Page 2 of The Duke's Impossible Deal
“The children are safe, My Lady.” Mr. Yately panted with the effort of holding her back. “They were not in the room when the tree fell.”
“Do not lie to me. I can see Gigi’s scarf!” Rowen roared, the thundering of her heart drowned out by the pounding of the rain. “Gigi!”
“It is only her scarf, My Lady. I swear. She is safe!” Mr. Yately was dragging her away, panting harder.
He is lying.How dare he lie to me?
Rowen was prepared to bite the man, to do anything to break free of his grasp and get to her child. She did not care what happened to her, but she would not let her children suffer.
“My Lady, please, Mr. Yately is telling the truth.” Miss Harris appeared beside her, wet strands of hair plastered to her pale face. “Young Lady Georgia was in one of her moods, and I thought that perhaps a snack would brighten it. I sent her and Master Alistair to the kitchens.”
Her voice was shaky, but her words cut through some of the panic that had filled Rowen.
“I was just about to look for them when the tree came crashing through.”
“It is lucky you did, or else you might have been in there when it happened,” Mr. Yately remarked.
Rowen finally stopped fighting him. She let out a ragged breath as he lowered her onto her feet and released her. “Thank heaven above.”
Her heart began to slow, and she rested a hand on her chest. Rain was coming through the hole in sheets, seeping into the carpets and hangings.
“Someone close the door, for goodness’ sake.” Mrs. Brown had arrived and was gesticulating to the doorway while she tried to catch her breath.
“Of course.” A footman began to wrestle with the door, trying to close it against the roaring wind, but the latch had been broken some weeks ago.
Yet another thing that I do not have the funds to repair.
“I suspect we will need to block it with something, Mrs. Brown, Miss Harris, come and help me move this against the door while Mr. Yately and Mr. Arnold hold the door in place.”
“That was the late Earl’s favorite sideboard! It is mahogany from the Far East with an ivory inlay!” Mrs. Brown exclaimed.
Rowen could hear the unspoken words:it is worth a lot.
She gave her housekeeper a look and pointed to the hideous bit of furniture. “And now it will be a doorstop. It will be ruined one way or another. At least this way, it will do some good.”
Mrs. Brown pursed her lips but made no further objection, and the three women pushed the heavy sideboard and, with the help of the two men, wedged it against the door.
“Find some other bits as well—the last thing we need is the dratted door opening again.” Rowen swiped her sodden hair from her face. “And use that rug to stem the flow of water—and anything else you can find.”
“Of course, My Lady.” The footman inclined his head and disappeared.
Rowen glanced at Mr. Yately, who was adjusting the lapels of his jacket. “Are you all right, Mr. Yately? I fear I elbowed you rather hard.”
She felt her cheeks warm at the memory.
Mr. Yately gave her an understanding smile as he bowed his head. “I have experienced worse knocks, My Lady. I apologize for my rather improper actions. But I could not allow you to put yourself in danger.”
“While it was improper, it was necessary. I would have fought the King himself had he stood in my way.” Rowen shuddered as she remembered Georgia’s blue scarf fluttering beneath the tree.
“I do not doubt that,” Mrs. Brown piped up, though Rowen could hear the amusement and affection in her voice.
“Was anyone hurt? Miss Harris, you were the closest when the tree crashed through.” Rowen turned to the governess.
“A few bruises, My Lady. The crash gave me rather a fright, and I fell in my haste to get away from it.” Miss Harris rubbed her elbows. “But no doubt Cook will have something for that.”
Rowen nodded. “She does have a knack for that sort of thing, which is rather fortunate, given Gigi’s propensity for mischief.”
And my lack of funds.
