Page 46 of Persuasions of an Earl's Daughter

“The horses?” he asked.

“Both fine.”

“The cottage?” If he’d slept through the damned building flooding, he’d never forgive himself.

“We’re too high here. The flooding is farther down the road.”

“God.” He pulled his shirt over his head, and it snagged on his unshaven jaw. Cold fingers aided him in tugging it down and Lilly efficiently tied up the laces at the collar.

“You’d make a good valet.”

“I’ve never tied a cravat in my life.”

“Good thing I’m not wearing one.” He grabbed his boots, sat on the chair, and shoved his feet into them. “You’ve been wading through puddles without me I take it?”

“There’s people trapped in the houses along the river.” She met his gaze. “It’s not good, August.”

Any lingering warmth he’d felt from a night of kisses and embraces vanished. He grabbed his jacket and eyed the thin spencer she wore.

“If you give up another jacket to me, I shall be forced to toss you in the river myself.” She straightened the damp sleeves of the brown jacket. “Besides, I could not move in yours.”

“Where are we going?” he asked as she marched downstairs.

From the interior of the parlor room, one could be entirely ignorant to the state of the village but as soon as he stepped outside, the extent of the devastation hit him like a tidal wave. He hadn’t realized how busy Oakfield could be until now. People hastened up and down the main street, barking orders, aiding people to dry ground, and hauling wheelbarrows and armfuls of belongings.

“Down here,” Lilly said, ducking into a narrow opening between two buildings.

He heard the rush of the swollen river before he saw the brown water dashing between buildings. Soon it was past his boots and soaking his feet as he waded through. Lilly’s skirts flowed around her, and he grabbed her hand when he felt the shove of the water for fear of her getting pushed away.

“This house.” She gestured frantically at a small, single story thatched cottage. Nausea tore at his gut when he spotted faces in the window.

“I tried getting the door open, but I couldn’t.” Lilly’s chin trembled. “There’s people in there, August, and the water is rising.”

Chapter Seventeen

The water surrounding the cottage had already been at hip height when she’d come upon the trapped family. As soon as she’d realized why Klara and Astrid weren’t cooking breakfast or sitting at the dining table, she’d rushed out. She discovered both ladies aiding some elderly village folk in moving to higher ground and determined she should do the same. The devastation at the far end of Oakfield stole her breath worse than the cold water sloshing up her gown.

The taller buildings in the village center survived the water that lapped at their stone steps but as she moved closer to the river, she came upon swirls of wooden debris crashing up against buildings. Household fabrics floated past. People struggled to wade through the water with families, pets and whatever they could carry upon their person. Many headed toward the church which remained untouched and looked likely to remain so. Soon these people would need warm blankets and food.

But for now, it was about getting everyone to safety.

Lilly pushed on the door, but the water level inside was almost the same as that on the outside and she had no more chance of pushing it open than she had earlier. August joined her efforts, and she pressed her shoulder to the wood, pushing until she was certain she’d be bruised down one side by tomorrow.

“It’s too heavy,” she cried.

August tried one last push, opening it a fraction before the wood fought back and closed again. “Let’s find another way in.”

Lilly waded around the building and eyed the water that rushed past on what would once have been the riverside. It was impossible to tell where the riverbank started anymore or how deep the water was, so she stuck close to the building, palms to the brick in a bid to keep her balance. Still, the water rose, lapping close to her chest. The cottage had to have been built in the medieval era and they were typically low ceilinged with small door frames. If the water reached much higher, the family inside would have no chance.

August remained behind her, stalking her steps, and keeping hold of one part of her, be it her hand, arm or the swirl of her skirts. Lilly paused by the window to peer into the gloom of the building. She tapped on the glass window.

“No sense in breaking the window. These frames are too narrow.”

Lilly nodded. The narrow strips of lead and iron crisscrossed every window of the building and would offer no form of escape if broken. She tapped on the window again when a face neared, and she motioned frantically to the latch she could see on the other side. What appeared to be a young woman, twisted the latch and between the three of them, they inched open the window. It gave suddenly, bashing against the wall under the weight of the water. August latched his hands about her shoulders and tugged her back away from the cracked glass.

“Climb out,” August urged the trapped people.

The woman gripped the edge of the window, her face ashen. “My parents are in here with me. They cannot possibly climb out and I cannot leave them.”

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