sofa. Her father, brother, and uncle did the same. They all stared at her expectantly. “Can you tell us exactly what happened dear?” Lord Benjamin asked.
* * *
“Yes and no. I do not quite recall how I came to be kidnapped. I only remember waking up in an empty croft, tied to a pole.”
* * *
Her relatives made concerned noises, frowning as they looked at each other.
* * *
“I’m quite alright. No physical harm has befallen me. I was affrighted, so much so especially as it grew dark and a rat began gnawing on my slipper!”
* * *
Lord Benjamin moved to her side, squeezing her hand. “That must have been awful for you. I know how much you hate the disgusting vermin.”
* * *
“I do. And it was.” She laid her head on her father’s neck. “But before that, I had a visitor. Lord Hemsworth!”
* * *
Again, there was an exclamation of surprise from all three men.
* * *
“Yes, I was shocked as well. I could not understand it. But he said that His Grace owed them, and that he would repay his debts or else.”
* * *
“Did he mention who the others were?” Keith asked.
* * *
Janice shook her head. “No, he didn’t. But I don’t even think he was the mastermind. He might well have been a pawn.”
* * *
“Well, the duke will certainly know more if he owes them a debt, he would know who them is,” Frederick said.
* * *
“I suppose so,” Janice agreed softly. The whole thing filled her with trepidation on Arthur’s behalf. Whatever he owed those men, she hoped he had the wherewithal to pay it.
* * *
“Enough of that now.” Emily swept into the room, taking over, “Let’s get our girl some food and then tuck her into bed. Tomorrow will be soon enough to solve all mysteries.”
* * *
“Yes, I suppose so.” She sighed inwardly, swallowing her disappointment. She’d really been looking forward to seeing Arthur tonight. She took such comfort from his presence and she needed that feeling tonight.
* * *
Oh well… she shrugged inwardly. She had no choice but to wait until the morning after all. She tried to smile as she followed her sister to the dining hall. She did need to have a proper meal. It had been an entire day and she’d hardly eaten a thing. Still, it was hard to hide the downward shift in her mood.