AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Yes, my lady.”
Abigail wandered through the house, heading towards the study. If Lord Blackmore was in the house, he was more than likely going to be there. Maybe she should tell him about what she had heard? He would listen, and it did pertain to him as well.
She was passing the dining room when someone grabbed her arm and tugged her through the door. Abigail squeaked, only to have it cut off as someone kissed her. She pushed away, glaring up at the grinning man.
“Arthur! Would you not scare me like that?”
“What? You said that you like surprises.”
“Not like that.” Abigail slapped his chest. “Honestly, you’re awful.”
“That’s why you love me.”
He was right. Abigail hadn’t thought it was possible to be so deeply in love with someone, and she certainly hadn’t expected it with a member of Blackmore’s household. In the beginning, she had tried to fight it and be loyal to her mistress. But Arthur had worn her down. And Abigail didn’t regret it.
“Are you all right, Abby?” Arthur tilted his head as he frowned at her. “You look…out of sorts.”
“I…I don’t know.”
“What does that mean?” Abigail glanced towards the door. “Can we speak privately?”
“Of course.” Arthur moved away and shut the door. “What is it?”
“It’s about Mr Gregory Hayward.”
“Lady Blackmore’s cousin? What’s he done?”
“I don’t really know.” Abigail paced away, finding herself fidgeting. “Do you recall me telling you about my friend Charlotte Berrentini?”
“She’s the one whose father owns a public house on the outskirts, isn’t she?” Arthur waggled his eyebrows. “The place we went to for that weekend?”
“Arthur!”
“My apologies. What about her?”
“I bumped into her while Lady Blackmore was shopping. We ended up talking while my mistress was trying on dresses, and Mr Hayward’s name came up.” Abigail frowned. “I made a comment about hoping Mr Hayward wasn’t going to cause any trouble now that he had returned from across the county, but Charlotte said he hadn’t left.”
Arthur looked confused.
“What does that mean?”
“Shortly before the wedding, he left saying that he couldn’t bring himself to watch his cousin marry Lord Blackmore. Charlotte said he had been staying at her father’s public house ever since, and he’s paid up until the end of this week.”
Arthur folded his arms.
“When he said across the county, maybe he meant up to Middlesbrough.”
“It’s not that far, given the journey. And Mr Hayward made comments about being on the Derbyshire border for some time. I was there when he said it.”
“He was here today.”
Abigail blinked.
“What? He was here?”
“Yes. Lord Blackmore took him out onto the terrace. They were there when you and Lady Blackmore left. I heard him saying that his aunt and uncle were very accommodating to him now he had returned, and he did like spending time with them. They were letting him stay with them.”
“But how is that possible when he’s staying in Middlesbrough?”
