Page 52 of The Wise Daughter
“I never would have forgiven myself if anything had happened to you.” He ran a hand down his face, then looked her over again.
“I promise, there’s nothing the matter with me. Tell me exactly what has happened.”
He needed another long breath before he could speak. “One of the scullery maids was finishing her tasks late. She smelled smoke but wasn’t sure where it was coming from. She woke Mrs. Manning who alerted everyone else. It took a bit of searching to find the source of smoke, but once we did, we’ve been working without ceasing, hauling buckets of water and smothering flames.”
He took both her hands in his. There were streaks of soot on his forearms and clothes, which she now saw were mirrored on hers from his embraces.
“The smoke made it impossible to see whether you were in there. I tried calling to you, but there was no answer. I went in as far as I could, but it was impossible to see anything with the flames and smoke. I hoped–” He stopped and swallowed. “I hoped you had escaped, but I thought even if you had, you might be hurt. Once the fire was under control and I didn’t think you were in your room, I went to search for you. I’ve been returning every so often to check on the state of the fire and to see if you’ve been found. I can’t tell you how relieved I am that you’re all right.”
Though he stood steady, she could feel his hands and arms trembling. The veins on his forearms and across his brow bulged. This time, she leaned against his chest of her own accord, wrapping her arms around him, and listened to his heart pounding against his ribs like it wanted to stomp out the fire itself.
“I’m sorry to scare you, Aaron.”
“Where were you, Nora?” His desperate whisper fluttered her hair and tickled her face.
Tears silently spilled down her cheeks. “I was exploring the castle.”
“Exploring?” The word burst from him as if the idea were deceptively amusing.
“I had no idea my absence would lead to something like this. Curse my curiosity!”
“No, don’t apologize!” he chuckled, choking on his words while hugging her tight. “No, Nora, this was not your fault. Bless your curiosity! I don’t want you to be anything other than what you are.”
Of all the things he had said to her, this was the one that seeped into the chambers of her heart like rain into dry earth and threatened to make her love him.
“Even if this was merely an accident, I would only be relieved you are unharmed.”
Her senses prickled at his words. “Even if… Do you mean to say…”
He lifted his head and held her gaze for several seconds. “Tell me, Nora. Can you think of anything that might have inadvertently caused this? I can’t imagine you are the sort of person who is careless around fire.”
Nora already knew the answer. She had already searched her memory for anything and everything she had done in her bedchamber that night before leaving, any detail she might have missed. No candlehad been left burning. Nothing was left too close to the fire on the grate. She was always careful.
“No. I can’t think of anything that might have caused this.”
He brought his lips close to her ear. “Nora, I fear this was no accident.”
Chapter 19
Aaron became aware of the eyes that were on them, Carver’s, Chuff’s, footmen constantly passing by with buckets of water, maids with buckets, other maids bringing drinks for those exhausted from the work.
“Aaron?” Nora’s voice was softer than a feather’s touch, her eyes wide. “Do you know who might have done this?”
He brushed a loose hair off her face, his thumb gently tracing her cheekbone which now had a smudge of ash. “If I did, they would already be paying for this.”
Of all the responsibilities falling on his shoulders, her life was now the most significant. He had to protect her. He could not fail her. He needed her close, somewhere safe where no one could make their way to her without his knowing.
With so many people watching, his heart still furiously pounding, and the smoke still clouding his thoughts and lungs, he could hardly think. He needed a moment before he decided where to put her.
Mr. Lacy appeared, racing down the corridor, coughing from the smoke while calling out, “Where is my daughter? Is she all right? Nora, where is Nora?”
Reluctantly, Aaron relinquished her so she could run to her father.
Despite all her complaints of his gambling and terrible decisions, she eagerly hugged him, and it was more than obvious he loved her dearly.
“I’m all right, Father. No harm done.”
“No harm!” her father laughed. “My heart nearly gave out! If it weren’t for the duke suggesting I search for you to keep myself occupied, I might have died with worry.” He pulled her close again and kissed her forehead, and together they laughed in that half-mad sort of fashion that only those who have just cheated death can accomplish.
