Imprisoned at Werewolf Keep (Werewolf Keep Trilogy) Read Free

make haste to your side to pay my condolences and to see if there was anything I might do to assist you at this difficult time.’
    Fidelia studied the man f or a few long seconds before finding the polite words of thanks that were required of her. There was something not quite right about this man’s presentation. He had delivered his speech as if he was performing on the stage at Covent Garden. It sounded false.
    ‘Thank you , sir. But you need not have bothered making the long trip. I am well enough. I have only just now seen my closest friend off. She has been staying with me while the worst of my grief was weathered.’
    ‘Yes, Mrs Philomena Carstairs. From Yorkshire, is she not?’
    Filomena’s mouth dropped open in a most unlady-like gape before she had a chance to correct it.
    ‘Yes. How is it that you know of Mrs Carstairs?’ She was edging for the door now, hoping that the butler, Haversham, would come to her rescue soon. It was one of the old man’s most annoying habits, his ever-so-polite intrusion into every aspect of her life. But, in this moment, that trait was highly prized. She needed him desperately. Although this man had done nothing so far to threaten her, she felt under siege.
    ‘Oh, I have never met the beautiful lady, but she is quite the talk of the ton at the moment. The unseemly haste of her marriage to gentry , who has not been seen in London for ten years or more, is quite the talk of the town.’
    ‘And that talk had her leaving today? The gossip mill is more knowledgeable than I gave it credit,’ she bit out, no longer concerned with politeness. She turned her back and headed for the safety of the threshold of her home.
    ‘Have I offended you , dear lady? I do beg your pardon if I have inadvertently done so. I know she is a dear friend to you. I am sure that the gossip is incorrect in regards to her.’
    ‘Thank you for coming all the way out here to visit me, Sir Rathgart, but if you will excuse me, I have urgent matters to attend to within. I am not at liberty to entertain guests at present. Maybe in a week or so. If you would care to send a card beforehand…’
    She was through the doorway now and Haversham was at her side, bowing obsequiously.
    The man had followed her right to the threshold. ‘I will certainly do just that, my dear lady. In a week then. I will look forward to the occasion with great anticipation.’ His handlebar moustache dipped from side to side as he wobbled his top lip.
    ‘Haversham?’ she indicated t he door and the man. The look the butler shot her was shocked affront. But he did her unspoken bidding.
    With a stiff bow in the direction of the young man, he began to close the door. ‘Thank you for your kind concern , sir, I am sure her Ladyship will be in a better state to receive guests in a week’s time.’ And he closed the door on the man.
    Fidel ia breathed a sigh of relief. She had never been so frightened in her life. And yet she knew she was being silly. The man had posed no real threat to her at all. But there was something not quite right about that man. The way he looked at her. The way he seemed to know exactly what was happening in her life, out here in the country. How could he have known Phil was leaving today? No one but the staff knew that information. Had he bribed one of her servants? But to what end?
    ‘I am not at home to that man, Haversham. Now or in a week’s time. He said he was a friend of my husband’s, but I have never met him. Do you recognise him?’
    Again , that look of affront, as if she had stepped over a societal line by requesting such information from him.
    ‘No madam, that gentleman was unfamiliar to me. Will there be anything else?’
    Fidelia shook her head and turned toward the morning room where a mid-morning coffee was awaiting her. Of later, she had taken to the habit of drinking coffee instead of tea. Its strong, bitter taste seemed to suit her better than the milky tea that was her usual beverage. It was