AllFreeNovel
Share Us
CHAPTER19
Selena sat in the drawing room, reading the same page for the hundredth time. It’s no use. She threw the book aside in defeat. Over the last week, she had seen little of Owen. He had been in and out of the house at all hours of the day. When he was at home, he was in the library speaking with people. If nothing else, he was intent on uncovering his accomplices from New Zealand.
What worried Selena was that the authorities might charge Owen with a crime. If the stolen package contained gold, was there more? Would the authorities take pity on Owen given his loss of memories?
The worry had kept her up most nights. During the day, she did everything she could to distract herself, but it was no use. Selena wanted to speak with Owen. He had confided in her once, and she missed the closeness of their relationship. She missed the way he smiled when she entered a room or when he kissed her like she was the only woman he’d ever wanted.
I love him.
The sentiment came crashing down, hitting her with its full force. It was true; she loved Owen. Even after all they had been through in the past, she could forgive him and start fresh. Selena wanted a second chance at happiness. Suddenly, she remembered the papers Rodney had drawn up for her—her ticket to freedom. Selena had never gotten around to having Owen sign them. There would be no need for them now.
Selena went over to her writing table and withdrew the document. She would burn it. A testament to her resolve to be with Owen. The fire in the drawing room had not been lit, so she headed for the library. As she drew nearer, she heard a noise. Was Owen back? Odd, she hadn’t heard the front door open.
The hairs on the back of her neck stood on end. Something was wrong. Selena tiptoed the rest of the way, then peeked around the edge of the library door. A stranger was going through Owen’s desk. What was he looking for? It didn’t matter. The intruder had to be handled and quickly.
As quietly as she came, Selena hurried to the servants’ stairway, since it was the closet exit. Once inside, she descended the steps to the kitchen. The only people present were the housekeeper and two maids.
Mrs. Henson, the housekeeper, stood as she entered. “Good afternoon, my lady.”
“No time for that,” Selena said. “There is an intruder in the house.”
“What?”
“In the library, there is a man going through his lordship’s desk. We must stop him. Where is Tom?”
“He is out on an errand,” Milly, a maid, answered.
“Rhoads?”
“Gone as well, and Jacob is off to visit his family for the day.”
Selena huffed in frustration. There was only one option.
“Then we will have to take care of the man ourselves.”
The maids gasped.
“Mrs. Henson, you fetch the police. Milly, Beth, and I will handle our unwanted guest.”
“I cannot let you do that, ma’am. What if something happens to you?” The old housekeeper wrung her hands.
“We’ll be fine. It’s three against one, plus we will have the element of surprise. Please, Mrs. Henson, we need to hurry.”
The woman did not look pleased, but she nodded her head and hurried out the back door.
Selena turned to the maids. “Now we must arm ourselves. Do we have any rope?”
“There may be some out back,” Beth spoke up.
“Get it.”
The maid sprang into action. Selena and Milly located weapons, including a large frying pain, a carving knife, and a rolling pin. Once Beth returned with the rope, Selena told them her plan. Together, they went back upstairs. Hopefully, the intruder had not left.
When they approached the library door, Selena could hear the man still inside. Now it was time to execute their plan. The door was half closed, giving Selena enough cover to dart across to the other side of the doorway. She nodded at the maids to get ready.
Selena took a few steps down the hall, then turned around. “Has anyone seen my sewing basket?” She spoke in a loud tone so the intruder was sure to hear, and hopefully take the bait.
The shuffling sounds from the library stopped. Now they waited. Heavy footsteps thudded on the carpet until the man emerged from the room. Selena looked surprised.
