“No,” he shook his head. “I mean, I don’t know, there were some—”
He started, but Mr. Trent’s voice didn’t allow him to finish. Both William and Rose looked in the direction where the voice was coming from, as Mr. Trent approached them with a hurried step. He bent down, helping William up on his feet, patting him on the shoulder.
“My word, old boy, you had us all worried there for a moment,” Mr. Trent spoke with as much relief as Rose. “You know, you were fortunate that I was on my way for a visit, as I promised, so I was nearby when the fire broke out. I rushed inside, shouting for help, and just as I dragged you outside, Mr. Hancock joined me in bringing you to safety.”
William’s eyes widened in incredulity at what he had just heard. Rose listened with as much disbelief. She couldn’t imagine the other scenario, the one where fate did not have Mr. Trent come for a visit. She wondered if Mr. Hancock would arrive in time to save him. She shuddered at the thought of losing this man, although she didn’t even have him. Not in the real sense of the word.
“I don’t know what to say,” William spoke, his voice betraying him.
“I am just happy no one got hurt,” Mr. Trent announced importantly, glancing at Rose every once in a while, which she took as an insinuation that he knew something was taking place between her and William. Come to think of it, anyone who was there for the fire could have seen the same. She had betrayed their secret without meaning to and now she was wondering how William would take it.
“You must stay for dinner,” William urged. “And spend the night here.”
“Oh, no,” Mr. Trent shook his head. “I don’t wish to cause any trouble.”
“You not only haven’t caused any trouble, but you have prevented it, Stephen,” William reminded him. “Please, allowme to extend my gratitude by being a good host to a good friend. Please…”
“Well, all right then,” Mr. Trent finally agreed, once again throwing a casual, but amused glance in Rose’s direction.
That time, however, she felt as if William didn’t need her any longer. Whatever happened, they would discuss it privately.
She took a step back, addressing William. “Your Grace, I am very happy to see that you are safe and sound. If you do not need me any longer, I shall go and see if Mr. Hancock needs any help.”
“Oh, yes… Thank you, Rose,” William said, slightly taken aback by her comment, almost having forgotten that she was even there. She attributed it to his disoriented state of mind and didn’t take it against him. Instead, she smiled, curtsied and withdrew, leaving the two men alone, while her own troubled mind and heart plagued her beyond recognition.
Chapter 17
William inhaled deeply, looking at the burnt down barn. He reminded himself that at least no one got hurt… this time.
“How about a strong drink, old friend?” he suggested to Stephen, who immediately nodded.
“I think that is exactly what we need at a moment like this,” Stephen agreed, as the two men found their way back into the mansion, entering the drawing room.
Even the air inside seemed heavy with a faint scent of smoke, a lingering reminder of the ordeal that they had just endured. As they entered, William’s gaze fell on the decanter of brandy resting on the sideboard. He reached for it with a steady hand, his movements deliberate yet tinged with a sense of weariness. Memories of Rose’s tender touch and whispered words still lingered in his mind, comforting him in the midst of turmoil.
With a quiet sigh, he uncorked the decanter and poured two generous measures of brandy into crystal glasses, the amber liquid glinting softly in the candlelight. His motions were fluid, instinctive, as if he were lost in the rhythm of the task. As he handed a glass to Mr. Trent, their eyes met briefly, a silent acknowledgment passing between them. They both knew the weight of the events that had transpired, the uncertainty of what lay ahead.
Stephen took a sip of his drink, the edge of his glass lingering a moment or two just a few inches away from his lips, as his eyes refused to leave William’s side.
“That servant girl outside…” Stephen started, pausing purposely.
“You mean Rose?” William inquired.
“Yes, I forgot her name,” Stephen patted his forehead amusedly. “A nice girl. I met her on the way here the first time I came to visit you. Very helpful.”
“She is,” William nodded.
Stephen tilted his head a little as he spoke. “But with you, it seems she is even more than that.”
William’s brow furrowed. “What do you mean?”
“I mean, she seems to be more than a servant girl,” Stephen clarified. “The way she tended to you while you were unconscious…”
“Oh,” William said, his blood boiling at the memory of opening his eyes and seeing her above him, like a vision of an angel. “Sheis a healer, and so is her aunt. I suppose it is a healing character trait.”
“No, no, old boy,” Stephen shook his head. “There is more to that. She was caressing you and whispering to you.”
William shrugged seemingly indifferently, but inside, his heart was ablaze. She was caressing him? Whispering to him? He wanted to remember all of that, but he couldn’t. It was all a dark haze of nothingness.
