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Lord Addenbrook’s head twisted towards him.
“I will be with them shortly. Miss Trean requires assistance after that dreadful incident and I must make certain that both she and Henry are safe for the remainder of the evening.”
The butler did not protest, and Albina flushed, aware that Lord Addenbrook was putting her needs first before his guests.
“I do not wish to make any sort of difficulty, my Lord. I am sure that –”
“No. I will accompany you. Come, Miss Trean.”
Without saying anything further, Lord Addenbrook walked towards the door which the butler obligingly opened for them. Albina walked alongside him, her face hot, but her heart filled with gratitude at his concern and his willingness to both help her and make certain that she was quite safe. This was more than she had expected from him. His nearness, however, sent all manner of sensations through her – sensations that she was not quite able to sort out and certainly unable to remove. They grew all the more as his hand supported her around her waist, his other hand still holding hers as they ascended the stairs.
“Do you require a maid?”
Albina smiled, grateful for the candles that now lit the hallway towards her bedchamber and towards Henry’s. She would not have to stand here alone with him in the dark.
“No, I thank you.”
“If there is anything that you require – or if you are too unwell come the morning – then you are to rest, and I will make certain that a maid takes on your responsibilities. You are not to worry, Miss Trean.”
“You are most generous, Lord Addenbrook.”
His hand was still tight on her own and a sensation of creeping warmth up her arm made Albina’s face burn. She could only pray that he would not see her red face in the dim candlelight. Her eyes dropped to their joined hands, just as Lord Addenbrook looked down also. When he lifted his head, their eyes met and, with a clearing of his throat, Lord Addenbrook released her hand.
“I shall inform you at once if there is any need for change in Henry’s care, although I am determined to make certain I am present with him as I usually am.”
Lord Addenbrook’s grin flashed white in the dim light.
“You are nothing if not determined, Miss Trean.” His smile faded. “But I am certain that Henry will appreciate such determination a great deal.”
There was nothing she could say in response to this. Hearing the edge of weariness in his voice, Albina stepped back.
“I should allow you to return to your guests.” She bobbed a curtsey. “Thank you, Lord Addenbrook. You have been very kind to me.”
“But of course.” The firmness had returned to his voice and to his stature and, with a snap of his heels, he inclined his head just a little, as if he knew, somehow, that she was a lady rather than just a governess. “Good evening, Miss Trean, and I hope that you recover soon.”
Albina could not help but watch him depart, her eyes fixed to his back and her heart fluttering wildly.
“Good night, Lord Addenbrook.”
Chapter Nine
“And whilst you will, of course, see the many portraits from my family line, you will also find a good number of paintings from various artists that I admire.” Patrick spread out his arms towards the hallway and heard the murmurs from his guests, just as he had expected. He waited expectantly for the sense of importance to swell in his chest, for the pride to lift his chin… but none came. Instead, he felt nothing. There was a dullness there, resting deep within him that seemed to steal every other sensation away. A frown chased down his brow. This was not what he had expected. “My most recent purchase you will find hanging here.”
“Is that the one by Turner?”
Patrick glanced sharply at Lord Hogarth who, in his slightly befuddled state given the amount he had imbibed last evening, appeared to have forgotten what had happened to the Turner painting.
“No, it is not,” he replied, a trifle coolly. “It is a Bernini.”
Another few murmurings and Patrick tried to smile but instead, his lips dropped into a flat line. He was gaining very little enjoyment from this, and such a thing had never occurred before. This was meant to be the time when he felt the greatest amount of satisfaction, when his situation as the wealthiest and highest title of those present was the most evident. With every house party – in fact, with every occasion he happened to put on – he had always shown his guests around his manor house. Every single thing of importance was pointed out, he would hear the remarks of his guests and find himself beaming with gratification and self-satisfaction. Patrick was well aware that it did nothing but stoke his arrogance further still, but he did not care. This was just as he wished it.
Which was why it now unsettled him that he felt nothing of his usual delight. There was only that dullness which crept into his mind and lingered there, holding onto him with a vice-like grip.
Patrick grimaced.
“This is all quite wonderful, Lord Addenbrook!”
His smile did not light up his eyes.
