AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Dash took her arm and marched her down the hallway. “Summon Totty, Reese. Lady Perdita has had a shock,” he spoke over his shoulder. “We’ll be in the library.”
“Dash, I’m capable of speaking to the servants.” She pivoted, pulling out of Dash’s grip. “Please do not summon Totty, Reese. It is very late. Rosetta and Emmy will assist me.” And she linked her arm with Emmy instead. “I think we are both in need of fortification.”
“A thimble size only,” Emmy quirked, imitating her father, who publicly disdained drink but enjoyed a snifter or two. “I believe I will pass on spirits tonight. Shall I summon Rosetta to draw you a bath?”
“Not yet. Beldon and I need to search Roddy’s library.”
Dita wasn’t convinced there was anything new for Dash to find. “Good evening, Billy.” The earnest youth was standing on alert and had swept the doors open as they approached.
“Billy, can you build the fire? Her ladyship is chilled,” Dash commanded.
Dita took off his jacket and handed it to him before seating herself in front of the fire that Billy was igniting into snapping flames. The library provided comfort with all the memories she and Roddy shared here. She had to believe that Roddy would soon be sitting across from her. He had appeared more than tired when she replayed their last night together. Had he known of the danger he would get into? A chill swept through her despite her close position to the roaring fire.
Dash threw his jacket over one of the chairs before striding to the side table with the decanter, glasses, and the bottle of Roddy’s best French brandy. His powerful form and his confident manner diminished the shadows hovering in the room.
He poured a large snifter and proceeded to hand one to Dita. “Tonight has been difficult for you. This will heat you and help you sleep.”
She didn’t want to dull herself with too much drink, but a sip or two would help to warm her.
Dash didn’t pour himself a drink but went to Roddy’s desk and began to sift through the papers scattered on the desk.
“You waste your time. There is nothing of import. You should leave for Haversham’s. There lies the mystery.”
“I see that the brandy has restored your color and your need to direct me.” Dash’s voice held no rancor when he looked up from the papers. “Is Alfie in London?”
“Alfie? He left last week for Sussex but will return next week. There are a few mares he wanted to check on.”
Dash, like a stallion fighting the bit, strode across the room in his efficient manner but with barely suppressed energy. “I want to have a few men guarding the house tonight until I can bring my men.”
A frisson of fear spiked down Dita’s spine as her brain scrambled to grasp why there would be a threat against the household.
“Do you fear the servants or I are in danger?”
“I don’t believe there is a great risk, but I’d rather be vigilant until we have this sorted out.”
“There will be questions about assigning the men to patrol the grounds.” Tomorrow she would have to address the household. Not wanting to frighten them, she needed to make them aware of the danger.
“We don’t need to share the news of Roddy yet. I will tell the servants that there have been burglaries in the neighborhood. And it would be best not to confide in anyone but Totty and Reese. I feel we should trust no one. And in the morning, it would be good to check with Totty if anyone or anything has been suspicious. I will check with Reese about unexpected guests on my way out.”
Dita didn’t like the implication that their servants couldn’t be trusted, but Dash was correct in using caution. “I just remembered that Roddy had a late-night visitor. At the time, it was surprising. He often had unusual visitors late at night before he left for France, but few since he returned. Coming home late from a soiree, I stopped at the library door to see if Roddy was still awake. I couldn’t hear much but they spoke in French, and Lord Yardley was mentioned several times and the name Carolina. On the night of our ball, I saw Yardley coming out of the library when Roddy was in the ballroom. It struck me as odd at the time, but then I forgot about it with all the demands of the ball. Do you think Lord Yardley is involved with Roddy’s disappearance?”
Dita considered sharing their information about Lord Yardley’s gambling debts, but Dash probably was aware of all the men like himself who owed Haversham.
Dash’s eyes narrowed and a harshness clouded his face. “Did you speak to Roddy about Yardley in the library?”
“No.” She didn’t want to admit that all she could think about after the ball was Dash.
“I will pursue Yardley.” Dash moved to stand in front of her.
“I will send a message to Alfie to return to London, but it may take him a few days.” Dita needed her mentor with her at this time. Dita met Dash’s eyes, sharing an intimate understanding of the role Alfie played in her life.
Dash bent and, for a minute, captured in his caring gaze, she thought he might kiss her. He lifted her hand to his lips. “I promise you that I will not stop until Roddy is safe at home.”
The air in the room thickened. Her heartbeat crashed against her chest violently, echoing in her ears. All her words were gone. All she was capable of was a slight nod, unable to break the connection. He was as trapped as she was in the intense force, unable to release her hand or her stare. His throat worked in a slow undulation.
He sat on the couch and lifted her onto his lap. “I can’t leave you like this. You have no reason to trust me. But if our past means anything to you, you must know that I will never leave you alone. You will always have me in whatever way you decide for our future. I will never stop protecting you.”
She should protest the way he handled her, but the clean smell of his linen shirt, his heat surrounding her, and the earnestness in his voice steadied her.
