Page 9 of The Winter Rogue
Drew shook his head, unable to disagree with his housekeeper.“Billy is just getting the sleigh hitched to the team and putting your mounts in the stable.He and I shall go find John.I assume you were coming from London?”
“Yes, but I—”
“You will be more hindrance than help.Besides, there isn't room on the sled for so many people.We'll need to lay John down in the back, especially if he is injured.Stay here with Polly and Billy and I shall go fetch your man.Polly, I believe James had one of the guest bedchambers opened before everyone departed.Please see that Charlie—Charlene is settled there.Get another room ready for her driver.I'm certain he will require a bed when he arrives.”He turned and stalked out of the room before he said something he might really regret.
Within five minutes he had met Billy out by the stables and they had both climbed onto the sled and headed out into the heavy snow.They had a coachman to rescue.
Ittookhimnearlyan hour to make their way down the road to find the wrecked coach.Even with a snowdrift swallowing nearly half of the carriage, it was easy enough to spot.Drew tied off the reins of the sled as he and Billy hopped down.As they walked around the wreck looking for the coachman—John, wasn’t that what she'd called him?—he marveled that Charlie escaped the wreck unscathed.The coach was nearly on its side in a ditch.As he found the driver's seat, he spotted a lump of snow that seemed to have a head.
“John?”He knelt down to clear some of the snow from the man.
The driver moaned softly, but didn't respond, which Drew knew was not good.The man was freezing, half buried in the still falling slow.It was time to get him somewhere warm.
It had been Billy’s idea to get a small brazier going on the sled to help warm him on the way back to Glenn Ivy.He didn't bother trying to have the man stand since he was clearly half frozen and wasn't even able to speak—he and Billy lifted John along with the woolen blanket he was sitting on.It appeared Charlie had done well for the man under the circumstances.
Once they had him settled in the sleigh with dry blankets and a dry fur lap robe, Billy went through the wreck and searched for any luggage.After a few minutes, he returned with two travel bags and the mackintosh the man had been sitting on.
“Let's get him back to the house.He needs an actual fire and some warmth,” Drew said as he snapped the reins and got the sleigh moving.He circled around using a nearby field and then headed back toward Glenn Ivy—and the woman who had shattered his peace.
Chapter Five
Charlenesatstaringatthe fire in Drew's study, cursing her luck.The man just had to be home.
Why couldn't he have been in London like everyone else?Or better still, on a boat in the middle of the ocean?Anything would have been an improvement on this.
Of course, she greatly appreciated that he had hied off in the middle of a stormy, snowy night to find John, but something about Drew had always set her teeth on edge.
Well.Fine, if she was honest with herself, not always.There had been moments when she had found him very sweet as a boy, but they had been few and far between.Most of the time, he was trying to send her home, sit and drink tea with their mothers, or play with dolls.She sighed.
“I've got your room all ready.”Polly walked into the study carrying an oil lamp.
Charlene smiled.“Thank you, but I should like to wait here until Drew returns with my driver, John.”
Polly's mouth pulled to the side.“You must be exhausted after your ordeal.I'm sure John won't mind if you see to your own wellbeing now.”
She shook her head.“John is like a father to me.I couldn't possibly rest until I know he is well and truly safe.I…he was injured when I left him.Shouldn’t we send for the doctor?”
Polly looked concerned for a moment.“I'm sure the master will let you know once they return.As for the doctor, there’s no one to send as the staff has all gone home due to the weather.And even if we could send someone, the doctor likely wouldn’t beable to make it in this weather.”Polly patted her hand reassuringly.
She shook her head and smiled.They didn’t understand.“I appreciate all you are doing for us, but I really must wait here to see John when he returns.”
Polly sighed and shrugged a shoulder.“Of course, my lady, but Mr.Wentworth will not be pleased to find you down here when he gave me instructions to see you upstairs.”
Charlene smiled serenely.Well, that was hardly worth thinking about.“Mr.Wentworth is accustomed to not being pleased when it comes to me not being where he thinks I should be.I assure you, he will survive his disappointment.”
“Very well, my lady.Please ring for me if you require anything else.I’ll be in the kitchen preparing some broth for your man.”Polly tried to hide her smile as she turned to leave, but Charlene did not miss it.
“Thank you, Polly.”
A little over an hour later, based on the chiming of the small clock on the mantlepiece, there was the sound of a heavy door opening and smacking against the wall with a loud bang.
John.
Charlene rushed to her feet and ran out to the main entry to see what was happening.She found Drew and Billy carrying a half-conscious John into the house.
Polly arrived at the same time and took charge immediately.“I've his room ready upstairs.Follow me.”
They all did as instructed.Once upstairs, the two men set John down on the bed, leaving all the blankets and fur throws covering him.Polly had already built a roaring fire so the room was quite warm.
