Page 67 of The Lady Glass
His father set a hand on Lewis’s shoulder. “Anything?”
“It appears we invited a bunch of hunting enthusiasts to our party. Every male guest is in possession of a gun, but all swearto have been asleep. No one saw anything—not a servant, not a mouse.”
“And Michael?” Where was that infernal footman? He ought to know something or at least have a valid reason for not having remained at his post.
“Missing.”
Rolland looked at his father, his face possibly paler than before. “Thank you for your help tonight, Lewis,” Rolland said. He pulled his father toward a chair. “We’ll get to the bottom of this, but for now, you and Mother need to sleep.”
His father rubbed his arm a few inches below his injury. “Do you think that’s possible?”
Rolland inclined his head. “I will personally stand guard outside your door.”
“As will I,” Lewis said.
“Nonsense.” Rolland quickly dismissed the offer. “You already look like the walking dead, and I am wide awake. Sleep while you can, and then I will let you take my place.”
Lewis’s quick agreement was a testament to just how tired he really was. Rolland bid him good night and turned to pull Theresia away from his mother. She had his mother’s hand cradled in her own and was whispering soothing words.
When had the two formed such a friendship? And how had he dismissed how nurturing Theresia could be? He had focused so much on how determined and spirited she was, but her kind nature might very well be her dominant trait. His mother had been working herself into a frenzy before Theresia had returned with a drink, but somehow Theresia had managed to calm her within minutes.
“Lady Glass,” he said, coming up beside her.
“Yes?”
“We are going to let my parents rest now.”
Theresia patted his mother’s hand before releasing it. “Goodnight, Lady Barrack.”
“Thank you for staying with me,” his mother said. “Rolland, isn’t Lady Glass a wonder? I don’t know what I would’ve done tonight without her.”
“I’m grateful to her too.” He bent over and kissed his mother’s forehead before whispering, “I know what you’re doing.”
She put her arms around his shoulders. “Is it working?” she whispered back.
“Don’t get carried away.”
She chortled and swatted his good arm. “It’s too late where that’s concerned.”
For her and him both.
He shook his head and led Theresia to the door. Once in the corridor with the door closed, Theresia turned to him.
“Did you discover anything?”
He glanced down before answering. “Nothing.”
She leaned her shoulder against the wall. “I’m sorry, Rolland.”
He shrugged.
“Will you be all right?”
He met her gaze, those tired golden eyes reaching through him and offering comfort he’d not experienced for some time. When was the last time someone had asked if he was all right? Really all right? “Theresia, I—”
“Rolland!” Marcus called from down the corridor. He was jogging toward them.
Rolland straightened. “What is it?”
