Page 14 of Lady Mary's May Day Mischief
Charlton did the same for Blake. “My friend, a famous fellow who saved many of us from the wraths of the French. A fine engineer, Captain Lord Lawton-Bridges.”
“Bridges will do,” Blake offered.
“All of you must have had a terrible fright. Do go right up to rest.” Lady Courtland fussed over the four of them, but worried over Fifi. She was her maternal aunt and most caring of her niece. “You look quite ashen, my dear girl.”
Lord Courtland summoned one of his footmen. “We’ll have Thomas here carry her up and relieve you, Lord Charlton.”
“Unnecessary, sir,” said Charlton with ease. “The lady is secure in my embrace.”
“But you must be tired,” Fifi countermanded him, her lips stiff.
He narrowed his gaze on her and a ghost of a smile curved his mouth. “Never. You are light as a feather.”
Fifi set her teeth. “You are too kind.”
Charlton ignored her sarcasm and turned to the footman assigned to assist him. “Thomas? Onward, man!”
Befuddled, Lord Courtland glanced from the earl to his niece and back again. “Carry on. Of course. We’ll send Fifi’s trunks up as soon as possible.”
“Marvelous,” Fifi chirped, hooking her arms more tightly around her rescuer’s neck. The smile she threw him—Mary could have bet—would tempt a thousand angels…if it were for any other than this diabolically irritating earl. “Walk on, sir.”
That man was already headed up the main staircase when his lordship called to him. “I say, Lord Charlton, shall I send for a surgeon?”
“No,” both he and Fifi responded at once.
Charlton paused, then slowly faced his host. “I’ve examined Lady Fiona’s ankle, sir, and she needs rest, a compress and ice.”
As ever, there was no brooking Charlton’s command of the situation.
“Ice!” Lady Courtland said. “Of course!”
“Perhaps, tea, too, Aunt?” Fifi asked over his shoulder as her chivalrous knight resumed his assent of the stairs. “Cakes?”
Mary stifled a chuckle. Fifi and her cakes!
“You shall have it, dear girl. And you, Lord Charlton? May I send you tea as well?”
“Tea would be splendid, Lady Courtland.” He did not stop but took the landing around.
“Aunt?” Fifi called down. “Brandy is in order. For his lordship, you see.”
Mary could have sworn Charlton winked at the woman in his arms. “Fine idea!”
Lord Courtland rubbed his hands together. “Certainly! Should have said it myself. You shall have it!”
“Superb,” their guests answered in chorus as Charlton proceeded up the stairs with his burden.
Mary had never seen two people duel so verbally. Why were they so antagonistic to each other?
“I say, my dear,” Lord Courtland addressed his wife as he watched the two disappear. “That is quite a jolt. Will she be able to enjoy herself?”
“I do hope so,” she fretted, then turned to her other guests. “Forgive me. We are quite undone, aren’t we? We have a full tea at the ready in the salon. Or perhaps you wish to retire? Refresh?”
“Yes, I’d like that,” Mary said, intent on looking in on Fifi before she did much else. “May I join you in half an hour, perhaps?”
Blake agreed he’d like to be settled into his rooms first.
“Of course, you may. All of you. Come, William. Henry, too?” She summoned two footmen who snapped to attention. “Do show Lady Mary to her room and Lord Bridges to his.”
