Page 15 of To Win a Viscount's Heart
“What do you mean, she’s gone? When? She was asleep,” Vern said. “How did that happen?”
“I think we were drugged, my lord,” Grom said. “I think everyone was drugged.”
“What the hell are you talking about?” Vern demanded.
“The stablemaster and the cook. They’re gone too. I think it was that stew. We all ate some, you, me, the footmen, and the maids. We all fell asleep. I only just woke up a few minutes before I came to wake you.”
“I want the entire estate searched, including the surrounding properties and all the tenant cottages,” he demanded. “Find them and bring them to me.”
“Yes, my lord,” Grom said as he turned and left.
Vern Stiles cursed.No one makes a fool of me!When Grom finds that bitch I’ll teach her a lesson she’ll never forget.
~*~
Chapter Five
The next morning
Bellwood Estate
Derbyshire, England
Gerald awoke with a start. Disoriented he wondered what had caused him to awaken.
A soft groan came from the bed.
Selena!
He sprang up from his chair and went to her side.
Her head moved restlessly on the pillow.
Another whimper escaped her.“Maman, I did as you bid. The fiend won’t find me…”
Confused and concerned at her words, Gerald swiftly lit the candle on the bedside table and felt her forehead. Her skin felt hot and dry. Her cheeks were flushed. But her teeth were chattering.
“Azure, we must get to Bellwood before the fiend finds out and comes after us…”
Maman, where are you?” Emitting another cry, Selena thrashed from side to side. “I’m safe but where are you,Maman?”
“Good God!” Alarmed, Gerald yanked the bellpull by the bed to alert the servants.
Was she having a nightmare or was she reliving a horror she’d gone through?
“Selena, it’s Gerald. Can you hear me?”
She continued to moan and move restlessly, her eyes still closed.
He reached for a cloth and dampened it with water from the pitcher on the bedside table. Sitting on the edge of the bed, he began to gently bathe her face and neck.
He couldn’t understand it. Despite her lack of memory, Selena had seemed to be doing well. When Doctor Baker had examined her yesterday morning, he’d affirmed that she did indeed have amnesia, resulting from her fall, but he was optimistic that as she healed, her memory would return.
Gerald had regretted rushing out of her room yesterday morning after Anna had arrived with the breakfast tray. He’d hastily washed and dressed and then tackled a few chores, trying to get his mind off of…her.
Selena had taken hold of his thoughts since her impromptu arrival. The night of the rainstorm she’d been soaked and covered in dirt and mud from her fall. Gerald could barely tell what she looked like. After he’d brought her to the guest room and then left her in the capable hands of Mrs. Evans and the maids, he’d returned after Doctor Baker had concluded his examination.
Walking into the room, he’d beheld a vision that had left him breathless.
