Winchester Abbey

Chapter Thirty-Three

Charlotte awoke to a cold, misty morning. Her heart was pounding, and her thoughts automatically went back to that mysterious guest. Seriously, she had a problem with obsessing, she told herself, slipping out of her nightgown and into one of her favorite dresses that reflected her mood for that day. It was a light cream with golden stripes and a twisted neckline which looked like something she would wear back in the day. The golden sash tied it off perfectly as she donned on a pair of her boots and slipped out for a walk before breakfast. It clearly wasn't time for breakfast. She doubted if anyone was even awake at that time of morning-it really was early and without her usual alarm clock, she found it hard to keep up with the time. Her fingers brushed the plastic case of her phone that she had stashed in a tight place within her corset. He wouldn't have called.

  She grew angry with herself.

Seriously, get over yourself, she cajoled, threading her way through the marshy grass and toward a path that she had seen disappear into the grounds of the estate. She hadn't realized that she had wandered so closely to Bloodwood until she caught sight of the dilapidated building in front of her. The fog hadn't lifted, although the warmth from the bright sun was beginning to worm its way through the trees and light up the pale sky.

  Creeping up to the windows as close as she dared, she peered inside. There was nothing significant except for a few boxes clearly labeled as Austenland. It makes sense that they would stash most of their gear inside Bloodwood. It was a perfect supplies house in case they needed some extra room. All of the small wooden boxes were piled high in one corner. Shaking off the feeling of being watched, Charlotte turned back around and made her way back to the manor in time to wash her muggy face and hands from the damp walk before breakfast.

  A knock on the door signaled her for breakfast. Making her way to the dining room, she noticed that Mary Catherine looked exhausted and there didn't seem to be any sign of Hannah.

  "Morning sickness started," Madi explained, catching sight of her confused expression. 

  "Ew," Charlotte replied, wrinkling her nose. They were almost to the dining room when the sight of someone down the hall made her freeze. Matthew was talking rather animatedly to Ms. Binley and waving his hands around as he explained something. In the empty hall, his words came floating easily to their ears as they turned to walk inside the dining room.

  "They are missing; I keep telling you that! I don't know what happened to them, and neither does James," Matthew said almost angrily.

  Charlotte listened for as long as she dared without it seeming obvious but the words were abruptly cut off as soon as they entered for breakfast.

  "Scumbag," Mary Catherine remarked, rolling her eyes and smiling assuredly at Charlotte. But it wasn't the fact that Matthew had toyed with her heart that Charlotte was intrigued and annoyed by his presence in the house. What had meant by "they were missing"? Had something of someone's been stolen? She thought back to her own belongings. Nothing of hers was missing as far as she knew.

  "Mrs. Simmons, can you pass me the rolls, please," Madison's voice interrupted Charlotte's musings.

  "Has anyone been missing anything of late?" she interrupted abruptly. The small talk around the table ceased immediately as everyone looked up in surprise.

  "Umm, no," Mary Catherine replied, blinking her eyes as if she couldn't focus right. "Why? You planning to steal something of mine?"

  "Not at all," Charlotte replied, staring at the butter dish as if it held the answers.

  Madison caught her look.

  "If you really want the butter, Char, just take it. But if you're secretly trying to become a ninja and take it without us noticing, then go ahead. I'd love to get some amusement out of today." Madison said teasingly.

  Charlotte did not take the bait but remained silent. If no one was missing anything, then what was Matthew talking about? And why did it even bother her so much?

  She rolled her shoulders back to shake the feeling that something was wrong and continued eating. Her mind soon forgot about it as the day's picnic idea entered the conversation.