Raven (Gentlemen of the Order 2)

“I’m to take the narrow path through the woods,” he said, somewhat astounded he had accepted the job. “Arrive under cover of darkness.”

“It is imperative no one knows you’re there.”

Finlay considered the names on the list.

A faint flicker of hope surfaced. A beacon in the blackness. A means to save a man from crashing into the rocky shore.

“With so few suspects, I doubt the investigation will take a week.” That said, the situation would prove unbearable. He might not last the night.

“I think you’ll find things are more complex.”

“Aren’t they always?”

The comment drew his mind to the sudden resurgence of his nightmares. Spending time in Sophia Adair’s company would bring the devil to his door. Indeed, he feared he hadn’t the strength to keep the beast at bay.

Chapter 2

Blackborne Wood

Windlesham, Surrey

There was something eerie about the woods surrounding Blackborne. It had n

othing to do with the strange rustling of nocturnal creatures foraging in the undergrowth, or the sudden twinkle of stunned eyes in the blackness. It wasn’t the sight of gnarled branches reaching for the heavens like arthritic fingers. Nor was it the stench of stagnant water, or the way the trees creaked and groaned in the breeze. It was the feeling of being watched by eyes Finlay couldn’t see, the feeling that something sinister crept behind him, ready to drive a blade into his back.

The faint glow of light in the distance brought some relief, though knowing Sophia Adair was waiting to greet him filled him with dread.

He had been given no specific time to arrive, told to come under cover of night. The other instructions were precise. Follow the path leading from the woods and head to the stables. Attend to his horse and then cross the cobbled yard. A servant named Blent would be waiting near the kennels to escort him to the house.

The strange presence clawing at his shoulders followed him to the old stables. Finlay dismounted and led Corvus through the beamed entrance and into a stall. The absence of a lantern and tinderbox forced him to work in the gloom. While the lack of light proved odd in itself, the fact there wasn’t another horse in the block roused his suspicion.

Due to the nature of his work, Finlay was used to ambushing strangers in the dark. But the dogs sensed his approach, their sharp barks warning Blent of his arrival.

“Mr Cole?” the man said, slinking from the shadows. A little agitated by the animals’ growls, he slammed the kennel door shut and gestured urgently for Finlay to continue along the gravel path.

“Yes. You must be Blent.”

“Yes, sir. I’m to escort you to the house. Let me take your saddle-bag.” The servant took the leather bag and fell into step beside Finlay. “Sorry about the hounds, sir. They get restless at night.”

Blent was a young, handsome man, tall and slender with a round jaw and a kind, apologetic face. With nothing more than the faint glow of moonlight to guide their way, it was impossible to make a more detailed assessment.

“I’d prefer a savage dog to one that cowers at intruders,” Finlay said, wondering why Lady Adair kept hunting dogs when she did not entertain gentlemen from town.

“It would take more than a vicious bark to scare those souls brave enough to venture through the woods, sir.”

“Then why keep hounds?”

Blent paused before saying with some apprehension, “To track Miss Draper, sir. She’s taken to sleepwalking, and I’ve trained the dogs to follow her scent.” The servant cleared his throat and added, “I’m not breaking a confidence. The mistress said I’m to speak openly, answer any questions.”

What a relief. Finlay had worked cases where information had been less than forthcoming. The truth always came to light in the end.

“How long has Miss Draper been sleepwalking?”

“Two months, I’d say.” Blent gestured to the path veering right, past the thatched cottage covered in rambling musk roses. The vibrant white blooms seemed at odds with the stark surroundings. “But it’s been worse these last few weeks.”

A host of questions flitted through Finlay’s mind, but he should be careful what he said to Blent. Until proven otherwise, the man was a suspect in the attempted abduction of Jessica Draper.

“Has Miss Draper suffered a recent trauma, something to explain the sudden change in her behaviour?” Finlay remembered Jessica as a pleasant girl with an endearing naivety.