“Myestate is just up ahead on the other side of that hill,” he shouted over the wind.
Shenodded; her teeth were chattering, and she was shivering.Hemoved closer to her to try to protect her from the worst of the gale.Heshould have placed her in front of him on his horse, but it would have slowed down their progress.
Ashe rode down the other side of the hill, he spotted the gate and brick wall of his property up ahead.Theroad that led to the manor was flanked by a row of trees on each side.Therewas so much snow that he could no longer even see the road.
Hegestured to her to follow him to the stables.Leapingoff his horse, he reached forLucyand lifted her to the ground.
“Th-th-thank y-y-you,”Lucysaid through chattering teeth.Sheclutched the satchel tighter. “W-w-would you mind if we bring the fox into the house?”
Hegave her a distracted nod as he guided the horses into separate stalls in the stable.Whilehe hadn’t planned to bring the fox into the manor, he couldn’t relegate the poor animal to the stable.Henoticed there were fresh oats in the barn and a fresh bale of hay, which was a boon for the horses.He’dinstructed his man of business to hire a groundskeeper for the estate, but that was only to keep an eye on things until he could get there.Theolder man was supposed to have started a few weeks ago.Hewould have hired a few more servants had he known he would be going there today.Buthe hadn’t anticipatedLucy…or the fox.
“Thiswill only be my second visit here.Ihad planned to visit before leavingSussex—but only after the party.”
“Ican see the house beneath the overgrowth of ivy.”Shesounded excited. “It’slovely.Itlooks like pink brick and a white stone.Andthe rose bushes beneath it were probably beautiful at one time—and could be again.Whywould it be abandoned?”
“Ihaven’t determined the exact reason.Itmay have to do with the death of my great-uncle’s wife.Shortlyafter she died in childbirth, he became disinterested in his properties and moved to theLondontownhouse—the only property that’s been maintained.Nothingelse was given much attention.”
“That’sso sad,” she said. “It’stoo bad you don’t know more about your great-uncle and great-aunt.Itsounds like such a lovely love story.”
Stubbornand soft-hearted, this one. “Idon’t know about it being a love story,” he said gruffly. “Come,I’lltake you into the house so you can warm up.I’llhelp you find something to use for bedding for the fox.Then,I’llreturn to the stable and take care of the horses.Ineed to make sure they have fresh water, oats, and plenty of hay.”
“Butit’s still morning…” she started.
“True.Butyou have a sick fox.And,”Rowanmotioned towards the door of the stable. “It’sstill snowing, and we need to get you out of this storm soIcan take care of your ankle.Judgingfrom the darkness of those clouds,Iexpect our visit will be longer than we anticipated.”
“Well!Ifwe are going to stay here, the horses aren’t the only ones who will need water.Isee a bucketIcan use to gather snow,”Lucysaid.
Heshook his head. “No.I’llbring the snow in after we get the fire started,”Rowansaid with a shake of his head.Heoffered her his arm.Theireyes met, and he could see the hesitancy in her eyes as she worried her lower lip.Itwas distracting, to say the least.Shetook a step forward, and she slipped, crying out in alarm.Shewould have fallen had he not swept her up into his arms.
“I’vegot you,” he whispered as she grasped his coat.
“Thankyou.That’stwice you’ve saved me from a terrible fall.WhoknewI’dmeet a knight in shining armor today?” she whispered.
Hereyes gazed at him with wide-eyed wonder, her full lips parted, with a breathy sigh…Allhe had to do was lean down a few inches and claim those lips in a searing kiss.Heknew she’d welcome it.Healways knew when a woman wanted to be kissed.Andhe certainly wanted to kiss her…Asudden gust of wind caused one of the stall doors to slam. “I’llcarry you inside before you catch a chill,” he said, clearing his throat.Hisprimary concern should be getting her warm, setting her ankle, and making sure the animals were tended to.Everythingelse would have to wait.
CHAPTER FIVE
SCARBOROUGH MANOR
TheEarlofScarborough.Sheknew who he was, of course.RowanGarrison.Hisreputation preceded him.She’dheard all the stories about him.Menspoke in awe of his courage on dangerous missions.Womenfanned themselves as they whispered about his infamous affairs with notorious women.Well, she had no idea if half the stories were true, but he certainly was the most handsome man she’d ever seen.
Heset her down and pulled out a key, unlocking the door leading from the stable to the back of the large house.Thedoor creaked open, andRowanmuttered something about needing to oil the hinges and placing that note on his list.
Howodd that such a man kept a list.She’dalways kept lists as well.Ithelped her focus her thoughts and goals.
Hepicked her up again and carried her to a room that most likely was the parlor.Gently, he set her down on a sheet-covered armchair.
“Doy-you think they w-will m-miss us?” she asked, trying to control her chattering teeth.
“Lathamand the others?”
Shenodded, trying to control the chill and her chattering.
“Weneed to warm things up in here,” he said as he lifted an armload of dried, cut wood from a pile next to the hearth and laid it in the empty grate in the fireplace. “Inanswer to your question…Ido think they will miss us.Butthis storm seemed to come out of nowhere.Andit’s still going on.Itwould put our lives in jeopardy to try to make it back at this point.NorwouldLathamorSliceandNelsonbe venturing out, either.Theyknow better.Butthey also know me.I’msure they spoke with the stableboy and others who saw us ride in the same direction.Ifso, they’ll not worry that you are with me.I’llkeep you safe.”Hetossed a piece of paper over the spark he had created and gently blew on the small fire that emerged.Finally, it took hold. “Ahh.Thisis much better.Withthis storm,Ifeel fortunate to have dry wood.”Hepulled out his pocket watch. “Bynow, they will have realized we are gone.Myvalet and your maid…they would have reported it.”
“Ineed to see to the horses.I’llbe back as soon asIcan.Andwe’ll see to that ankle.Stayput.”
Lucynodded her thanks.Itseemed as if he’d wanted to say something more to her but then turned and strode out the door.Sheset the satchel on her lap and unbuckled it.Takingthe small creature out, she held it close to her chest and petted its soft fur.Thesmall fox regarded her with a curious expression.
