Read Online The Secret of Castlegate Manor by Karen Cogan - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Karen Cogan
Ads: Link
lingering presence allows us to become the target of another attempt."
Caroline cogitated upon the fact that this was the second time they had been a target. She felt certain now that the shot fired during their first riding expedition had been directed at them.
Once inside, the ladies began to speculate. "Do you still believe Lord Humphrey is behind the mischief that is befalling us?" Lavenia asked Caroline.
"Perhaps not directly. However, I do believe he has had a hand in our misfortunes."
"I wonder who fired the shot." Lavenia still looked pale with worry.
"Someone who knew we had gone to Bath and would be returning along this road," Caroline answered.
Lady Aberly fidgeted with her handkerchief. "Again, you young ladies are making too much of the Viscount's careless words. Our assailant was undoubtedly a highwaymen."
Caroline contained her inner thoughts regarding what she regarded as an errant opinion. Nonetheless, she remained convinced their assailant was someone who was aware of their whereabouts, someone from the estate.
When they arrived at the estate, the ladies retired to their rooms with the assurance that Geoffrey would attend to the coachman. A long rest and time to think did not change Caroline's opinion as to who lay behind the unnerving deeds. She had believed Lord Humphrey meant only to frighten her, without the intent of harming anyone. With the attack on their coachman, she wondered to what length he might go to assure her compliance.
Unable to sleep, she finally arose and retired to the parlour to find Geoffrey speaking to Lady Aberly. "I have put a poultice on the arm and expect that it shall heal nicely. While he is in recovery, I shall undertake to assist you, my lady, on any errands which need attending."
At Caroline's unobtrusive appearance, Geoffrey found his concentration sorely tested. He longed to stay to tea and chat with her in a cozy manner, to see her blush becomingly under his admiring gaze. Yet he knew this was impossible. Considering his position as a groom, it was surely his imagination which had caused him to believe that she had sought his company.
"It is good of you to bring me this report. Geoffrey, is it?" asked Lady Aberly.
"Yes, my lady."
"I do not believe we shall be traveling again before the ball."
She dismissed Geoffrey and Caroline felt the curious racing of her pulse begin to slow.
Edwards brought a pot of tea and a tray of biscuits and tiny sweet cakes. He poured the tea with quiet efficiency, the trace of a worried frown showing on his usually inscrutable features.
Lavenia joined them for tea, still looking pale.
"I do not believe you have recovered from the shock. I must confess I do not believe my own poor heart could stand another such adventure," said Lady Aberly.
Lavenia managed a wan smile. "To think I used to think our country life dull and I longed to live in the city. I feared our Caroline would languish from boredom after the excitement of London. Of course this was not the excitement which one would enjoy."
"I assure you I have been quite enjoying my stay in spite of these difficulties which in no way reflect upon your hospitality," Caroline assured her.
Lavenia smiled. "I shall be satisfied to turn our attention back to the ball. When our dresses arrive all our preparations shall be in place."
The dresses arrived only three days later to the delight of Lady Aberly who found Caroline sitting in the rose garden with a book she had chosen on the day after Lord Humphrey's visit to the library.
"My dear, you must come see the dresses. They have just come by courier from Madame Marian and she has quite outdone herself."
Caroline followed Lady Aberly upstairs to the sitting room where Lavenia looked a treat in a pale turquoise silk. She held out Caroline's creamy creation of rose silk. "You must try it on. I know you will be pleased."
Caroline took the dress to her room, barely able to stand still while Maggie slipped the soft fabric over her
Caroline cogitated upon the fact that this was the second time they had been a target. She felt certain now that the shot fired during their first riding expedition had been directed at them.
Once inside, the ladies began to speculate. "Do you still believe Lord Humphrey is behind the mischief that is befalling us?" Lavenia asked Caroline.
"Perhaps not directly. However, I do believe he has had a hand in our misfortunes."
"I wonder who fired the shot." Lavenia still looked pale with worry.
"Someone who knew we had gone to Bath and would be returning along this road," Caroline answered.
Lady Aberly fidgeted with her handkerchief. "Again, you young ladies are making too much of the Viscount's careless words. Our assailant was undoubtedly a highwaymen."
Caroline contained her inner thoughts regarding what she regarded as an errant opinion. Nonetheless, she remained convinced their assailant was someone who was aware of their whereabouts, someone from the estate.
When they arrived at the estate, the ladies retired to their rooms with the assurance that Geoffrey would attend to the coachman. A long rest and time to think did not change Caroline's opinion as to who lay behind the unnerving deeds. She had believed Lord Humphrey meant only to frighten her, without the intent of harming anyone. With the attack on their coachman, she wondered to what length he might go to assure her compliance.
Unable to sleep, she finally arose and retired to the parlour to find Geoffrey speaking to Lady Aberly. "I have put a poultice on the arm and expect that it shall heal nicely. While he is in recovery, I shall undertake to assist you, my lady, on any errands which need attending."
At Caroline's unobtrusive appearance, Geoffrey found his concentration sorely tested. He longed to stay to tea and chat with her in a cozy manner, to see her blush becomingly under his admiring gaze. Yet he knew this was impossible. Considering his position as a groom, it was surely his imagination which had caused him to believe that she had sought his company.
"It is good of you to bring me this report. Geoffrey, is it?" asked Lady Aberly.
"Yes, my lady."
"I do not believe we shall be traveling again before the ball."
She dismissed Geoffrey and Caroline felt the curious racing of her pulse begin to slow.
Edwards brought a pot of tea and a tray of biscuits and tiny sweet cakes. He poured the tea with quiet efficiency, the trace of a worried frown showing on his usually inscrutable features.
Lavenia joined them for tea, still looking pale.
"I do not believe you have recovered from the shock. I must confess I do not believe my own poor heart could stand another such adventure," said Lady Aberly.
Lavenia managed a wan smile. "To think I used to think our country life dull and I longed to live in the city. I feared our Caroline would languish from boredom after the excitement of London. Of course this was not the excitement which one would enjoy."
"I assure you I have been quite enjoying my stay in spite of these difficulties which in no way reflect upon your hospitality," Caroline assured her.
Lavenia smiled. "I shall be satisfied to turn our attention back to the ball. When our dresses arrive all our preparations shall be in place."
The dresses arrived only three days later to the delight of Lady Aberly who found Caroline sitting in the rose garden with a book she had chosen on the day after Lord Humphrey's visit to the library.
"My dear, you must come see the dresses. They have just come by courier from Madame Marian and she has quite outdone herself."
Caroline followed Lady Aberly upstairs to the sitting room where Lavenia looked a treat in a pale turquoise silk. She held out Caroline's creamy creation of rose silk. "You must try it on. I know you will be pleased."
Caroline took the dress to her room, barely able to stand still while Maggie slipped the soft fabric over her
Similar Books
