Turning, I reached for Rain, intending to guide her to a nearby log so I could climb back up, but my attention caught on some flattened grass. It continued through the woodland, onto the property of the neighboring estate, a clear sign someone had trekked through, and often with how worn it was.
Curiosity was a vexing thing.
Grumbling, I tethered Rain to a tree and heaved a sigh. I would not be evading Lieutenant Paget today.
Chapter thirteen
Edward
Rarely do our plans proceed without difficulties. If I have learned anything over the course of my lifetime, it is that no matter our pursuits, there will always be opposition. Just as there can be no light without darkness, no joy without sadness, there can be no success without the threat of failure. What more can we do, then, but persevere through the hardships, knowing that our victory will be worth every setback? Do not give in to the temptation to quit, for that is the surest and fastest path to losing.
JN
Mybodyached,stifffrom crouching in such an uncomfortable position. I’d remained hidden in the woodland far longer today, determined not to return to Kenwick until I had some evidence of Hollinsby’s presence. Thus far, my efforts had been for naught. Another day of observation without a hint of activity in or around the gardens.
I glared at the house, its stone face dull and taunting. It mocked me with its secrets, and my frustration swelled. There had to be a way of confirming Hollinsby's presence without alerting him, but how? I could ask around town, of course, but there was no guarantee someone wouldn’t mention it to him. I hadn’t any idea whether he’d bought the loyalties of those living in the area. He certainly hadn’t hesitated to do so at sea.
A high-pitched noise rent the air, drawing my attention to one of the windows. Shards of broken glass fell from it, and shouts reached me even from this distance. My body tensed when the servant’s door flew open, and I sucked in a breath when a dark-skinned figure fled from within. Her hair was tightly wound in a plait pinned at the back of her head, and she wore a ragged brown dress. Fear lit her dark eyes, and it took all of my strength not to vacate my hiding place and go to her.
Adda. She was here.
Another woman, similarly dressed and of the same skin tone, rushed out of the house. She grabbed Adda by the arm, pulling her to a halt. I could not hear their conversation, but her frantic gestures alone were enough to tell me something was wrong. She seemed to plead with Adda, and I watched the woman who had saved my life slump with capitulation, as if all will to escape drained out of her.
The door opened again, and my body went rigid, every muscle tense with restraint. Hollinsby stormed toward the women, and when his hand slapped Adda across the face with a loud smack, I had to grip the tree next to me to keep myself in place. Anger surged within me, and my jaw clenched so tightly I thought my teeth might break.
Hollinsby, face mottled with red, grabbed Adda by the arm. “I told you what would happen if you tried to escape! You will regret this.”
Leaves rustled behind me, snatching my attention. Someone approached. My heart lurched, and I immediately withdrew the knife I kept hidden in my boot. A shadowed figure moved among the brambles, and I shot to my feet. Rushing forward, I rounded the tree and grabbed them from behind, bringing the knife to their throat.
The woman squealed, and I dropped my knife to cover her mouth, praying she had not alerted Hollinsby.
She. It was awomanin my arms, and one with flaming red hair.
My stomach twisted as the scent of lavender filled my nose. Annette squirmed in my grasp, her screams muffled beneath my glove.
I held her tighter, ignoring the way her boots slammed against my shins. “Annette, you must be quiet, or we shall be caught.”
She stilled, but my heart continued to pound against my ribs. She could not see my face to confirm my identity, and the realization that she had ceased struggling at the sound of my voice, that she recognized me by that alone, shot pleasure through me.
“I’m going to release you,” I whispered into her ear. “Please, do not scream.”
She nodded, and I loosened my hold. When she turned around, her expression was sharp and penetrating. The glare might have amused me in any other circumstance. Or if I were not completely arrested by her appearance. Until now, I hadn’t noted how her hair fell over her shoulders and nearly to her waist, the texture as wavy as the sea.
“Just what do you think you are doing?” she said, outrage lining her tone.
I stepped forward, shushing her. “Keep your voice down, or I’ll do it for you.”
How her glare intensified, I did not know, but her blue eyes lit with fury.
“Do not proceed to order me about, Edward.” She didn’t whisper, but her volume had dropped significantly. “I do not need to obey your demands. I will not.”
I glanced briefly over my shoulder, but I did not have a clear view of the house from here. Had Hollinsby heard us? I could not afford to be discovered. “We must be quiet. Stop being so stubborn for once and listen to me.”
“Says the man who attacked me with a knife.” She gestured to the ground, where my blade had dropped.
I stooped over, picked up the weapon, and returned it to my boot. “I thought you were one of Hollinsby’s men.”
“Why, thank you for the compliment. Being compared to a man has really made my day, on top of being attacked.”
