Page 14 of To Win a Viscount's Heart
“The maid said she’s still sleeping. She felt sorry for the girl and let her sleep late because her mother died,” the butler said.
“Hmm, remind those maids their loyalty is to me, not that little chit.”
“Yes, my lord.”
“And make sure you find that groundskeeper and retrieve those keys. There’s no telling what other things he took.”
“Yes, my lord.”
Percival grinned. “And let me know when the girl wakes. Mayhap I’ll go up and help her dress for the journey.” He threw back his head and laughed.
“I will…your lordship,” Grom said as he turned to leave.
Vern dug into the hearty stew. The cook had outdone herself. He’d never eaten so well, in his life. It was a pity he wouldn’t be able to enjoy the fine fare much longer. He had big plans, and that fine young lady upstairs was the key to making all his dreams come true. He raised his tankard of ale in a silent salute and gulped it down.
As Vern finished eating, a great yawn came over him. Damn, he was still tired. Well, a short nap wouldn’t do any harm. He went to the comfortable settee and was practically asleep when his head hit the pillow.
A clap of thunder awakened him with a start. The sky outside the window was dark and gloomy. “What the blazes?” He stumbled over to a brown velvet cord and pulled.
“My lord… My lord… Vern! Vern wake up!”
Vern felt as though he were swimming up from the dark depths of a murky lake. He realized someone was shaking his shoulders and shouting in his ear.
“Vern! Wake up!”
He cracked his eyes open and looked up at the giant hovering over him.
“What in the blazes? I told ya never to call me Vern, you lummox!”
“Well, when I called you “my lord” you weren’t waking, so I thought I’d try Vern.”
“Help me up, you oaf.”
“You fell asleep, my lord.”
“Yes, I know. What time is it?”
“It’s after three.”
“Three in the afternoon?”
“Yes, my lord.”
“Why the hell didn’t you wake me sooner?”
“Because I was asleep too.”
“Why the hell were you asleep?
“Because I was tired.”
“Where’s the girl?”
“I haven’t seen her,” Grom returned.
“Damnit! Go and wake her. Have one of the maids go with you. She needs to get up and get dressed. We have to leave for Gretna Green. It will be dark soon, and now we’ll have to travel all night.”
A few minutes later, Grom rushed back into the room. “She’s gone!”
