Page 23 of The Winter Rogue
“I stopped in on John on my way to breakfast.He seems to be recovering well.”
Drew's voice sounded odd to her.Distant.It was as though he suddenly held her at arm's length.
Charlene sucked in a breath and resisted the urge to ask him what was going on.Had he been angry when he saw her this morning?She could have understood that, considering the way she'd thrown him out of her room.
But this?This distance he placed between them was different.It felt wrong.
“That was very kind of you, if you'll excuse me.”God, she wanted to escape the room now.Her insides were all twisted up in knots of worry after this encounter.
“You are free to go whenever you wish.”The way Drew said it felt more meaningful than releasing her from the breakfast room niceties.It felt like a dismissal from his house.Maybe from his life.
“Good day.”Charlene fled the room, heading straight upstairs to find John.She went to his bedchamber and found him cheerily sitting up and having breakfast with Billy and Polly.The trio seemed to get on well.
“Good morning, John.Billy, Polly.”Charlene nodded at each in turn.“I just came up to check on your recovery, but you seem to be doing quite well this morning.”
Relief poured through her.She'd been so worried about him the night of the accident.
“I am, girly.My ankle is even feeling better.I was able to get out of bed this morning and put some weight on it.”John grinned happily as he picked up a rasher of bacon from his plate, using it to point at her.“And how are you doing?I hope you're not causing these nice people any trouble.”
She couldn't help but laugh.“No, of course not.I'm hoping we can be out of their hair before too long.The snow has stopped.”
“I was just telling John that very thing,” Polly smiled.“You should get outside and take some fresh air after being cooped up for so long.”
Charlene nodded.“I plan to, unless you think we could be on our way?”
“Sorry to say, my lady, I don’t think so.Perhaps with the good weather I can go fetch your vehicle, if the snow isn’t too piled up.But there’s no one to drive you in either your coach or ours.”Billy looked apologetic as he explained.
“I do understand.And I appreciate all everyone has done for us.Well, I suppose I shall be off.I had just wanted to come and see John before I went about my day.Since he has such good company, I shall come back later.Enjoy your breakfast.”She departed the room as quickly as she'd appeared.
Polly was right: she should get outside.That would keep her away from Drew and any further tumult with him.She had on her trousers under her woolen dress and her sturdy boots on, so all she needed was her cloak.Once she found that, she headed straight for the stables.
With Billy occupied by Polly and John, and Drew presumably tucked into his study, there was no one to tell her she shouldn't go for a ride.She wouldn't go far, which was in any case likely impossible with all the snow piled up, but she was ready to put a little distance between herself and Drew, even if only for an hour or two.Quickly saddling a mare that looked suitable for her—she wasn’t an avid horsewoman—she trotted out of the stable.
It was a glorious day.The sun shone, the snow sparkling like diamonds.She trotted carefully away from the house and off into the woods, the ride slow going as she couldn't see what was under the snow, but the sweet mare she was on seemed surefooted and patient with the pace.Charlene sat back and enjoyed the pace the horse set.After all, she had nowhere to go and all the time in the world to get there.She was free.
They had been out for nearly an hour, she suspected, when she decided it was time to head back.It was getting colder, and she could use a good fire.It was when she turned the mare back toward Glenn Ivy that the horse stumbled and reared.
Charlene tried to hang on, but even sitting astride the horse, she didn't have the strength to keep her seat.As she clung to the animal, she cursed the fact that she took a carriage everywhere and rarely rode.Her arms and legs gave out as the horse reared once more and she tumbled backward off the mare.The sensation of falling, just floating in the air for a moment, was quickly followed by the jarring sensation of connecting with the earth.The breath was knocked out of her, and a moment later, everything went black.
Chapter Twelve
Drewwastrappedinhis study trying to get more work done.He had three new contracts with merchants looking to secure space on his ships to review, and they were important.Time sensitive, even.But all he could think about was the infuriating woman who had kicked him out of her bedchamber last night.
It was not unexpected that she would regret what they'd done.At the very least, Charlene appeared to regret the impulsivity of the moment.But to have her regret sweep in so suddenly and completely?That had caught him unawares.
Drew sighed.He should go find her and try to speak with her.Perhaps he should not have laughed at her awkwardness afterwards—that had been poor form, he supposed.
But the woman was so rarely at a loss for words; she was always so quick with a snappy retort that seeing her grope for words had amused him.Charmed him even.But she had reacted badly.Once she had fallen back into her usual pattern of behavior, straight to mulish anger, he had gone right along with her instead of being the better person.
I’m a fool.
Drew dropped the contract he held absently and stood up.He should go find her in whichever nook she'd holed up in and apologize.Do something—anything—to make things right with her.He'd taken her virginity last night, been so deep inside her, his heart had missed a few beats.He owed her that.
He was just turning to walk toward the orangery where she used to hide as a girl, when he heard his name being called.
“Drew!Drew!Come quick!”It was Polly, her voice rattled, and she was not one to panic over nothing.Something had her upset.
Turned around hurriedly, Drew ran to where she was poking her head out of the kitchen.“What is it?What's happened?”
