Page 66 of The Enigmatic Governess of Buford Manor
She gestured behind her where the household had gathered to watch in a murmur of shocked voices.
“Nicholas!” Betsey screamed, breaking free of the crowd and running toward her cousin, tears streaking her fair cheeks. “Duke Buford!”
Rose grabbed the girl before she could get closer, bringing her dark head to her bosom as Betsey sobbed in anguish but Nicholas had eyes only for the men in the party.
“You!” he spat at the trio. “You left him there to die!”
“No!” Peter cried, his eyes darting about, seeking assistance from the other men. “We went in search of assistance, Lord Buford. He was trapped. He sent us all.”
Nicholas’ face contorted into a mask of confusion and he advanced on the group, his lifeless father still sprawled in his arms.
“He was conscious when you left him?” he demanded.
“Yes!” all three men chorused.
“He was jesting with us, Buford. He was in no pain,” Lord Preston insisted. “We would never have left him if…”
“You abandoned him, bleeding and alone!” Nicholas yelled, his eyes flashing with malice. “Look what you have done! For shame!”
“No, Lord Buford,” Peter cried, rushing forward to stare at the duke’s white face with perplexity. “He was not bleeding when we left. I swear it!”
Nicholas eyed the man uncomprehendingly.
“How can that be?” he demanded. “Look!”
“I see, my lord, but I assure you, he was not in such a state when we went for help.”
Nicholas looked at Balfour and Preston who nodded vehemently in agreement.
“Tis occurred after we went,” Peter muttered and the marquess heard the deep remorse in his voice.
The wind was suddenly knocked from him, Nicholas sank to his knees and placed his father on the stoop before the door.
How can that be? It was only a few hours. What could have happened?
As quickly as it had come, the anger dissolved and a deep, gut-wrenching sense of loss replaced it. He bowed his head as the crowd surged toward him, taking the duke inside and wrapping him in blankets.
“You must come inside,” Rose breathed to him. “You have been in the cold much too long.”
“I will never be warm again,” he mumbled, raising his head to stare at her face. “All the warmth has died with my father.”
“No,” she replied, trying to smile through her tears. “It only seems that way now but the pain you feel will lessen in time.”
“How can you say such a thing?” Nicholas gasped, knowing that her words were empty. He felt a tightness in his chest, blocking the air from entering his body.
“I say it because I will help you,” Rose answered quietly. “The way you have helped me.”
Through his sorrow, Nicholas met her eyes and she offered him a sad, wistful smile.
“Thank you, Rose.”
“You are most welcome…Nicholas.”
He knew that this time, her informality had not been a mere slip of the tongue. In the wake of such a devastating tragedy, something good had manifested—a bond between the new duke and the governess.
Chapter 23
Two Months Later
