Page 41 of The Storybook Hero
“She was right.”
“Then why do you do it?”
Alex would never have imagined that a twelve-year-old was capable of making him blush, yet the simple question left him feeling more exposed than if he’d been caught running stark naked down Rotten Row.
He turned his head to find the boy was looking at him expectantly, which only increased his self-loathing. Indeed, he had to fight down the urge to throw the covers up over his head and, like the unfortunate tutor, claim he was too indisposed to face the day. Instead, he forced himself to a sitting position and cleared his throat—but the words remained stuck there.
Answers were proving elusive this morning.
“We had best hurry in dressing,” he finally mumbled. “It would not do to keep Miss Hadley and Miss Renfew waiting too long.”
To his relief, the statement managed to deflect the boy’s attention to another touchy subject.
“I don’t want to travel with them any longer,” replied Nicolas, his face scrunching into a scowl. “I hate girls. They are silly and helpless, and do nothing but whine and carry on in the most annoying manner.”
“I would be careful about voicing such an opinion within earshot of Miss Hadley,” replied Alex dryly. “And as for taking them along, I’ve already explained to you that as gentlemen, we simply cannot abandon them. Besides, Miss Renfrew has already proved herself to be a very brave and resourceful companion.”
Nicholas shot him a look of disbelief. “Hah! Miss Hadley told me how it was you who saved them from a band of ruffians.”
“Did she also tell you how it was she who was holding the three villains at bay with a pistol when I arrived?”
The boy’s eyes widened.
“Or how Miss Renfrew took up a bottle and flung it at the leader, just as he was about to stick his knife in my ribs?” he continued. “With quite credible aim I might add.”
“S-She did?” he said in a faint voice.
Alex nodded. “And she doesn’t appear to be making a whine or a squeak about being abandoned in a strange country by a selfish relative, with nary a soul to turn to, if not for the kindness of Miss Hadley, since both her parents are deceased.”
Nicholas was silent for several moments. Then, without further argument, he pushed back his covers and began to pull on his jacket.
“I hate boys.They are brainless and loud, and do nothing but think of stupid pranks to annoy those who are around them.” Emma pulled the blanket up to her chin, a black expression onher pinched features. “Can’t we hire some other coach to take us to St. Petersburg?”
“We have tried that, without a great deal of success,” reminded Octavia. “And even if we wished to try such a risky thing again, I doubt we could find a vehicle or driver willing to undertake such a journey. So we really have no choice but to continue on with Mr. Leigh.”
“Well, at leastheis not in the least odious.”
Hah! thought Octavia, running a brush through her hair with a bit more force than necessary. However she left her private feelings on that score unsaid as she searched for some means to lessen the girl’s pique. Suddenly, an idea occurred.
“Emma, perhaps you would have a little more charity for the poor lad if you knew the real story.” She lowered her voice to a conspiratorial whisper. “I am sure Mr. Alex would agree that you are old enough to trust with the secret .”
Emma waited with bated breath.
“Did you know that Nicholas has recently lost both his parents?”
The girl bit her lip and shook her head.
“That is not the worst of it. His wicked uncle covets his title and fortune, and is determined to see that some ‘accident’ befalls Nicholas. So Mr. Leigh has been engaged by the boy’s English relatives to bring him safely to London.”
Emma’s eyes took on a decided shine. “Why, this is even more exciting than one of Mrs. Radcliffe’s novels.”
Octavia repressed a smile. “I think it would be less than honorable if we were to abandon the two of them. There is a real chance that Nicholas may be in danger during this journey. And knowing men and the stupid things they are wont to do, he and Mr. Leigh are bound to need our help along the way.”
The girl was out of bed and dressed before Octavia had stuck the last hairpin into the bun coiled at the back of her neck.
After hurrying down the narrow stairs,. Octavia wheedled the promise of a decent breakfast out of the proprietor, then took him aside for a huddled conference. After a moment, he bobbed his head, his mercenary smile revealing a set of crooked yellow teeth, and moved off, leaving her to take a seat with a rather satisfied expression on her face.
It was not long before Alex appeared, trailed by Nicholas. Awkward greetings were exchanged, then the arrival of the tea and a platter of cold meats and bread made further words unnecessary. Alex took up his mug and walked to the window where he stood gazing out at the morning sky, which was smudged grey with the threat of storm. As he passed her, Octavia noted the haggard hollows of his cheeks and the dark circles under his eyes. Drinking down a bottle of fiery spirits looked as though it had only exacerbated his fatigue.
