Free Capturing Sir Dunnicliffe (The Star Elite Series) by Rebecca King Page A

peace with the world than he had for many years. With a sigh, his eyes firmly locked on Harriett’s, Hugo fell into a deep, untroubled sleep.

CHAPTER FOUR
     
     
    The following morning Harriett had to leave the protection of the cottage to check that Hugo’s horse was all right, and tend to her neglected garden. There were herbs she needed to gather to make tisanes for Hugo, who was still sleeping soundly, and some of the plants were in desperate need of some water. It had rained recently, but it wasn’t enough for the thirsty plants.
    S he had checked on Hugo several times during the night, unsurprised to find he had remained undisturbed throughout. Having changed the poultice on his wound, Harriett had been relieved to note that there was no sign of infection. It hadn’t yet started to heal, but at least it wasn’t bleeding any more. She had cleaned it as best she could, and applied a new poultice, while Hugo had been sleeping, blessedly oblivious to any discomfort she was causing.
    Closing the door carefully behind her, she drew in a deep breath of sea air, enjoying being outside. Gulls dipped and soared high in the cloudless skies above. The stiff breeze coming off the sea was chilly, but the brilliant sunshine banished any cold to the very fringes of consciousness.
    Harriett tugged her shawl tighter around her shoulders and began her chores, spending several moments stroking and talking to Hugo’s curious mount , who had wandered over to the fence for some attention.
    Time passed as she carefully worked her way down the neatly tended rows of herbs and plants lining her garden. She tutted and sighed when she saw large boot marks in the soil. It was enough to prompt her to weed her beloved plants and turn over the soil around them, obliterating all trace of Hugo having been there. It was close to noon when she suddenly became aware of a dark shadow blocking out the sunshine.
    Instinctively she knew that this was the reason she had experienced such deep feelings of foreboding over the past few days. Her stomach tightened nervously as she sat back and looked up at the new arrival.
    “Hello, miss,” the man offered jovially.
    Harriett nodded once, briskly, and rose to her feet. All her instincts were screaming at her that this was a dangerous man. Although his smile was wide and welcoming, his eyes didn’t match his friendly demeanour. She watched as they darted this way and that, scanning the area around them, clearly looking for something – or someone. The small hairs on the back of her neck rose as she studied him. He was smaller than average height, and thin, with small narrow eyes that were so dark, at first glance they appeared almost black; soulless eyes that were now glinting menacingly at her. There was something almost feral about him that warned her that this man was someone who could strike at any time.
    She knew without asking, that this most probably was the man who had shot Hugo.
    Silence stretched between them for several long moments . The man was clearly waiting for Harriett to launch into conversation, or enquire what he wanted. Harriett wasn’t prepared to make things any easier for him, and stubbornly remained silent and watchful.
    Eventually the man relented and , with an awkward cough, shuffled forward a little. Harriett knew he was trying to intimidate her by moving closer, but refused to be cowed by him and remained perfectly still. She knew her instincts were right when she caught sight of the brief frown that marred his brow for one infinitesimal second, before it was gone and replaced with the overly bright grin once more.
    “I wonder if you could help me? Is that your horse?” he asked, nodding to the horse in the field behind them who was watching them with interest.
    Harriett nodded and waited.
    “It looks very much like my friend’s horse, you see,” the man shuffled forward once more until he was mere inches away from Harriett, who could feel his hot breath on her face when