AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Albina made to move from her slightly reclined position, thinking that he had come to remove her from the library, but Lord Addenbrook quickly hurried towards her, his hands outstretched as though he intended to physically prevent such a thing.
“No, pray do not move.” His hand rested on her shoulder and Albina settled back against the cushions, a little embarrassed at the situation. “Are you quite all right?”
“My head aches, but I am not at all close to fainting, as I once was.” She tried to smile, but Lord Addenbrook’s face remained set, filled with concern. “Thank you, my Lord, for your help. I will not intrude on your time any further.”
Despite his closeness, she sat up carefully until she was in a seated position, smoothing her skirts over her knees. The pain in her head had lessened somewhat, but she was still very weary and the ache in her skull was pushing down into her neck and back. The only thing she wanted to do was retire so that she could sleep and, hopefully, recover. She would have to make certain to return to her room without delay and with the hope that none of the guests – particularly Lord Kingston – were nearby.
“Pray, stay for a few moments, until your color has improved.” Lord Addenbrook sat down but it was only on the edge of the seat, his hands clasped, his elbows resting on his knees and his brows low over his eyes. “Can I have the maid bring you something more to drink? Tea? Mayhap a brandy?”
She shook her head, then winced.
“No, I am quite all right. I thank you.”
“Might I ask what happened? Did you have some sort of fall?”
Albina hesitated. She did not want to bring any blame on any of the staff, but she also considered it important to inform Lord Addenbrook about what had occurred. The strength of the person who had pushed back against her, as well as their height, made her quite certain that it was a man rather than a woman who had collided with her.
“I had finished settling Henry in his bed and thought to retire early myself, as I have already prepared for the morrow. However, as I was making my way to my bedchamber, the door to the schoolroom opened and a man came out hurriedly, knocking into me.” Dropping her eyes to the floor, she swallowed hard. “I was thrown back against the wall and hit my head.”
“This man must have been in some haste.”
She nodded.
“I suppose so.”
Lord Addenbrook ran his fingers across his chin.
“Did you see who it was? Is it someone that you have seen before?”
“I did not have the opportunity to see who it was, my Lord.” Albina spread her hands. “I cannot say whether or not it was someone I have already seen in your household.”It would not have been Lord Kingston, even though my heart is determined to push such a thought into my mind.She drew in a deep breath, closing her eyes for a moment. “But for whatever reason, such a person was in the schoolroom, which is most unusual. And they did not stop after colliding with me – they simply continued, leaving me there.”
Lord Addenbrook’s lips bunched.
“That is, as you have said,mostunusual. It is a pity that you did not get a closer look at the fellow.” His eyes caught hers. “No-one ought to have been upstairs in the schoolroom, however. I will send someone to make certain that nothing has been disturbed and that the room is quite secure for you and Henry. You must inform me at once if such a thing ever happens again.” She nodded, lowering her eyes. He was being very kind, and Albina certainly appreciated his reassurance. “I must also apologize for accusing you of imbibing, Miss Trean. That was inappropriate and I should not have thought such a thing of you.”
His voice had softened, and Albina’s heart quickened just a little. When she dared bring her eyes to his, there was a gentleness about them that made her heart race even more.
“I will accompany you to–”
There was a tap on the door before Lord Addenbrook could finish and, upon Lord Addenbrook’s direction, the butler stepped in.
“My Lord, the guests are currently waiting for your direction.”
Lord Addenbrook closed his eyes and let out a huff of breath.
“Very well.”
Rising, he held out one hand towards Albina who, a little astonished, looked at it for a few seconds before realizing what she was meant to do.
Her hand touched his and something ignited in her core. Uncertain with what to do with such a sensation and afraid that he would see it in her eyes, Albina quickly lowered her gaze to the floor and rose to her feet, staggering forward a little as stars began to blur her vision.
“You need to rest.” Lord Addenbrook’s hand was tight on hers, his other hand slipping around her waist for a moment. “I will accompany you to your bedchamber.”
Albina wanted to protest that she did not need him to assist her, and that she would be more than able to climb the staircase herself, but sense told her that she would be wise just to accept his help.
“I thank you. You are most kind.”
“My Lord.” The butler frowned, his gaze darting towards Albina for a moment. “Your guests. Is there anything required?”
