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)
* * *
“That is an excellent idea, my dear. You remain thoughtful as ever.”
* * *
Anne got up as well. “I’ll come with you.”
Arthur flicked anxious glances at Janice. She seemed to almost be in a daze as she rode behind her brother on his horse. She had barely spoken and he kept casting worried glances in her direction.
* * *
Coupled with his worry, he felt enormous relief. The blacksmith had found her in an abandoned croft almost bordering the woods. It was on land owned by the district magistrate ironically who was not in residence and who was said in fact to have gone to the continent for the summer.
* * *
Once they got to Somerton Manor, Janice was immediately carted off by her sisters to care for her, while Lord Benjamin led him to the parlor to wait. “This is such a relief, having her back so quickly and you did not have to pay them.”
“Yes, that’s true. But we still do not know who they were or what they wanted. Since they didn’t get it, they are sure to strike again, do you not think so?”
* * *
Lord Benjamin frowned. “You have a good point. What can we do to prevent any more abductions?”
* * *
“Well, I think once she feels more like herself, Janice will be able to give us a clue. Hopefully, she knew her abductor or he said something to her.”
* * *
He nodded. “Yes. Once her sisters are through bathing and feeding her, we can speak.”
* * *
“No, I think she should rest tonight. She must be exhausted. I feel uncomfortable making her speak when she’s in this state. She can tell us something in the morning.”
* * *
“Yes. I shall post additional guards all around the compound.”
* * *
Arthur nodded. “I want to stay but if they realize they’ve lost Janice, they might go for my mother. I shall return early in the morning to see Janice. Would you convey my best regards to her?”
* * *
“Of course I will.” Lord Benjamin clapped him on the back. “In any case, you shouldn’t travel alone either. Allow my coachman to take you home. He is armed with a pistol and is quite capable of defending you. He used to be a pugilist.”
* * *
Arthur gave a bow. “I shall accept your gracious offer. Thank you.”
* * *
“We shall see you in the morning.”
“Are you alright?” Emily said gently as she smoothed down Janice’s wet hair in the bath.
* * *
“There were rats there,” Janice replied and shuddered.
* * *
Emily’s face softened with sympathy. “Oh, darling! I’m sorry. I know how terrified you are of them.”
* * *
Janice folded herself into a ball. “It was terrible. I couldn’t see them as it was pitch dark. But one of them was nibbling at me!”
* * *
Anne squeaked in horror, covering her mouth. She had been sitting on the bed listening to them and watching Janice sadly. Janice looked up at her and was immediately contrite. “Oh, I’m sorry, Anne. I didn’t mean to scare you.”
* * *
Anne leaped off the bed and skidded over to them. “No, no, I’m sorry. You had to endure that. Please do not comfort me.” She cried, clutching Janice around the neck in an awkward embrace.
* * *
“Ooh, strangling me,” Janice rasped, though she smiled as much as she could to show Anne she wasn’t offended. Anne let her go at once with a wince and an apology.
* * *
Janice sighed. “Anyway, I’m alright, and Lord Hemsworth will pay for this.”
* * *
“Lord Hemsworth?” Emily’s eyes almost bugged out of her head. “Is he the one who snatched you?”
* * *
“Well, I do not remember who actually took me as they knocked me unconscious but yes, he was there in the cottage where I came to, tied to a stake on the floor. I could barely breathe, he’d tied me so tightly.” She huffed in annoyance.
* * *
Emily turned to Anne. “You must go and tell father right away, Anne.”
* * *
She nodded, getting up off the floor just as there was a knock on the door.
* * *
“Now what?” Emily looked towards it irritably.
* * *
“I’ll get it,” Anne said, hopping over to the door quickly and pulling it partly open. She widened the door a bit and a maid came in, laden with a tray of food.
* * *
“Oh excellent, the food’s here.” Emily smiled and held out a towel to Janice. She stood up, stepping out of the bath, and putting it on. Emily handed her a robe and she wore that too before crossing to the sideboard and picking up an apple.
* * *
She took a bite into it and turned to face Emily. “This is wonderful. The only thing I’ve eaten for a long time is a bit of dry bread.”