At the sound of the pugilist’s voice, he finally looked behind him. The man released him and sat upon the ice, wearing no coat himself.
Christopher quickly sat and pulled Sophie into his arms. As he tried to stand, her wet weight started to pull him over until Mr. Billings grabbed his arm and helped him remain upright. They both moved to the edge, cheers erupting around them.
Mr. Billings let go of his arm and waved at the crowd. “Get you all back into the house. You ladies will catch your death out here.”
Thankful to the man, Christopher quickly sat Sophie on the bench and unhooked her heavy, wet cloak. He pulled off his greatcoat and wrapped her in it. After ripping off his blades, he lifted her in his arms again and ran for the house, passing the students who’d come out to see what was happening. He’d just reached the servants’ door when it was opened by Lady Rose.
“Upstairs, to her room. Follow me.”
He didn’t have to be told twice, ascending the stairs as fast as Rose to get Sophie warm again. Once inside her room, he moved to the bed to lay her down.
“No. Not there. On the settee. I need to get her out of those clothes and wrapped in blankets until the bath is ready.”
He turned around and laid Sophie down. She was listless, her head lolling to the side. His heart stopped hard in his chest. He put his ear closer to her lips, to make sure she still breathed. The lightest of breaths touched his cold ear.
“Now get out, so I can make her well.”
He spun around as fury filled him. “You did this.” The words were barely ground out.
Rose’s confident look of a moment ago crumbled. “I did. But you have to let me help her. Please.”
He swallowed as much of his anger as he could. “Do not let her die.”
Rose’s eyes widened before she nodded.
He turned back to Sophie and kissed her on the lips, then whispered, “Live, my Rosalind. For me, live.”
He thought he saw her lips move, but wasn’t sure. He’d just stood to leave when Lady Sommerset bustled in, followed by his brother.
The lady was clearly upset. “What has happened here?”
“I’ll let Lady Rose tell you while you help Lady Sophie.” He stepped aside to allow his sister-in-law to view Sophie. Immediately, she went to her. Since there was nothing more he could do, he pointedto the door. “Let’s go, brother. They have a life to save in here.”
For once, Andrew didn’t question him.
“I need a drink and a fire.”
“Then follow me.” Andrew led the way down another corridor and opened the door to a sitting room.
Christopher had no idea where he was, but there was a fire and he stepped to it, his wet clothes feeling cold and heavy.
“Here.” Andrew handed him a whisky, and he tossed it back. The liquid filled his veins with warmth, but his heart remained frozen.
Andrew moved to a connecting door then returned with a dressing gown. “You better get out of those clothes. Here.”
Christopher took the dressing gown his brother offered and dropped it on a nearby chair. His back wasn’t wet, and still it was almost impossible to peel off his clothes. He hoped the ladies were intelligent enough to cut Sophie out of hers. As he tied the dressing gown he’d donned, he thought about going back to tell them, but his brother was between him and the door.
“Don’t worry. She couldn’t be in better hands. Lady Rose has studied medicine under the duchess. She’ll get Lady Sophie warmed up. Here, have another. You need to warm up, too.”
He took his refilled glass from Andrew and sipped it.
“Now, you want to tell me how you and Lady Sophie came to be skating on the pond alone together?”
Christopher scowled at his brother. “We weren’t skating. Lady Rose had planned a prank for me by weakening the ice with my scotch.” He held his glass aloft for a moment to let that information settle. “Lady Sophie found out and tried to warn me but ended up breaking through. We weren’t alone, as Lady Rose had followed Sophie out, as did Mr. Billings, who must have seen the commotion from the faculty dining room, as well as a handful of other students. Not that it matters. I plan to ask the lady to marry me.”
The glass decanter rattled against a glass as Andrew turned insurprise with his own drink. “Excuse me? You know you don’t have to, since, as you said, you had plenty of company.”
“I know I don’t have to. I want to.” Christopher turned to face the fire, rolling the stiffness from his shoulders. He couldn’t get the image out of his mind of Sophie disappearing beneath the frozen surface and into the black, watery abyss.
