Read Christmas at Ravencrest: A Dark Hero Christmas Short (Reluctant Heroes) for Free Online

wanted to prove to Chloe and to herself that she could tie a bow, even with one hand. It was folly; trying to draw the loop tight with two fingers while tugging at the opposite loop with her thumb proved impossible. She attempted the feat several times, even using the elbow of her arm tied in splints to hold the bow down while trying to pull the loops with her good hand, only to swear under her breath as she tossed the fourth messy bow aside. It was a waste of half an hour before she finally stood and went to the bell pull, yanking it with vigor to summon a maid to help Chloe finish her decorating project.
    A fter quelling the minor storm that buffeted her friend’s afternoon, Elizabeth once again attempted to escape to her beloved library for a few moments peace. She’d just begun to read a new book that morning, The Italian by Mrs. Radcliffe, another Gothic delight recently published from that worthy lady.  Elizabeth wanted to find out what was going to happen to the heroine.
    “My lady?” Sally, the head maid below the stairs, intercepted her. “Could you come to stables, we’ve a serious prob lem? Its little Gavin. He’s got spots on himself, Mum.”
    Oh, for heaven’s sake ! Why was it every time she attempted to gain a quiet moment in her private sanctuary someone required her attentions. If she didn’t know better she’d think the household were plotting together to keep her from obtaining the solitude she craved.
    “Why haven’t you sought out his lordship? He is a physician.” She countered.
    “He’s out at the moment, mum. I didn’t know what to do. Johnny’s awfully scared for his little brother.” Sally, surprisingly, sounded as if she might start to cry.
    “Does he have a fever?” Elizabeth asked, concerned for the child.
    “ I believe so but it’s so hard to tell, mum. He has red spots, though, all over his face, his arms, everywhere, my lady.” Sally’s voice rose and trembled. “Oh, mum. Johnny’s parents died of the red fever. He can’t lose little Gavin, not after all they’ve come through.”
    The news made her hea rt grow tight. Gavin was the youngest stable boy. He was held hostage by her stepfather last week and had as yet not spoken a word since the incident. Now he was sporting a fever and mysterious spots? Following Sally, she hurried out to the stables and up the stairs to the loft where Johnny O’Reilly and his two younger brothers resided.
    The tall young man with ash blonde hair and brown eyes was of an equal age with Elizabeth, being just eighteen. O’Reilly had worked for Donovan for several years already, having gone from stable lad to head stable master. “Oh, Madame, thank you for coming. He’s in the other room. I made him take his shirt off so you might see the spots. It don’t look good, mum.” 
    She went into the small bedchamber where three cots were lined up. Gavin was sitting on the farthest near the window. The child was eight years old. “I’m sorry, my lady.”
    “ Gavin !” Elizabeth knelt before him and touched his cheek. This was the first time the child spoke since that terrifying incident last week. “Oh, dear. What is this?” She gazed at the red spots on his face. They were bright red, just as the maid reported. She touched Gavin’s brow. He was cool and dry to the touch, odd in this climate.
    “They made me do it.” Gavin whispered. He was gazing at her with sad, woe filled eyes.
    “What, dear est?” She asked, cupping his cheek. “Who made you do what?”
    “Johnny, and his new sweetheart, Sally. Did you know they’ve been kissing in secret?”
    “No, I didn’t.” She admitted. What the servants did in secret should concern her, but at this moment, she was more concerned with Gavin’s predicament. “Are they sweet on each other?” She asked, as she rose from her crouched position to sit on the bed next to him. As she spoke, she leaned away to inspect the curious spots on his back.
    “Oh, yes. They go walking in the