“There, My Lady. His Grace will take care of this matter,” Mrs. Bancroft said. “I will see you inside to your own ladies’ maid while My Lord speaks to your father. This will be all behind you soon enough and you won’t ever have to think on it again!”
“I am forever indebted to both of you!” Harriet said, crying softly. “To suddenly realize that I was in very real peril, and to look around and have no idea where my home lay, that was the worst feeling I’ve ever endured!”
“There now, you have nothing more to fear,” the old Duke said gently. “You’ve come through a terrible ordeal unscathed, and I daresay, you’ve shown yourself to be a noble, brave young lady!”
Harriet smiled, painfully aware that had anyone else come to retrieve her, the ruin to her reputation would never be alleviated. These kind souls, on the other hand, seemed more understanding than many of her own peers. A small part of her heart thought that perhaps this would all turn out for the best.
Chapter 19
“Here you are,” Evan said, shaking Marjorie gently. Unaccustomed to such physical labor, even if it was wonderful to spend her day riding and tending to horses, she’d dozed off on the way home.
Marjorie sat up and blinked. Darkness had fallen, and she felt confused as to how much time had passed. How had she gotten here? Oh, that’s right. Still dressed in her men’s clothes, she felt bewildered for a few moments.
“Stay here, and keep hidden,” Evan cautioned. “I’ll fetch someone to help you inside. I know it will be difficult to do as I ask, but please don’t attempt to walk with your ankle so injured.” He gave her a knowing smile, waiting for her to argue.
Marjorie offered no resistance. Apparently pleased with her willingness to stay put, he nodded firmly and headed towards the house, instinctively turning towards the kitchens instead of the ornate pathway that led to the front of the house. For a moment, Marjorie had a bitter, fleeting thought: how many times has he carried a girl home only to sneak her in through the back of the house?
Stop it, she thought, chastising herself.He’s done you a great service. He could have revealed your true identity and let you fend for yourself!
While he was gone, Marjorie chanced to think of some of the many ways that he’d already proven himself to be far nobler than that. What was it he’d said as he left his mother’s table? That the staff had worked too hard and he was going to relieve them? And had he not taken heed of her advice—despite being undermined in front of his employees—when she’d refused to let someone else tend to Winter?
When had she last encountered such a genuine, well-intentioned, considerate person? Marjorie struggled to recall, only to feel the wave of disappointment from realizing that not so many people were as caring as he.
Marjorie glanced towards the house and saw that Evan returned with Diana, whom she’d told him to ask for. Together, they hurried towards the carriage.
“My Lady, look at you!” Diana gushed. “What have you done to yourself now? I’ve seen you come back from a ride with all manner of scrapes and hurts, but none so serious as this!”
“I’ll be all right, Diana. I just need some help into the house.” Marjorie started to climb down from the carriage but Evan intervened. He tenderly put Marjorie’s arm over his shoulders and threaded his other hand behind her, then lifted her effortlessly. She’d expected him to set her on the ground after testing the strength of her ankle, but he did not. Instead, he began carrying her towards the door.
“Your Lordship, I’m able to walk,” she said somewhat shyly, aware—and fairly grateful—that Diana was watching.
“Not on that ankle. It’s bad enough you’ll have to manage the stairs to your room. The very least I can do is spare you the distance to the door.” He continued walking until he’d passed through the brick archway that led to the rear of the house, stopping only when Diana reached the door and held it open.
Evan gently lowered Marjorie to the ground, letting her get her footing before releasing his hold on her. The strangeness of having someone she knew so little—and admired so much—standing so close to her, actually touching her, was both alarming and thrilling.
“Thank you again, Your Lordship,” Marjorie finally said, ducking her head shyly, aware that Diana was still nearby. “You’ve done me a great kindness. I’ll send someone to retrieve our horse from your stable as soon as I can.”
“Oh, I’d nearly forgotten!” Evan replied, surprised. “It will be my honor to tend to it until you are well. In fact, I’ll return him myself straight away.”
“I couldn’t possibly trouble you like that—”
“It’s not a trouble at all, My Lady. It will be a nice excuse to pay a visit in a more proper way.”
His attempt at a serious expression was betrayed by a hint of a mischievous smile, and Marjorie could feel herself blushing just from the words. Thankfully, the darkness provided her enough cover to avoid him seeing the rising color in her cheeks.
“Well then… good night.” Marjorie took Diana’s outstretched arm and made her way inside, then managed to take a few hobbled steps before whispering, “Is he gone?”
Diana glanced over her shoulder before lifting her hand in a slight wave. “No, My Lady. He’s still standing there, staring like a pup who’s lost its way.”
“Why?” Marjorie asked, her eyes widening in alarm. “Why isn’t he leaving?”
“Well, I cannot possibly know the depths of his mind, but if I had to guess… I’d say he’s rather enjoying watchingyou,” Diana laughed softly, then added, “and if I might be so bold, there are quite a few that I’d enjoying watching so much as His Lordship.”
“Diana! I’m surprised at you!” Marjorie said, laughing in spite of her sudden shock.
“I know,” the maid said with a sigh before erupting in a fit of quiet giggling. “But you’re in no position to talk about propriety at the moment! At least not while wearing men’s breeches with a tear in the backside! I only thought that this might be my singular opportunity to say something untoward in your presence!”
“I suppose I’ll allow it just this once,” Marjorie said, pretending to sniff in disdain. “But only because he is rather pleasing to look at, is he not?”
