Realm 04 - A Touch of Grace Read Online Free
Author: Regina Jeffers
household. Even a few days under her brother’s roof would be preferable over the madness Samuel Aldridge invoked. She said evenly, “On more than one occasion, His Lordship has voiced his displeasure for my part in the Duke of Thornhill’s revenge on Sir Louis Levering. Although I was an unknowing participant, Viscount Averette has made his ire known. I am certain my most recent interference has sealed my fate in this household. And as to Gwendolyn, she shall have your parents to dote upon her and cousins with which to play. She shall adjust quickly. I have spoken to her of my departure, and Gwen understands my reasons for leaving. I have explained I miss my brother and younger sister.”
“I shall always think of you kindly, Grace Nelson,” Lady Averette said reverently. “You have been a Godsend. When you are prepared to take your leave, your letter shall be waiting for you.” Wiping the tears from her eyes, the viscountess permitted her maid to lead her into her private quarters.
Grace sighed heavily. “I shall be happy to be free of this place.”
*
Tired of permitting life to pass him by, Gabriel Crowden had ridden leisurely, but with a new determination to discover his own future. With Jamot’s escape from the abbey, he and Kerrington had given chase. They had scooped up Baron Ashton’s private papers from the ground where the Baloch had scattered them as part of his escape diversion before mounting to pursue the shadow of Murhad Jamot. Neither man had spoken. After having served together for five years, Crowden and Kerrington had known what to expect–the nuances of the quest.
Kerrington had taken the lead, and Gabriel had ridden some two lengths behind. As his former captain followed the Baloch’s trail, Gabriel had scanned the landscape, searching for possible subterfuge. As Jamot’s attempts to locate Shaheed Mir’s missing emerald among the Realm members had failed three times, Gabriel had expected Mir’s man to act with desperation. His eyes had scanned every tree–every rock, expecting the Baloch to expose himself–to take aim against them, but Jamot had once again done the unexpected: Jamot had made a full out retreat. Retreating to fight another day.
That knowledge had not deterred their initial efforts, but after a quarter hour they, instinctively, eased away from the urgency. Lathered with foam, both horses labored under the hilly conditions, and as he and Kerrington topped yet another crest, they slowed their animals to a stop.
Out of breath, Gabriel wiped his sweaty brow with a handkerchief. A bit of dust rose from where the road twisted into a loop and turned toward the east. From their position atop the hill, they could see the Baloch had, at least, a half-mile on them. “Jamot heads into the Southern mountains,” Crowden gestured to the wisp of dust lingering above the hedgerows. Dejectedly, he said, “Will we continue to search.” Above all things, he wanted the madness to end. He had longed for home for so long, and he could no longer muster a taste to do the government’s business.
“God!” Kerrington appeared as frustrated as he. The captain had not removed his gaze from where Jamot sought refuge. “I know I should continue our pursuit, but, in reality, all I want is race to Cheshire to assure myself Ella is well. I am tired of this life. Is it beyond reason to simply want to live out my days as Eleanor Kerrington’s husband?”
Crowden’s heart lurched. He had witnessed the happiness both Kerrington and Thornhill had discovered upon their returns to England. Knowing Wellston’s tenaciousness, Gabriel held no doubt the earl would join the viscount and the duke in wedded bliss. Gabriel had lost his family because of a youthful indiscretion. He wished to salvage what remained. “I believe you should go home, Captain. You have a family to protect. Chasing the kidnapper of your wife’s cousin is one thing. A family obligation should always take precedence. Chasing a
“I shall always think of you kindly, Grace Nelson,” Lady Averette said reverently. “You have been a Godsend. When you are prepared to take your leave, your letter shall be waiting for you.” Wiping the tears from her eyes, the viscountess permitted her maid to lead her into her private quarters.
Grace sighed heavily. “I shall be happy to be free of this place.”
*
Tired of permitting life to pass him by, Gabriel Crowden had ridden leisurely, but with a new determination to discover his own future. With Jamot’s escape from the abbey, he and Kerrington had given chase. They had scooped up Baron Ashton’s private papers from the ground where the Baloch had scattered them as part of his escape diversion before mounting to pursue the shadow of Murhad Jamot. Neither man had spoken. After having served together for five years, Crowden and Kerrington had known what to expect–the nuances of the quest.
Kerrington had taken the lead, and Gabriel had ridden some two lengths behind. As his former captain followed the Baloch’s trail, Gabriel had scanned the landscape, searching for possible subterfuge. As Jamot’s attempts to locate Shaheed Mir’s missing emerald among the Realm members had failed three times, Gabriel had expected Mir’s man to act with desperation. His eyes had scanned every tree–every rock, expecting the Baloch to expose himself–to take aim against them, but Jamot had once again done the unexpected: Jamot had made a full out retreat. Retreating to fight another day.
That knowledge had not deterred their initial efforts, but after a quarter hour they, instinctively, eased away from the urgency. Lathered with foam, both horses labored under the hilly conditions, and as he and Kerrington topped yet another crest, they slowed their animals to a stop.
Out of breath, Gabriel wiped his sweaty brow with a handkerchief. A bit of dust rose from where the road twisted into a loop and turned toward the east. From their position atop the hill, they could see the Baloch had, at least, a half-mile on them. “Jamot heads into the Southern mountains,” Crowden gestured to the wisp of dust lingering above the hedgerows. Dejectedly, he said, “Will we continue to search.” Above all things, he wanted the madness to end. He had longed for home for so long, and he could no longer muster a taste to do the government’s business.
“God!” Kerrington appeared as frustrated as he. The captain had not removed his gaze from where Jamot sought refuge. “I know I should continue our pursuit, but, in reality, all I want is race to Cheshire to assure myself Ella is well. I am tired of this life. Is it beyond reason to simply want to live out my days as Eleanor Kerrington’s husband?”
Crowden’s heart lurched. He had witnessed the happiness both Kerrington and Thornhill had discovered upon their returns to England. Knowing Wellston’s tenaciousness, Gabriel held no doubt the earl would join the viscount and the duke in wedded bliss. Gabriel had lost his family because of a youthful indiscretion. He wished to salvage what remained. “I believe you should go home, Captain. You have a family to protect. Chasing the kidnapper of your wife’s cousin is one thing. A family obligation should always take precedence. Chasing a
Readers choose
Janet Dailey
Tove Jansson
L. E. Modesitt
Jessie Haas
Chris Keith
Stacey Lee
Tayari Jones
Mary Higgins Clark
Elizabeth Chadwick
Patricia Ryan