Page 16 of How the Earl Entices

But she definitely couldn’t stay home. “I needed to see Ethan and make certain he was safe.”

That was the God’s honest truth. She’d always put Ethan’s well being before her own, and today was no different, especially with the man-sized threat of Ross Carlisle bearing down upon her.

Alice reached for a mug, then filled it with tea from the kettle sitting on the stovetop. “You know I’ll protect him like he was my own. You didn’t have to risk your neck.”

“I wasn’t risking my neck.” Although she certainly now craned it toward the stairs, still searching for her son. She wouldn’t calm down until she saw him with her own eyes. “The storm’s nearly over. Just a bit of rain. Nothing worth fretting about it.”A lie. She was nearly soaked through by the half-mile walk into the village, although the winds had howled themselves out. “And I—I have to ask you a favor.” She bit her bottom lip. “Can you keep him here with you for the rest of the day?”

Alice frowned. “Don’t you want him home with you?”

What she wanted was for Ethan not to discover a large—and currently naked—man tied to his mother’s bed. There was no good explanation for that, and no way to be rid of Ross until nightfall. She simply couldn’t risk that he’d be seen leaving. “I need him to stay here.”

Alice stiffened. She was the only other person in the world who knew the truth of Grace’s past. “Is something wrong?”

More than I can say. Yet she dissembled, “Just a problem that blew in during the storm.”

“Do you need me to fetch Mr. Dawson to help you?”

“Not at all.” She feigned a smile of embarrassment and swallowed down the guilt of lying to her closest friend. “One of the shutters came unfastened last night, and there was some damage to the window. I don’t want Ethan there underfoot while I’m trying to fix it.” When that lie didn’t seem to mollify Alice, Grace added, “I also didn’t sleep a wink last night. I don’t think I’m in the proper condition to take care of Ethan today.” That was the God’s honest truth.

“All right.” But the way Alice said that made Grace suspect that she didn’t think she’d be catching up on her sleep this afternoon.

“By evening, everything will be back to normal.” If she could take Ross at his word as a gentleman that he would leave, that is, taking those peculiar pages right along with him. With a flicker of worry over the new mess fate had flung her into, she paused to listen for her son. Hearing nothing, she called out, “Ethan, now!”

A head peered over the top of the stairs. “Yes, Mother?”

Thank God.“Come down so I can see you.” And pull him into her arms. Even now she ached at having been so long apart from him, from worrying about him every minute since she’d left him here yesterday afternoon—twice as much since she recognized Ross and realized the threat he unwittingly posed. She shuddered, the fear so strong that it pained her.

“All right,” Ethan heaved out in aggravation. When she saw him grimace, her heart tore.

He dutifully thumped his way down the narrow stairs, taking his sweet time. Every second of delay agonized her. When he finally got close enough, she flung her arms around him and pulled him to her, not caring that she was crushing him.

She closed her eyes, choking back the soft sob of relief that he was safely back in her arms where he belonged.

With a scowl, he pushed her away and stepped back. His face darkened with that same defiant expression he always wore lately, which ripped her heart even more.

“Were you all right last night?” She brushed her fingers through his hair the way she’d done since he was still in leading strings. “Did you listen to Mrs. Walters and do as she asked?”

“Yes.” He ducked his head away, just out of her reach.

Her hand fell to her side. She forced a smile, pretending that it didn’t pain her that her son was no longer a baby. But he needed her protection now more than ever. “What did you two do to pass the time?”

He shrugged a shoulder.

“We played games and sang songs,” Alice answered for him. “And roasted apples over the fire.”

Her smile widened with relief that his night away had been so ordinary. “That sounds wonderful.”

“Guess so,” he grumbled.

At that moment, Grace had a terrible glimpse of how sullen and dour he would be as a young man. He was already becoming a handful and challenging her more and more every day. However would she handle him?

“What did you do last night, Mother?”

Her stomach somersaulted. He was watching her closely, waiting for an answer—Heavens, she could never tell him the truth! “I went to bed early.” Not entirely a lie. Shehadgone to bed early, only to be taken prisoner a few hours later. “Then spent the entire night missing you terribly.”

At that, Ethan scowled. Only a few months ago, he would have flung his arms around her neck and hugged her, happy to see her and eager to return her affections. But not now. Her little boy was disappearing before her eyes.

“I’m helping Mrs. Walters sort through some old boxes.” He glanced longingly toward the stairs, and toward escape from his mother. “Can I go back up?”