Page 226 of Ten Lords for the Holidays

The entire time she’d been on the ice, fear had been a fist at her throat, choking her. But she’d made herself continue; one hand, then the next, one knee, then the other. She could not allow the boy to drown simply because she nearly had, years ago.

Though the moment she’d realized that she must be the one to crawl out upon the frozen Serpentine had nearly paralyzed her with terror.

Breathe, she’d told herself.Don’t think of the water waiting below.

The only thing that had made it bearable was the solid, steady presence of Prince Sebastian. He’d stripped off his muffler and greatcoat without a second thought. If the ice had broken beneath her, she knew he would’ve immediately plunged in to save her.

That knowledge had enabled her to move forward, gloved hands slipping on the ice, air burning her throat, until at last she’d been close enough to throw Hetty’s cloak to the boy.

But the moment Sebastian had pulled her to safety, she could not stop imagining being trapped beneath the ice, with no air, and the dark water pulling her down…

“Turn here,” Hetty said to the prince.

Eliana shook herself. The ordeal was over, and it was foolish to tangle herself into a useless knot of fear. She made herself take a deep breath—in, then out—and pay attention to their surroundings.

“It’s the town house ahead, on the right,” she told Sebastian. “That one, with the tree in the window.” The sight made her feel a tiny bit better.

He pulled the sleigh to a stop, then jumped out and handed Eliana down. She wanted to cling to his strength. Instead, she turned and hurried up the walk, her boots slipping in the snow, and raised the lion’s-head knocker on the front door.

It only took one rap before the butler opened the door.

“I’m sorry, Lewis,” she said, “but it’s rather an emergency. We pulled a child out of the Serpentine and he’s chilled half to death.”

Lewis, a staid old gentleman with a fringe of pure white hair, blinked at her a moment, then nodded.

“Of course, Miss Eliana,” he said. “Come in. Take the boy to the front parlor. I’ll notify Lord and Lady Ashford of your arrival, and send a groom out for the sleigh immediately.”

“Thank you,” she said, stepping into the house. The comforting smell of cinnamon and evergreens filled the air.

The prince followed, carrying an unconscious Theo, with Mrs. Pare close behind. Hetty brought up the rear, pausing a moment to speak with the butler.

“This way.” Eliana led them to the first door on the left and held it open while Prince Sebastian strode through.

“Is he breathing?” Mrs. Pare hovered at the prince’s elbow, gaze fastened on her young charge. “Oh, how I rue this day!”

Eliana followed them into the parlor and closed the door behind them. Thankfully, a fire burned warmly on the hearth. The tree in the window caught the afternoon sunlight. It sparkled with bead ornaments and strands of silver tinsel, almonds wrapped in gold foil, and thin, creamy candles in polished tin clips, waiting to be lit.

The prince went to his knees before the fire and gently laid Theo on the rug. Eliana snatched a pillow from the nearby settee and tucked it beneath the boy’s head, then smoothed his wet hair back from a forehead that was appallingly cold.

“Theo?” Mrs. Pare stripped off her gloves and took her charge’s hands, rubbing them briskly between her own. “Wake up, my dear boy.”

Eliana glanced at the tree, a glimmering blur behind the sudden tears in her eyes, and sent up a silent prayer to all the angels.Please, let the boy live.Next to her, Sebastian caught her gaze, his expression strained. The artificial darkness of his hair made his skin look pale.

“He’s barely breathing,” he said in a low voice.

She had no idea what to do. “Perhaps some spirits?”

“We must try.”

She rose, then swayed as the room spun. Sebastian sprang to his feet, one arm going about her shoulders to steady her. Eliana let herself rest against him a moment, grateful of the support.

Of course, her sister would pick that moment to step into the room.

Her gaze went to Eliana, then moved to the prince, and her eyes widened. Eliana took a step away from Sebastian, but it was too late.

To her credit, Selene said nothing about that improper embrace.

“How is the boy?” she asked instead. “I’ve sent for the doctor. And his parents, thanks to Hetty discovering their direction from Mrs. Pare.”

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