Page 30 of Revealing a Rogue
“Certainly. Countess Hadfield, please allow me to assist.” He bent and placed an arm about her waist. “Place your arm along my shoulders, behind my neck.”
In one swift motion, he lifted her to stand, but the pain in her ankle had her grimacing. One quick side glance at her, and Lord Waterford bent, placed an arm under her knees, and lifted her.
Lady Mary picked up Bronwyn’s tartan and brushed off the leaves clinging to it. Placing the material about Bronwyn’s shoulders, Lady Mary said, “We will have you safely home soon, and it will be bed rest for you for a few days.”
Days!Bronwyn shook her head. Landon’s sleepy mumbling of guilt at having left Archbroke with an enormous burden filled her mind. “I’m certain I’ll be fine by morn,” Bronwyn declared. “I’ll not be a burden to Landon.” A wife was to assist and aid her husband, not become a hindrance.
The couple glanced at each other with a manner that suggested an entire conversation had occurred between the two in mere seconds.
Lord Waterford smiled down at her. “Lassie, you’re no’ a burden to anyone.”
In a matter of fact tone, Lady Mary said, “Landon won’t let you out of his sight once he sees you’ve been hurt.”
“Thenyouwill assist me in ensuring he doesn’t find out.”
Eyebrows raised, Lady Mary asked, “Is that an order, Countess Hadfield?”
Was her first order going to be one to deceive her husband?
Bronwyn nodded.
“Very well. So be it.” Mary grinned. “Gilbert, you will carry Lady Bronwyn into the castle and ensure she is settled in the drawing room. I’ll distract Landon.”
Bronwyn had a sinking feeling that she had made an enormous error.
Chapter Fourteen
Seated at Waterford’s monstrosity of a desk, Landon traced a finger over the boyishly formed letters. G. E. T. He pictured a younger version of his friend Gilbert Elliot Talbot carving his initials into the tabletop. An ornate silver candlestick holder sat to the right of the markings. Landon picked up his quill to complete his response to Christopher’s inquiry as to when he and Bronwyn would be returning to town. But the words he should be penning were not in alignment with his wishes. For the first time in his life, he wanted to ignore his responsibilities and lay abed all day with his wife. A glint of sunlight reflected off the silver candleholder. It was situated in the most unlikely of spots to provide adequate lighting. He picked up the candleholder and revealed freshly carved initials: MEMT. Mary Eloise Masterson Talbot. Setting the candleholder back down off to the side, he traced the letters marked into the wood. Was Waterford as bewitched with his wife as Landon found himself with his?
At the fall of heavy, booted footsteps and the patter of slippers from the hall, Landon shoved the candleholder back to its original spot. The door swished open. Mary strode in, came to an abrupt halt inches shy of the desk, and planted her hands on her hips. “Why didn’t you ensure that your wife had an escort while wandering about the estate?”
Landon put quill to paper and scribbled a hasty reply to Christopher. He signed his name, leaned back, and steepled his fingers beneath his chin.
Mary glared at him as she stood in front of the desk. “Well?”
Landon peered around Mary. “Where is your husband?”
“About.” Mary waved her hand dismissively and then replaced it upon her hip. “You will not be rid of me until I have an answer.”
He wanted to be in his wife’s company. He missed her. Although anxious to see Bronwyn again, he’d have to deal with Mary first. He arched a brow and said, “What would you do if Waterford commanded a retinue follow you about morn, noon and night?”
The woman’s shoulders sagged. “I’d tell him he was ridiculously overprotective.”
“Not that I need to explain or justify my actions to you, but the grounds are patrolled. There have been no reported threats since we arrived. Besides, I sensed Bronwyn wished for a bit of time to herself. Thus, I gave the order to give her a wide berth. Why are you here?”
“I was advised I was needed here.”
“Really?”
“Yes. I believe it best if I left the explanations to your wife.”
Was Bronwyn that upset?
Landon sat forward. “Did she send for you?”
“Not in the typical fashion.”
Landon stood, and Mary averted her gaze.
