AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Give him my best.”
They parted ways and Selena continued her way home. The package weighed heavily in Selena’s hand. What was it? Who had sent it? The label on the package only had Owen’s name and the hospital’s address. The postage mark showed it had come from New Zealand. No wonder it had taken so long to arrive. Mayhap someone had found something belonging to Owen and wanted to return it.
Selena stopped at a milliner’s shop to look at the display window when she caught movement behind her. There, across the street, were two men. They looked as if they were watching her. That was ridiculous. Selena shrugged it off and kept walking down the street. After another block, she browsed at another shop and peered through the window’s reflection again. The men were there again. Surely it was a coincidence. Yes. Why would someone be following her?
Erring on the side of caution, Selena slowed her pace. Every few steps, she peered across the street. Sure enough, the two men were there. Her pulse raced, every instinct telling her to run, but she knew it would only draw attention. She could hire a cab to take her the rest of the way home, but there were none in sight. The best thing was to get home quickly.
She increased her speed. Each time she glanced in a window, she saw that her pursuers had kept up. The end of this block would be the transition to the residential area. There would be fewer people. Lord knows what would happen. At the last second, she went into a shop, not bothering to note what it was. When she entered, she saw it was a menswear shop. The gentleman behind the counter came out to greet her.
“May I help you, ma’am?”
What should she do? She couldn’t really say she was being followed and she wanted a place to hide. The salesman would think her mad. Instead, she put on her best smile. “I’m looking for a dinner jacket for my husband. He told me to pick out the material, then he would come round for the fitting.”
“Of course, we have a nice selection of fabric over here.” The shop clerk showed her several bolts of cloth.
Not wanting to be rude, Selena looked through the selection. What she needed to do was find the back way out of the store. No doubt the brutes would be waiting for her outside.
“Do you have anything else? Something in the back, perhaps, that I haven’t seen?”
“I can check.” The salesman went to a curtained doorway.
Selena followed him. It was a large stock room with piles of merchandise and fabric lining the walls. At the far end was a door. Hopefully, it led to the back of the building. She cautiously made her way, keeping an eye on the young man who was oblivious to the fact that she had followed him. Once his back was turned, she hurried to the door and gave it a push. It opened with ease. Without a glance back, she exited the shop, coming into the back alley.
I’ll have to return sometime and apologize to that poor young man.It was rude to leave, but she would go back and purchase some items to make up for her behavior.
The back entrance opened to an alley, large enough for carts to get by with deliveries. Selena rushed to the end, desperate to get home. Just as she came to the wider street, two forms loomed in front of her. Her legs nearly gave out. She plastered herself against the wall, her heart about to burst from her chest.
“How do you do, your ladyship.” The man closest to her said. He did a mock bow before stepping up to her. He was so close she could see his half-rotted teeth.
Stay calm.She mustn’t faint. “What do you want?” The words came out as a whisper.
“You have something that belongs to my employer.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“You’re holding it.” The package?
Selena tightened her grasp on it. Could she get away? The man speaking was blocking her exit. Even if she got by him, she would have to get past the other man, and he was larger. No, best to give them what they wanted.
With a trembling hand, she gave the man the package. He ripped it out of her grip, then handed it to his associate. “Much obliged.” Instead of leaving, as Selena had hoped, he brandished a knife from his inside pocket.
Dear Lord! Should she scream? Perhaps it would attract someone’s attention. Before she could decide, the villain put the cold edge of the blade to her throat. She dared not even swallow for fear the steel would cut her throat. The blood rushed from her head, and she felt dizzy.
“Tell Lord Fernsby he’d best watch himself. He’s made a certain party very unhappy.” The two men disappeared around the corner.
Good heavens, what had just happened? Selena took deep gulps of air. She checked her neck, relieved to discover no blood. Home. She needed to get home. How far away was she? Not that far. She could make it. Dizziness loomed close, but Selena held it at bay as she willed her legs to move. Every few steps she glanced over her shoulder; afraid she was being followed by those brutes. Her vision narrowed, and she shut out everything until all Selena could hear was the pounding of her pulse in her ears. Just a little further. With the last of her strength and nerves, she rushed home and collapsed onto the sofa in the drawing room.
Selena wasn’t sure how long she sat there, staring into space. Where was Owen? She needed him. He was gone, and she didn’t know where. A small cry escaped her lips as the tears threatened to spill. There was nothing to do but wait. Selena had finally removed her jacket and coat when Sarah glided through the door.
“Are you ready for an afternoon of shopping?” her friend said. Sarah stilled when she saw Selena’s frazzled expression.
“I say, Selena, you don’t look well. Are you ill?”
She couldn’t answer. Her throat constricted and her shoulders shook from silent sobs. Sarah rushed over.
“Selena, what’s wrong? Please tell me. You’re scaring me.”
After a few moments, Selena composed herself enough to tell Sarah what had happened. Her friend launched into action. She called for Rhoads, ordering him to find Owen at once.
