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“Thank you, North.”
“I owe you this much... and more.”
Simon smiled, remembering how only a few weeks ago, he had run off after the man who had shot North and injured Selina too. Just as Simon mounted up, the rain began. “Damn.”
“And now you know why I am heading back to my home,” North said. “I’ll return the mare tomorrow.” North raced off down the road toward Northrop Park.
Simon nudged his horse to a trot. No matter how fast he went, he was bound to get wet so there was no point in possibly injuring himself or his horse. As he rode toward Hartsfield Park, the rain increased, soaking him to the bone. By the time he reached his home, all he wanted was a warm bath by a fire.
Arriving at his estate, he dismounted and handed his reins to the stable boy. “Make sure he gets some extra oats tonight, lad.”
“Yes, milord.”
The front door opened as he approached. Before he even entered the house, he could hear Harris shouting at the footmen to draw a bath and start a fire in his bedchamber. Harris was worth every pound he paid him.
“How is Miss Featherstone?”
“Mrs. Featherstone wants to see you, my lord. She said it was important.”
Important? Oh dear God, Mia must be worse off than he expected. Simon raced up the stairs to the rose bedchamber and knocked on the door.
“Thank goodness you have returned,” Selina said as she opened the door.
“What’s wrong with Miss Featherstone?” Simon walked into the room and cringed. He’d known it would happen, but seeing the way Mia’s eye had swollen and bruised made his anger return.
Mia opened her good eye and smiled. “You look dreadful, my lord. Do you not know enough to come out of the rain?”
Mrs. Featherstone grabbed his elbow and dragged him into the adjoining salon. After shutting the door, she turned to him. “She is badly injured. In addition to her noticeable bruises, she has two cracked ribs. I have bound them but we cannot move her yet.”
“Of course. There is no issue with her staying here. I have plenty of bedchambers.”
“And more importantly, you can keep her safe.”
Simon nodded. “No one will gain entrance to this house unless I know them. Harris will make sure of that.”
“Good. I need to check on Mrs. Smith again. I was with her when you called me up here.” Mrs. Featherstone stared at him with those probing blue eyes. “I trust with your mother here that I do not need to worry about a chaperone.”
The reality of her words slammed into him. Mia would be in his home... alone with him. “My mother left today to visit Caroline and her husband. But with a dozen servants in this house, you have nothing to worry over. Every one of them would watch your daughter like she was their own. Besides, the duchess will stay the night.”
“True. And you are a gentleman, are you not?”
“Of course.”
Mrs. Featherstone’s lips twitched. “That is good while she is healing. But perhaps not when she is well.”
Simon’s eyes widened. What exactly was her mother saying? “Excuse me?”
“I want my daughter safe, my lord. Do what you must to keep her that way. Use any means.” She stared up at him. “Any means.”
Chapter 3
The earl returned to Mia’s room after changing his clothes. Her dearest friend, Selina, excused herself while Hart sat down in the chair next to her bed. Every bone and muscle in her body ached and yet, she didn’t want to tell him of her woes. She had seen his anger before and hated how it had made her feel small and helpless.
“How are you, Miss Featherstone?”
“I am mending. Thank you for bringing me here and...” Tears welled in her eyes and one finally breached her cheek. She didn’t have the strength to wipe it away. A large hand cupped her face and his thumb slid the tear away.
“We can talk tomorrow when you are feeling better.”
