“No. I’m afraid you’re stuck with me for now.” His smile was teasing.
She followed Mrs. Lamb to a large bedchamber filled with plush furniture. The carpet was soft beneath her bare feet, but when she looked down, they were covered in dirt, even on the top.
“I’m sorry, Mrs. Lamb. I fear I may have tracked dirt onto the rug.”
“That’s what happens to rugs,” she said with a shrug. “They are for walking on, afterall.”
Why was everyone being so kind? She didn’t understand.
“Would you like me to have a bath readied?”
Madelene shook her head quickly. “No, thank you.” She wasn’t ready to face that yet, even if it wasn’t ice cold.
A young maid bustled into the room.
“Molly, please fetch a basin of warm water along with a cloth and soap for Miss Madelene.”
A wave of dizziness swept through her. Now that Madelene was safe and warm, the emotions she’d been holding down erupted like champagne out of a bottle. Fear ripped through her, and panic descended with such force, her knees nearly buckled. What was going to happen to her?
“Are you alright, dear?” Mrs. Lamb guided her to the nearby chair. “Why don’t you sit down?”
Madelene dropped into the chair, gasping, and the housekeeper crouched before her. All she could do was shake her head, wanting this to end. She wanted to go home, even if her father did hate her. At least there, she knew what to expect. I’m sorry. I’m sorry. She continued to speak the words inside her mind. Her lips began to tingle and soon, everything outside of her raging terror ceased to exist.
“Mr. Allister.” A maid stood in the doorway, her eyes wide with worry. “It’s Miss Madelene.”
Simon took the stairs two at a time, and as soon as he entered the corridor at the top he could hear her distress. Following his ears, he rushed to her side. It was a sight he’d seen too many times. She sat in a chair, gasping desperately for breath, her eyes wide but unseeing.
“Excuse me, Mrs. Lamb.” She scurried to get out of his way.
He placed his hand around the back of Madelene’s neck. “Bend forward and put your head between your knees.”
Not surprisingly, she didn’t follow his instructions. They never did. She was too lost in her panic to hear him. As gently as he could, he pushed forward, forcing her to fold down on herself, trying to stop her from fainting.
He spoke softly into her ear. “Madelene, it’s Simon. I’m here with you. You’re safe. I promise no one is going to hurt you.” He’d done this so many times with women he’d removed from abusive homes, but for some reason he hadn’t been prepared for it this time.
She hadn’t even managed to remove his coat before being overcome. He reached up into the sleeve, took hold of her hand, and squeezed. “Slow your breathing, Madelene. I know you can do it. Just slow it down. Everything is going to be alright.” He spoke slowly, hoping she might be able to feed off of his own energy.
Eventually, she stopped fighting against him and her body gradually relaxed. He loosened his grip on her neck and carefully massaged the taut muscles. “You’re doing so well, Madelene.”
Gradually, her rapid breathing eased. “I’m sorry, Simon,” she whispered.
“You’ve nothing to apologize for.” Slowly, he helped her to sit up. When he was sure she was steady, he ushered the maid and housekeeper from the room and closed the door. She didn’t need onlookers right now.
A basin of water sat on the table along with a washcloth, soap, and a towel. Undoubtedly, for her dirty feet. He carried them over and knelt before her.
Her eyes widened and he could see panic rising again. “Relax, Madelene. I’m not going to do anything to hurt you. I promise.”
“I know you won’t hurt me, but what are you going to do with that?” She gestured toward the basin of water as if it were an asp that might strike if it got too close.
Simon smiled. “I’m going to wash the dirt off your feet.”
She shook her head frantically. “You can’t do that, Simon.”
“Hush now. I’m perfectly capable of it, I assure you.”
She continued to shake her head. “But I’m not worthy of it.”
Simon stopped and sat back on his heels. Why were so many women hurt by the men who were supposed to care for them? “I don’t know who told you that, Madelene, but they were wrong.”
