Page 52 of Her Wicked Highwayman
“The storm’s moving north,” he said. “I believe we can make a run for it now.” Diana raised her head, their noses brushing as she looked up at him.
“Are you certain?”
Rafe nodded. Rain dripped down his nose, and droplets coated his dark-gold lashes. His wet blond hair fell across his eyes, which held such storms as to rival the skies above.
“I’ve been out in many storms. This one is done with us for now.”
Diana wanted to stay where they were to be absolutely sure, but Isla was cold and shaking.
“I think you are right. We must get Isla inside.” She kept her tone quiet as she spoke to Rafe. His eyes narrowed as he assessed his child.
“Give her to me. I will carry her.” He stood, and Diana uncovered the little girl enough to slide her into her father’s arms.
“Isla?” Rafe whispered. His daughter’s eyes were closed. She shook hard as she lay limp against his chest. He glanced at Diana then, his face showing clearly what he wanted to do.
“I only wish I could carry you as well.” It was beautifully noble of him, but foolish. The child was ill and mattered far more than she did.
“Take her and go, quickly! I’ll be fine.” Diana shoved at him when he still hesitated. “Go!”
Rafe sprinted back up the hill with Isla in his arms. Diana lifted her skirts and started after him, albeit more slowly. With the benefit of longer legs and breeches, he made it to the house far quicker than she could.
By the time she reached the back terrace, a footman rushed out to meet her, carrying a large white cloth that he draped around her wet shoulders.
“Miss Fox, a bath has been prepared in one of the guest bedchambers for you. I will show you the way now, if you like.”
“Thank you, but I would like to see Isla first. Is she all right?”
“The child is... not well. Lord Lennox rode for the doctor. He will be back as soon as he can.” The footman’s face was pale with concern. It was clear everyone in this house adored Isla.
She grasped the footman’s hand in earnest. “Please let me see her straightaway.”
He finally relented. “I will take you. She is in the nursery.” He led Diana up the stairs and down the hall. Towering tapestries adorned the walls, depicting sunny gardens and bright summer days, a stark contrast to the gloom of the skies outside.
The footman paused at a door and knocked. “Mr. Lennox, it’s Miss Fox. She is here to see the child.”
“Let her come,” Rafe’s voice called out after a few seconds.
When the footman opened the door, Diana passed into the room and she was startled to find Rafe sitting on the floor with Isla close to the fire. The little girl had been changed into a clean white nightgown and was bundled up in thick woolen blankets.
Rafe held the girl in his lap, his arms wrapped around her as he kept her close enough to the fire for warmth. His blue eyes shimmered with tears as they met Diana’s gaze. She eased down onto the stone floor beside him. He was in shock, that much Diana could see. His face was white and his lips parted as he drew in shallow breaths. The child in his hold was quiet, but her trembling had lessened.
“How is she?” Diana asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Rafe blinked, his gaze seemingly lost on her face. “She is unwell... and I don’t know what to do to help her.”
“I was told the doctor is coming. Lord Lennox is going to fetch him?”
Rafe nodded. “Yes, Ash will bring him back. He will fix it.” He seemed to have complete faith in his brother. Diana envied him that unbroken trust in a sibling. She’d thought Eleanor would always be close to her, but when she ran away and eloped, no letters ever arrived, nothing to tell her what had become of her.
Why hadn’t she written at least one letter? The thought stung Diana deep, because she could think of only one reason. Her beloved sistermustbe dead. She would not have gone so silent unless something terrible had happened.
Rafe’s voice broke through her melancholia. “Thank you...”
“Hmm?”
He let out a shivering breath. “Yousaved her. I had just returned to the terrace and Rosalind looked terrified. She said Isla was missing and you went after her. I feared the worst. I...” He cuddled the child close, tucking the blankets up under her chin.
Diana tried to smile, but her body ached with the cold of the storm settling in her bones.
