Total pages in book: 173
Estimated words: 163328 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 817(@200wpm)___ 653(@250wpm)___ 544(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 163328 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 817(@200wpm)___ 653(@250wpm)___ 544(@300wpm)
Veering left, I ducked at the approach of the porter’s limping footsteps. Another hallway brought me into the path of a housemaid, and I dashed into a closet. Then I crawled on hands and knees through the busier parts of the estate, following the aroma of plum cake baking in the kitchen.
There, I rose to my feet and peered inside.
Fire flickered beneath the spit. Syllabub glasses sparkled. Mutton stew bubbled in the kettle, and the cook maid—a young native woman—hummed a foreign tune.
Everyone knew servants weren’t supposed to sing, hum, or make any noise within earshot of the master’s family.
I grinned at her rebellion. With her back turned to the doorway and her pretty voice vibrating the air, she didn’t catch my escape through the kitchen and out the servant door.
Morning sunlight blotted my vision, and a warm breeze tugged at my hair, loosening the curls. I squinted in the direction of the barn and listened.
And listened harder.
Damn the silence! Where were those hounds?
Don’t panic.
The dogs would find me. They always did.
I bolted across the dewy lawn, tripping over the petticoat and scattering my nerves in a burst of exhilaration.
In the distant field, a tenant farmer lifted his head to watch my inelegant race to the stable. But he wouldn’t stop me. No one did as I made a break for an unfamiliar horse that was already tacked outside.
Saddled in the finest leather and tied to a post, the black thoroughbred didn’t belong to the estate.
“Miss Benedicta?” The stable boy emerged from the barn and offered me a kind smile. “Do you fancy a ride today? Shall I ready a mare?”
“There’s no time. Did Lord Grisdale arrive by carriage?”
“Nah, he came by horse. That one there.” His freckled face scrunched as he pointed at the beast I was already mounting. “You mustn’t—”
“I’ll return it.” I stuffed my wrapped package in the saddlebag.
“He’ll have my hide!”
“Have my adventures ever earned you a lashing?” With my gaze on the surrounding copse of trees, I tucked the bulky skirts beneath my legs.
“No, but Lord Grisdale—”
“Will aim his strap at my behind.” I adjusted my jade pendant to rest against my chest. “Hand me the reins.”
He made a show out of dragging his feet, as he so often did when I involved him in my mischief. Then a curse slipped under his breath, decision made. He untied the tether and tossed it to my waiting hand.
“I’ll sneak you some plum cake after my flogging tonight.” My wink brought twin stains of pink to his freckled cheeks.
Snapping my hips forward, I spurred Grisdale’s horse into a gallop.
Within minutes, the pins in my hair surrendered to the wind, giving flight to a tangled mane of curls. At the tree line, I shoved two fingers into my mouth and released a high-pitched whistle.
A racket of noise disturbed the undergrowth. Moments later, the hounds shot out of the woodland and bounded in my direction.
I slowed the horse, exploding with laughter, as paws and jowls scrabbled at my legs. The dogs jumped and licked with vigor, coating my fingers in strings of drool.
And mud.
It was everywhere, blackening the petticoat and streaking my sleeves. Nothing I could do about it now.
“Shear off, you rascals!” I clapped my hands, calling the hounds’ attention. “Where is he? Show me!”
Just like all the times before, they took off into the trees, tails up and muzzles down, letting their noses lead them to the rendezvous point.
I gave chase, bending into the pursuit and hugging the trails. At length, I lost track of all the twists and turns and forged headlong into unknown lands.
The terrain grew savagely rugged. Twiggy branches grabbed at my skirts, ripped seams, and gouged irreparable holes in the chintz.
I’d scrounged up a lot of trouble in my life and managed to fight my way out of all of it. But stealing a nobleman’s horse and destroying my mother’s precious gown? There was no coming back from this.
Maybe I wouldn’t have to. Maybe this time he would let me go with him.
My heart rate sped up, filling my chest with giddy anticipation.
He never ventured too close to town, so I wasn’t surprised when the journey extended into the next hour. The hounds maintained a frantic northernly pace, sharing my excitement to reunite with their master.
Deep into the woods, the dirt paths grew narrower, choked with foliage and disappearing beneath unexplored wilderness. But I hadn’t strayed far from the coast. The scent of brine and tang of salt lay heavily in the warm air, and the resonance of surf thundered over the clap of hooves.
A few minutes later, the trees parted to a view of oceanic blue.
The hounds sprinted toward the shore, kicking up sand in their wake. I dismounted the horse and secured him in the shade. Then I darted out of the forest and into the embrace of uninterrupted sunshine.