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It was hard going—the horse stumbled a couple of times, but plodded on, head bobbing, wanting out of the rain as much as she did. Amelia was unable to see much of anything in that torrential downpour, but she was aware that he led the horse off the main road and onto a trail that went through the woods. They eventually emerged at the back of the mansion at Hollyfield. The horse picked up its pace, loping for the open doors of the stable.
The horse trotted inside and stopped in the middle of the stable. Horses in their stalls snorted and whickered at them. Amelia realized she was panting, unable to catch her breath.
A groom appeared and took hold of the horse’s bridle. Marley dismounted, then lifted Amelia down. But as she was still clutching her boot, she couldn’t brace herself against him, and he lifted her in a way that her body was pressed against his, sliding down the length of him until she landed lopsided, still clutching that damn boot as if it was everything she had in the world.
He stepped back, looked her up and down, and noticed the boot. Then he lifted his gaze to hers, slowly placed his hands on his hips, and his eyes narrowed accusingly. “What in God’s name were you doing out in this storm?”
Did he think she’d gone out in it intentionally? She was shivering so hard that her teeth were clattering. “Oh, just out for a stroll.”
He opened his mouth as if he meant to shout, but then quickly clamped it shut.
“For heaven’s sake, it came up while I was out. It wasn’t myintentionto be thoroughly soaked.”
“Pardon my skepticism. I think we can agree that one never knows with you.”
“We can agree to no such thing. Ialwaysknow. Thank you, incidentally, for coming to my rescue.”
He was still looking at her with a confused expression. Like he didn’t understand her at all. Like she was some sort of creature he had never in his life seen before this moment.
“Why must you look so confused? I walked to the abbey, but I didn’t realize how far it was by foot, and by the time I did, it was too late.” She rubbed her free hand against her arm.
Marley’s expression darkened. “You need dry clothes. Come with me.”
“I best go on to Iddesleigh. I can walk the rest of the way—”
“The devil you can,” Marley said. “Look at that storm,” he said, gesturing to the deluge they could see falling through the open doors.
It was a daunting sight, all right. “They will send out a search party.”
Marley nodded. He looked at the young groom. The young groom’s eyes nearly popped out of his head, because he, too, could see the storm, and apparently, he could see what his lord was thinking, as well. “Well then, Theo—today is the day you are a hero.”
“Your Grace?”
“Take care of him,” the duke said, pointing to the horse. He shrugged out of his heavy cloak and draped it over the stall gate. Then he removed his hat and balanced it on top of the cloak. “When you’ve brushed him and given him a bucket of oats, take my cloak and hat and go to Iddesleigh House. You are to tell Lord Iddesleigh that Her Royal Highness was caught in the rain but is safe at Hollyfield and will be returned as soon as the storm passes.”
Theo’s eyes rounded even more.
“And you will remain there until the storm passes. Iddesleigh will see you are fed and kept dry. Do you understand what you are to do?”
The apple in Theo’s throat moved up and down with his swallow. “Aye, Your Grace.”
“Good lad.” Marley turned back to Amelia. “You. Come,” he said, and began striding for the open door.
Amelia hobbled after him. “Where?”
“Inside, of course.”
“Inside your house?”
Marley looked back at her with obvious exasperation. “Contrary to your earlier observations, my house is not abandoned. It is a house, it is reasonably dry, and at least some of the rooms are warm.” He reached for her hand. “And presently, madam, it’s the only option you have.” He wrapped his fingers around hers and tugged her into moving with him, striding forward as she hobbled along behind him.
But at the open doors, they paused. The rain was coming down so hard she could scarcely see the house. Marley’s grip—a very large and strong grip, she couldn’t help notice—was tight. “Can you run?”
“I think so.”
He looked at the boot she held. “Bloody hell,” he muttered. “Please oblige me by not resisting.”
“What?”
