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)
* * *
He looked at the seal, seeing to his surprise that it was from Lord Hemsworth.
* * *
Dear Duke
* * *
Would you be so kind as to join me for dinner at White’s? It is a matter of some urgency if you can spare the time.
* * *
Best.
* * *
Hemsworth.
* * *
Arthur blinked at the note in some surprise. He and Lord Hemsworth were not what one might call friends. All they had in common was the London townhouse. He heaved a breath, wondering if he should go. He did not want to leave his mother alone.
* * *
He quickly wrote a reply, explaining why he could not meet with Hemsworth and sending his best regards. He sent for a messenger and had them take it to White’s for him before going downstairs in search of food. He bought some pigeon pies from a passing vendor along with a jug of ale from the tavern and carried it up to his mother and sister Sarah, keeping one back for himself.
* * *
He retired to his room, determined to get some rest but was surprised to find Lord Hemsworth outside his door.
* * *
“Forgive me for the intrusion. But I needed to speak with you urgently.”
* * *
He inclined his head. “What seems to be the matter?”
* * *
Lord Hemsworth sighed. “The squatters who occupy my townhouse are proving a lot more difficult to evict than I had anticipated. I wondered if you might shed some insight into the matter or have some advice to tell me how to proceed.”
* * *
Arthur stared at him in surprise before smiling bitterly. “They always were an entitled bunch. My father made them that way. I do believe they thought that he would leave them some compensation if they served my father well. And they did.”
* * *
“So they took the townhouse for their own?”
* * *
“I do not know. Perhaps. You must show equal ruthlessness if you mean to deal with them.”
* * *
Lord Hemsworth frowned. “Is that why you were so eager to get rid of it? You tricked me!”
* * *
Arthur laughed. “You won it fair and square. Now those people are your problem. If you will excuse me…” he made for his door.
* * *
Hemsworth made a dissenting noise as if he might want to take this further but Arthur pushed him aside and entered his room. He closed the door behind him, feeling a curious satisfaction.
* * *
That night, he slept without dreaming and woke feeling extremely refreshed. The sun was barely rising by the time they set off for Avebury manor. Arthur was excited to show his mother her new home, even though she would not know where she was. She sat in the carriage, swaying from side to side, seemingly unbothered by the movement of it. Sister Sarah fed her sips of water and in two hours, they stopped to refresh themselves at an inn. Finally, they set off on the last leg, Arthur’s excitement rising as they approached Avebury.
* * *
Sister Sarah looked out of the window and frowned. “What is that plume of smoke?” she asked.
* * *
He peered out of the window as well and realized the smoke was coming from inside his compound. He banged on the roof for the coachman to go faster, his heart racing. They drove into the courtyard to find the place in an uproar. Arthur jumped out and grabbed a passing footman. “What is going on?” he demanded.
* * *
“Oh, Your Grace. The dower house is on fire!”
* * *
Arthur’s heart stopped. “What? Was anyone in there?”
* * *
“We-we do not know. Lady Janice came by earlier but…no one has seen her since the fire started.”
* * *
Arthur’s heart sank.
CHAPTER 34
It took three hours to put out the blaze, by which time, the cottage was gutted. His mother and her nurse were confined to the manor, away from the turmoil, but of Janice, he had seen no sign. He pulled his housekeeper aside. “Tell me exactly what happened,” he panted desperately, his face stained with soot.
* * *
“Lady Janice came with flowers and she wanted to put them in a vase for the dower house sitting room. She said she would wait for you there and took a book to read. An hour later, I sent a servant with some tea for her and she noticed the flames licking from the new curtains and onto the wooden walls.”
* * *
“Did the servant go inside?”
* * *
“Yes. She dropped the tray and ran inside but didn’t see anyone. She ran out again, screaming for help and that’s when we all noticed what had happened. We hastened to help her and that’s when you came home.”
* * *
“So nobody has seen her? Nobody knows if she was even in there? She could have gone home.”