Page 14 of Swindled By a Spinster
“I saw an opportunity and I seized it.”
“An opportunity for…”
Before he could finish his question, Mr. Big B swung open the door and gave Phoebe a shove from the back. Torrance rushed forward, but Phoebe had already regained her balance by the time he had reached her.
Uncaring of who was about, he wrapped Phoebe up in his arms. “Are you hurt?” Phoebe shivered in his arms and he squeezed her tighter to him.
“I…I can’t..I can’t breathe.”
He loosened his hold on Phoebe but did not let her go. “I missed you.”
“I missed you.” Phoebe cupped his face and stared straight at him. “I found you.”
The heartwarming comment had him smiling from ear-to-ear. “You did good.”
He peered over Phoebe’s head to search for Mr. Big B.
The bodyguard was nowhere in sight, and the scent of lavender was also distinctly missing from the room. He released Phoebe and marched over to the darkened corner, where his captor had sat watching over him for days.
The woman was gone.
He strode over to the door and peered out into the corridor.
There was no sign of Mr. Big B.
Torrance whirled around and jogged over to the window. He pushed back the thick curtains and spotted a figure approaching the house. “Foxton?”
“Oh, has Lord Foxton been released?” Phoebe joined him at the window. “What a relief.”
The material fell away from his grip as he turned to face Phoebe. “Released?”
“Yes. Boodles—you know the rather brutish bull of a man who escorted me in—well, his counterpart Ossie caught us attempting to enter the mansion through the back entrance last night. I was locked in an upstairs chamber and I overheard Ossie ordering Lord Foxton to be retained in the stables. It was awfully cold last night. I hope Lord Foxton didn’t fall ill.” She started to walk toward the door and added, “I wonder where Lady Margaret disappeared to. We should search the house.”
Utterly lost and confused, Torrance followed Phoebe to the front door and muttered, “Boodles? Ossie? Lady Margaret?”
Phoebe stopped and tugged the front door open. “Lord Foxton! Your lips are blue.” She pulled Foxton, who looked like a walking block of ice, inside.
“G-g-good to see you, Kil-Kilman.” His friend's teeth chattered.
Torrance slung his arm about Foxton and assisted the poor man into the drawing room where he’d been held captive. They headed straight for the fireplace that had been kept lit day and night. Which meant…Which meant there had been smoke pluming from the chimney for the entire duration of his stay. Torrance shook his head. The blasted woman hadn't even attempted to hide their location. Nothing made any sense.
Foxton rubbed his hands together and then faced his palms toward the flame. “You look rather well for having been held captive for multiple days.”
Ignoring Foxton now that he was settled, Torrance turned and joined Phoebe in the darkened corner that he had come to hate. “Who is Lady Margaret?”
“The woman who is responsible for stealing the crown jewels and your disappearance.” Phoebe bent and picked up a piece of parchment left on the chair.
She walked over to a candle and began to read out loud.
Dear Lady Phoebe,
Your delayed arrival means that there is little left in the larder.
However, please feel free to make use of the house.
The staff and I shall not be returning any time soon.
I wish you and Lord Kilman a very happy future, and I’m terribly sorry I won’t be able to attend your wedding.
