A Spinster's Awakening (A New Adventure Begins - Star Elite 2)

“Who are you?” Angus snarled.

To his disbelief, in his confused state, Angus blinked only to find the space before him completely empty. He cursed virulently. His finger twitched on the trigger of his gun. He stepped in a random circle, away from the spot where he had once stood, just in case his attacker tried to circle around and attack him from behind again. When nothing moved or stirred, Angus ventured toward the edge of the woods.

“Damn you,” he snarled when he saw the now re-hooded figure race down the main street of the village.

Angus contemplated giving chase, but when he even looked back at the woods behind him they swirled around him and threatened to encase him in a thick fog of gloom that was overwhelming. He knew he would end up face down in the middle of the street if he tried to follow the man.

“Now that I have seen you, it is only a matter of time,” he whispered. “I will find you,” he promised.

With that, he promptly passed out cold.

CHAPTER TEN

“But you cannot go alone. It is not safe to walk the streets at night,” Gertrude objected.

“How do you intend to get home then,” Charity challenged impatiently.

“I am going to go with Edwina. You know we only live two doors away from each other,” Gertrude argued.

“I only live five minutes away,” Charity countered.

“If you just wait for a few minutes more I am sure your young man will be here. He has just been delayed for some reason, you’ll see,” Augusta smiled. “My Henry will be here soon. We can see Alice and Agatha home, and you too, Charity, if Angus has been waylaid.”

Charity nodded but struggled to know what to say. Her thoughts were locked on Angus, and what could have delayed him. While she couldn’t be certain because of their relatively brief acquaintance, Charity suspected Angus would never just forget to fetch her or change his mind. He had been so adamant about her staying safe that he would never allow her to venture home all by herself.

“Something is wrong, I just know it,” she whispered, more to herself than to her friends.

Deep in the pit of her stomach, she knew something had happened to Angus.

“Well, why don’t we all take you home, then we can find out what has happened to him? Given he has been up and about practically every night, maybe he has fallen asleep?” Agatha offered encouragingly.

“Yes, you know how these men can be. Give them a belly full of food and a nice warm fire, they put their feet up and are snoring away like old Billy Craddock’s donkey,” Augusta snorted. “I am sure your Angus is the same.”

“He isn’t my Angus,” Charity protested. “He is here to investigate one or two of the villagers. Once he is satisfied nobody here is responsible for the kidnaps they will all move on, and I will be on my own again.”

Charity winced. Even she could hear the somewhat lost tinge to her voice, and it fuelled her with acute embarrassment. She was painfully aware of the knowing looks and worried sighs that rippled around the small group.

“I am sure your man won’t just up and leave. Why, he is most protective of you,” Edwina murmured.

“Yes. Someone who worries about you enough to escort everywhere you go will not just up sticks and move away. You’ll see, if he does have to leave he won’t be gone for long.” Monika patted her hand in a gesture that was so uncharacteristic of her that Charity felt tears sting her eyes.

Even Monika looked surprised by her instinctive compassion. For a moment, neither woman knew what to say. All Charity could do was nod.

“I cannot help but feel that something has gone wrong,” she whispered more to herself than to her friends.

“Then let’s get you home. I am sure you will find him keeping watch on the neighbour’s house. I am sure he has just forgotten the time. Men tend to forget things like this you know?” Augusta murmured. Even she didn’t sound convinced.

“Something might have happened while you were here,” Edwina suggested.

“What?” Charity demanded sharply.

“No. We would have heard a commotion, surely?” Agatha blustered, outraged that she might have missed such a spectacular event.

“God, I hope not,” Charity moaned.

She was truly starting to wonder if Angus was all right. She had no idea where the thought had come from that all was not well, but it wouldn’t leave her, not until she saw Angus again, hale and hearty.

“I need to get home,” Charity muttered.