There was only one thing that scared him and that was spiders. It had been that way since he was young. It was an impractical fear, but a fear, nonetheless. His brother had used this fear to his advantage and would often sneak spiders into his bedchamber.
Rising, Alden asked, “Where is my bedchamber?”
Hastings pointed upward. “It is on the next level.”
“I think I would like to rest before supper, considering we were up at such an early hour this morning,” Alden said.
“Would you like me to assist you in undressing?”
Alden shook his head. “No, that won’t be necessary,” he said before he walked over to the stairs.
As he placed his foot on the step, the wood creaked and dipped slightly under his weight. That is not good, he thought. He carefully ascended the stairs, wincing at each groan of the wood, and arrived at his bedchamber. He had just started removing his cravat when he heard a distinctive thud.
Alden turned back towards the door. “Hastings?”
When his valet didn’t respond, he draped his cravat over his neck and headed towards the bed. He had just moved to pull back the blanket, hoping to find some semblance of comfort in this dismal place. As he moved the blanket, he noticed a flicker of movement from under the bed out of the corner of his eye.
He crouched down and his eyes widened in shock. There,lurking in the shadows, was a giant house spider, its long, hairy legs spread out menacingly.
Jumping up, Alden ran out of his room and dashed down the stairs, his heart pounding in his chest. “There was a massive spider under my bed!” he exclaimed.
“Would you like me to remove it?” Hastings asked calmly, clearly unaware of how large the spider was.
“No, we are getting out of this cottage once and for all,” Alden responded, hastily grabbing his cloak. “Pack up my trunks and return to the manor.”
“Sir…” Hastings started, but Alden had already swung open the main door.
“I will inform the butler to send the coach for you at once,” he stated. “And for heaven’s sake, do not look under my bed.”
He didn’t bother to wait for his valet to respond before he charged out the door. Alden could endure most things, but sharing a space with a giant house spider was not one of them. He wouldn’t do it.
With swift, determined strides, Alden exited the woodlands, the trees thinning out as he crossed the field towards the manor. He reached the entrance and flung the door open, sighing in relief as warmth enveloped him.
“Miss Sidney!” Alden shouted, his voice carrying through the hall.
A moment later, Miss Sidney appeared from a corridor, a look of curiosity and concern on her features. “What is wrong?”
Alden closed the distance between them, his anger still simmering. “How could you send me to that cottage?”
She met his gaze with a blank stare. “I don’t understand,” she replied. “Is it not up to your liking?”
“My liking?” he repeated, incredulous. “It should be condemned.”
“It isn’t that bad,” she argued.
Alden raised his hands in exasperation. “There was a massive spider under my bed. My bed, Miss Sidney!”
Miss Sidney’s expression softened with understanding. “That was just a house spider, and they are completely harmless.”
“It didn’t look harmless,” Alden contended. “What if I had been in bed and it had decided to join me?”
“Spiders are important since they eat the insects…” Miss Sidney began.
Alden put his hand up, stilling her words. “I am aware of what spiders’ roles are, but I refuse to stay at a cottage when I might be eaten by one.”
Miss Sidney gave him a weak smile. “I’m afraid that house spiders are very common in Scotland. They enter through the chimneys and under doorways. You can’t prevent them from coming inside.”
“Are you not the least bit afraid of spiders?” Alden asked, his voice tinged with disbelief.
