Page 63 of The Storybook Hero
Before he could finish, Wright had enfolded the lad in his arms. “Halloo, Nicky. You can’t imagine how glad we are to see you.”
Octavia took tight hold of Emma’s hand as she crept up beside her and watched with a pensive smile as Nicholas was introduced to the rest of his English family. But her thoughts were focused on the one Leigh who was not present in the room.
The wretch!It turned out that lies were also to be included among the litany of Alex’s sins. Why, he had played her for a fool from the very beginning, letting her think he was an impoverished tutor, as alone in the world as she was! Her sense of betrayal was so overwhelming she feared for an instant that she might fall into a swoon worthy of the worst sort of gothic heroine.
Her disillusionment was, however, quickly replaced by seething anger. Why, she fumed, if Alex had been able to stand on his feet, she would have been sorely tempted to plant a fist smack on that patrician nose of his!
Speaking of the devil, it was Thomas who suddenly looked up from his young relative and inquired, “Er, by the way, where is Alex?”
“He is sleeping.” Her lip curled up slightly. “Or, to use the term that gentlemen are wont to employ, he is sleeping it off.”
“Ah.” Thomas exchanged a rueful grimace with his older brother.
“Don’t worry, milord. I have a good deal of experience in tending to Mister Alex,” piped up Squid. “He’ll be dead to the world for another few hours, but once we have him aboard the ship, I’ll see that he wakes without too sore of a head.”
Chittenden took a discreet peek at his pocket watch. “I’m afraid that we must make haste if we are to make it to the docks before the convoy weighs anchor..” He slanted a look of concern at Octavia. “It was difficult enough to convince the admiral to make room for our group aboard the naval vessel leaving tonight. Two additional people, and females at that….”
“It was only for the sake of expediency that your brother and I traveled together this far. You needn’t feel any obligation for me, my lord. I assure you, I am quite capable of dealing with formalities here and seeing to the arrangement of a passage to England for myself and my charge.”
“But we can’t leave Miss Hadley and Emma behind!” cried Nicholas on realizing what was being discussed. “Alex would not?—”
“Alex would not hesitate for an instant. The most important thing is for you to be out of Russia as soon as possible,” said Octavia. She turned to the earl, her expression inscrutable. “Please, I insist that you not miss your ship.”
Chittenden frowned in thought. “Under ordinary circumstances, I would not consider leaving the two females alone in a foreign land. But you are right—we cannot be sure the threat to the boy is over until we have set sail.”
There was a flurry of thumps and thuds as the young valet emerged from the second bedchamber with an unconscious Alex draped over his shoulder. “Leaping Lucifer,” muttered Squid. “Russian vodka appeared to have even more kick to it than French brandy.”
It was only with great difficulty that Octavia restrained the urge to aim a potent kick of her own at Alex’s passing posterior.
“You are a stalwart young woman, Miss Hadley,” continued Chittenden with a harried sigh. “I shall of course send word to the embassy asking that they assist you in finding a quick passage home.”
“That is more than kind of you, sir. But there is no reason for concern. I am well used to looking out for myself.”
The marquess shifted his weight from one foot to the other. “What of money, Miss Hadley. May we offer?—”
“No,” she said rather sharply. Somehow the thought of accepting any payment from Alex’s family made her feel rather soiled. “I have sufficient funds.”
He gave a reluctant nod. “As you wish.” Thomas had already moved to help Squid maneuver Alex’s limp body out toward the stairs. The earl gave a gentle tug to his young relative’s sleeve. “Nicholas, we really must be going.”
The boy hesitated, then broke away to throw his arms around Octavia. “Goodbye, Miss Hadley,” he said, struggling to keep his voice from breaking. “We will all meet again soon, won’t we?”
She hugged him, but refrained from answering.
His gaze then turned to Emma. “I shall miss—learning what happens to Emily and Valancourt.”
The book suddenly appeared from the folds of her skirts. “Here, you take it!” she cried, thrusting it into his hands.
“But Emma?—”
“Don’t worry. Octavia has other books, while you do not.”
“I—I shall return it to you in London.”
“Yes.” She blinked back a tear. “Of course.”
The book clutched to his chest, Nicholas allowed the earl to hurry him off toward the stairs. After a final brief bow, the marquess followed after them.
Thunk. The door fell shut with a bang.
