Page 75 of A Duke for Stealing
As she smiled wistfully at the memories of her and Everett dancing in the rain, though, thunder struck mightily from above, shaking the estate. Rose turned to the windows quickly, and her shoulders drooped as she saw black clouds churning wildly in the sky. She’d thought she’d had more time!
“It is alright,” she stated, holding onto her hope. “It is possible that we could-”
A ragged flash of lightning lit up the sky as heavy rain fell in slanted sheets onto the windows, crushing her idea.
“Rats,” she grumbled.
Another loud crack of thunder boomed from above, and it was followed by the sounds of two high-pitched screams. Rose raced from her room, her disappointment melting in an instant, and she hurried to the nursery.
“Girls!” She called, thrusting open the door. She looked in and saw Diana and Leah huddled together in the space between their beds, their arms held around each other’s necks tightly.
“What is it? What happened? I heard them scream, I- what onearthare you wearing?” Everett’s worried voice shifted to amusement as Rose turned and saw him standing behind her.
Though happy to finally see him again, she gave him a perturbed glance. Before she could answer, another clash of thunder came,and the twins darted toward them. Diana flew into Rose’s arms as Leah ran into Everett’s.
“Easy now, girls, easy,” Everett said calmly, rubbing Leah’s back, “It is just a storm. Nothing to worry about. We are safe in here.”
“What if the lightning strikes the house?” Leah wailed. “What if it catches on fire?”
Rose watched Everett grow still, and he pulled Leah back so he could look at her face.
“Who told you that?” Everett asked, wiping the tears from Leah’s face.
“The Governess, Miss Holliday,” Leah sobbed. “She was teaching us about the weather yesterday.”
“Oh, heavens,” Everett muttered, pulling Leah back into his embrace. “Perhaps it was too soon to get you a governess.”
Rose couldn’t help but give Everett anI told you sosmirk as she held Diana. He narrowed his eyes at her as if sayinghush,and Rose nearly laughed. It felt good to interact with him again.
“Well, you do not have to worry,” Rose said, turning her attention back to the girls. “We are safe inside our house. Is that not correct, Uncle Everett?”
“Of course it is,” Everett agreed quickly.
“Please do not leave us,” Diana whimpered, “Even if we do not catch fire, I am afraid of the thunder.”
“Well then, we will just have to play a game to distract you from this fear, won’t we?” Rose asked, rubbing Diana’s back.
Both girls calmed down a little, and after a while, Everett and Rose put them to bed.
“Uncle Everett, you are going to play our game too, yes?” Diana asked.
Everett’s brows raised as he opened his mouth to speak.
“We have not seen you in so very long,” Leah added.
Everett’s shoulders sank as he closed his mouth. He spared a glance toward Rose, one that made her wary, and then nodded.
“Of course I am going to play,” Everett answered. “What shall it be?”
“Let us play charades!” Leah announced.
“Very well,” Everett said, and let the girls take his hands and lead him into their room.
Rose followed, and the game ensued. Charades turned into cards, and then those turned into playing with dolls. Time passed quickly, and though the heavy rain did not let up, the thunder and lightning seemed to cease.
“It is gone now,” Leah announced, abandoning her doll to look out the window. “Listen, Diana, no more thunder.”
Diana let out a sigh of relief and put her doll down, too.
