“Let go of me,” she gasped and kicked out behind her. Cold fingers attempted to cover her mouth, but she redoubled her efforts not to surrender. Clamping her teeth down hard on the fingers that pushed harshly against her lips, she bit mercilessly into the soft flesh. She hung on to the door frame for dear life and kicked out behind her once more. A heavy grunt met her ears and gave her the courage to redouble her efforts while she waited for someone – anyone – to save her.
“Help!” She screamed again, weeping with relief when the sound of running footsteps came from the depths of the house somewhere.
Suddenly, the hands at her waist vanished. Rapid footsteps behind her were followed by a rush of cold air night air. She turned around in time to watch the dark figure climb swiftly through the window and vanish silently into the night. A sob escaped her as she slumped onto the floor, terrified and trembling. For the life of her she couldn’t have stood up and remained where she was when several of the staff came rushing toward her.
“There was an intruder in my room. He went out there,” she gasped, swallowing against the bile that rose in her throat. She lifted a trembling hand to point toward the window.
“Go and find him,” Isaac ordered several footmen as he knelt down beside her and patted her hand in a fatherly manner. “Are you hurt?”
She watched as several footmen immediately launched down the stairs in pursuit of their quarry while another hurried past them toward the window. Relieved that help was now at hand, she began to feel considerably calmer.
“He got in through the window. I closed the shutters, but he got through them somehow,” she whispered.
“Ursula? What on earth has happened dear?” Adelaide demanded as she hurried across the hallway. The sympathy on her aunt’s face immediately made Ursula begin to cry again. She couldn’t stem the flood of tears as she gave in to the fear that swamped her and leant against her aunt while Isaac explained what had happened.
“I will get the locks on the windows changed first thing in the morning,” Adelaide declared in her usual unflappable manner.
Ursula nodded but doubted she would ever feel safe sleeping in London ever again.
“Did he hurt you?” Adelaide asked with a frown. “Go and fetch a doctor, Isaac.”
“No, please don’t. It’s not necessary,” Ursula countered. “I don’t need a doctor. There is nothing he could do for a fright. I am fine; just a little shaken.”
“You need a sleeping draught to help you settle,” Adelaide declared knowingly.
That was the last thing Ursula needed, but she knew her aunt’s intentions were good and so forced a soft smile of reassurance. “I am fine, thank you, really, but a doctor isn’t necessary.”
Thankfully, Adelaide’s attention was diverted by the return of several of the footmen, who looked apologetically at both women.
“He came through the back gate, ma’am. There was a ladder at the window. It appears he got in that way but there is no sign of him now. A couple of the men are securing the window, but I doubt he will be back,” one of the footmen reported.
“There, see?” Adelaide crooned soothingly. “He has gone. I am sure that everything will be all right now. He won’t dare come back given he was nearly caught.”
Ursula nodded and pushed to her feet. Although she was still trembling, she refused to allow Adelaide to see just how scared she was because the doctor would be sent for.
“I am sorry,” she murmured around a fake yawn.
“It’s not your fault, dear,” Adelaide retorted. “Now, I suggest you try to get some sleep. After a fright like that you must be exhausted.”
Ursula nodded and went back to bed. Once she was alone again she settled the covers around her but sleep eluded her. The window and shutters were now closed, but knowing they were secure now did little to ease her lingering fear. Her gaze returned again and again to the darkened corner of the room where the shadow had once stood and she knew it would be some time before she was able to at least rest.
Rather that extinguish the candle, she placed it onto the table beside the bed, and stared into space while she tried to think about something else. Unfortunately, the more she tried to think of something else, the more her mind was drawn back to the memory of that darkened shadow in the corner of her room.
The only distinguishing features she could remember about him were that he was of medium build and medium height. It wasn’t much help when trying to find out the identity of the person who had assaulted her in the middle of the night.
The following morning, Trenton paced up and down the morning room while he waited for Adelaide and Ursula to appear.
“Good morning, Trenton.”
He spun around, but was disappointed when Adelaide entered the room alone. It was on the tip of his tongue to demand to know where Ursula was, but warned himself that patience was supposed to be a virtue.
“Please accept my apologies for calling by unannounced,” he declared with a quick bow.
“It’s all right, Trenton. You are most welcome to call by any time, I hope you know that.”
“Is Miss Proctor not about?” he asked, casting a hopeful glance at the door.
“I am afraid not.” Adelaide seemed to hesitate for a moment before she slumped wearily into a chair before the fire. She waved to the seat opposite and waited for Trenton to sit.