Page 12 of A Widow's Perfect Rogue
“She’ll be all right, Frankie,” Thomas said in a gentle voice, wrapping his arm around both mother and child. Maggie was chattering from the cold, but very much alive, and he was grateful to have gotten there in time before the little girl had swallowed too much water.
“Darling, bring them here,” Isabella anxiously called out as she stepped down from the carriage. “We have warming bricks and blankets—there is plenty of room. Let us take them to our townhouse and see to their welfare. We’re just around the corner. We can send for Dr. Spencer right away.”
Thomas nodded and he and Hertford ushered Frankie and her daughter into the carriage, where Isabella quickly covered them with thick warm blankets. Frankie buried her head in Maggie’s soft blonde hair and clung tightly to her.
“I will follow on my horse,” Thomas said with a gentle touch on Frankie’s arm. No way was he leaving them. Not this time.
“You can ride with us,” Hertford said. “Plenty of room, as you can see. And we can hitch your horse to the back.”
“Wait!” Frankie said. “I was distracted earlier because I’d heard whimpering in the bushes.” She pointed toward a clump of bushes nearby.
Another wail sounded, and Thomas ran toward the noise. Peering into the bushes, he spied a small black and white terrier who looked emaciated. Its leash was wound tightly around its neck and somehow tangled in a limb of the bush. Seeing him, the dog looked at him with sad brown eyes as it valiantly struggled to free itself. “Shhh, little one. I’ve got you,” Thomas said, speaking softly to the suffering animal. Unwrapping the twisted tether, he lifted the dog out. The dog whimpered, seemingly grateful for the rescue, and snuggled close.
“The poor thing appears to be starving,” Hertford said. “Here, hand him over and we’ll take him in the carriage.”
“No. Let me take him. I’ll follow behind on my horse. It could have fleas, and I don’t want to risk the child.” He was starting to feel a chill now that the adrenalin was wearing off. “Hand me a blanket and I’ll wrap the dog and hold him under my coat to keep it warm. Just take care of Frankie and her daughter.” His eyes met Frankie’s, and he saw a tenderness in her sky-blue eyes that he hadn’t seen in five long years. “Everything will be all right,” he whispered, then turning to Hertford, he added, “Go on! I’ll be right behind you.” As the carriage wheeled away, Thomas gained his horse, holding the dog close to his chest.
* * *
“Damn it!” Endora seethed from her carriage a short distance away from Thomas and his friends. “Just when it seemed that my fortunes were finally taking a turn for the good, Lord Latham arrives in time to save the wretched creature and her brat. Well, no matter. I will deal with her.”
She was still furious about this morning’s tidbit in theTon Tattler. She was almost certain the dowager had been behind it. The dowager was a powerful woman.But no one is as devious as me!
CHAPTER4
Hertford Mansion
Berkley Square, London
Thomas was wet, shivering, and worried. He’d intended to take a shortcut home first and leave the bedraggled dog in the gentle and capable hands of his cook, Agnes. But as he’d rounded a corner, a flower vendor and a fruit vendor collided their carts causing apples and flowers to go flying everywhere. Running late, Thomas had ended up at Hertford’s instead. He ran up the steps and thumped the knocker on the massive front door.
“Welcome, Lord Latham,” the butler said in greeting. “We’ve been expecting you.”
“Baines.” Thomas nodded. “How is Lady Gallwey’s daughter?”
“Lady Hertford placed Lady Gallwey and Lady Maggie in a guest suite upstairs, my lord. She is with them now as we await the arrival of the physician,” the butler intoned.
“Good,” Thomas said, relief washing over him.
I see you’ve brought a guest with you.” Baines nodded at the squirming bundle.
“Yes. Rescued this poor pup at the park. She’s almost starving. I meant to stop by my townhouse, but I suppose I was lost in thought,” Thomas said. The dog wiggled its head out of his jacket and regarded the butler with a curious look in her large brown eyes.
A grin transformed the man’s dour face. “She reminds me of a dog I had as a child. Named her Prissy. If you would allow me, I’ll take her to the kitchen and have her cleaned up and fed.
“That is most kind of you, Baines. If you ever want to come to work for me, you can name your price,” Thomas said with a grin as he handed the dog to the older man.”
“I am flattered, my lord, but there is nowhere else I’d rather be. Lord Hertford is in his study. Follow me, and I will announce you.”
“Thank you.”
The study door opened just as they arrived.
Slade stepped out and grinned.
“I was just about to see the dog gets a proper bath and a meal, my lord,” Baines said, petting the dog’s head.
“Baines, you’re a wonder.”
