Page 19 of The Rogue's Last Scandal
“We thought you would be at the rout,” the lady said. “Penderbrook and Charley and I were prepared to whisk you away from there. I am so dreadfully sorry.”
So, the other man in the coach was his friend. Tears flowed from her. Try as she might, she could not stop them. For the first time in so long, she felt hope. Juan would die for her, she knew, but he was her servant, a man in her care, a man without power, except for his fist and his blade and his honor.
This man who held her, she felt his power, and it was like a balm spreading over the muscles and raw wounds beginning to ache in her back.
She would allow herself these moments of comfort, and as soon as they arrived at the home of the Everlys, she would gather her servants and Reina and leave. Lady Kingsley said that her father’s friend, Captain Llewellyn, was at Falmouth. Wherever that was, she would find her way there, and he would help her go home.
The coach stoppedand she sat up stiffly and let the groom hand her down the steps. They were in a neighborhood of quiet, darkened houses. The groom stood by at a respectful distance and Mr. Everly took her arm.
The coach rattled and she wheeled around, watching it turn the corner, leaving her alone with Charles Everly and the groom.
Fear swept through her again. Her breath froze.
“We are going to my brother’s house,” he said, as nonchalantly as if he were speaking of a social call. He stepped out along the pavement. “Once they learn I have taken in your servants, the first place they will look for you is Shaldon House. They cannot legally touch Reina, but you, I am not so sure about. Lord Kingsley is your guardian. Until my father returns I should like you to disappear into a safe house.”
“They will know where your brother lives.”
“He never actually had the chance to live in this home. It is hispied-a-terrewhen he and his lady desire a break from the busyness at home. Not many know he has it. And we shall move you when the time is right.”
They walked down another street and around the corner to an even quieter street of homes, and then down a dark mews to a back gate. He moved silently as a breeze this man, as did his groom, as if they sneaked about quite regularly.
Perhaps he did. Perhaps rakes went into their mistresses’ homes by the back door.
He held her elbow and handed a key to the groom.
The door opened on a dim light. “It’s Mr. Charles Everly,” the groom announced, as if he was calling out the name of a ball guest.
As they entered, the light brightened. A grey-haired servant in shirtsleeves and trousers lowered a musket.
Graciela’s heart pounded and she looked again at the groom, who was carrying himself like the chief of one of Papa’s boarding parties.
“Mr. Windle,” Mr. Everly said placidly but with much volume, “greetings to you and Mrs. Windle. I hope you’re well. It’s been an age since I’ve seen the both of you. My brother gave me a key to use his house at any time. Did he inform you?”
The grizzled man’s eyes narrowed. A stout older woman popped from behind him, a pistol in her hand. Her gaze darted from the groom, to Mr. Everly, and then landed on Graciela, in her disheveled state.
The rheumy eyes widened. She set the pistol on the table and curtsied.
“Aye, Master Charley. Of course we know you.” She nudged her husband aside and drew closer. “The lady is injured. Come, let me see to you, madam.”
“Mrs. Windle, the lady’s maid will be along shortly to assist her. If you would be so kind as to show us to a bedchamber?”
He meant to accompany her to the bedchamber?But the maid coming must surely be Francisca. Perhaps Lady Perpetua was on her way to Shaldon House to fetch her.
Distrust mixed with relief. She did not think he would attempt to molest her, not in her present condition, and not with these elderly, familiar servants who showed no fear of him nearby, not with Francisca, and surely Juan also, on the way.
But...a kiss…perhaps she would not mind that so much.
Dios,she must not think like that.
As they moved through the kitchen, he gave orders for water to be heated and coal to be brought to her chamber.
His brother kept coal in the house in the spring? Perhaps Shaldon did also, and Reina, wherever they were keeping her, would finally not shiver every night in her sleep.
At the bottom of the servants’ staircase, he swept her into his arms.
Pain seared her back and she gasped. He set her back on her feet quickly and glared at her.
“Hedidhurt you.”
