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“What is going on, Miss Abbie?”
The girl gave her a smile, one that overflowed with concern. “You fainted in the entryway. Mr. Keating had some of the footmen bring you here. He told Lord Edais and Lord Edais sent for a doctor.” She dipped the rag, wrung it out once more and settled it back upon Fyre’s forehead. “The doctor said you were just exhausted and needed some rest. So, I am keeping an eye on you while you do that.”
Abbie smiled as she poured some water into a glass and helped Fyre take a few sips, then she laid her back and adjusted the rag.
“Thank you.”
The rag vanished once more. “For what?”
“Staying with me.”
The young woman squeezed her hand before she got back to the task of keeping her head cool. Fyre dropped off to sleep once more and when she woke, it was to find the earl in there whispering with Abbie.
She closed her eyes when he looked in her direction. She didn’t want him to know she was awake. Not much later, the door closed and she snuck a peek. Abbie was the only one there.
“I have to head home.”
Abbie spun toward her. “You are awake. The earl will be so pleased. He has been worried.”
She couldn’t think about that right now. Sitting, she rubbed the nape of her neck. “Will you help me?”
“You wish to leave now? It is night!”
“I think it best. I cannot participate in anything, and I am just a burden on the staff here.”
“Lord Edais will not be happy if you leave without telling him.”
She smiled. “I work for him too, Abbie. He is not really ever happy.”
The woman giggled, and Fyre hoped that meant Abbie would be assisting her. She lacked the energy to walk home.
“I cannot get the earl’s carriage, but I will ask Davie if he will take you home in the wagon.”
“Thank you.”
Her return smile was full of worry but she slipped from the room. Fyre got up and dressed. Her chest still ached, but nothing like before. Perhaps she had done too much. With the addition of the sex at night, it was likely she had just pushed too hard. She had given in to the children and played croquet a few times but, as she’d admitted before, she was dangerous on the field and had soon conceded.
It didn’t take her long to pack her bags and she was waiting on the bed when Abbie returned. Disappointment swept her features as she took in the scene before her.
“Can he help me?”
Abbie nodded. Lips flattening, she took a breath and stepped forward to take the bags. “Follow me. He will meet us outside.”
Fyre rose. “Us? Abbie, you should stay here.” They left the room and she did as Abbie said—followed.
“I am going with. If we are found out, we were simply out trying to find some time alone.”
“I am putting you in danger.”
“You want to go home, we will get you home.” Abbie looked around before sneaking off to the left.
Fyre followed.
True to Abbie’s word, Davie was there with an older pony attached to a wagon. He took the bags and tossed them in the back, then helped Abbie climb up there before assisting Fyre to sit in the seat beside him.
“Thank you, Davie.”
“You wanted to get home.”
He snapped the reins and, with the creak of the wagon, they got moving. He didn’t light the lantern until they’d left the plantation.
She rode in silence as Davie and Abbie bantered back and forth. It was fun listening to them. When he rolled up before her place, he was ready to assist her down before she could move.
They helped her in and Abbie lit a few candles as Davie set her bags down before her room.
“Thank you both,” she said.
Abbie squeezed her hand. “Feel better.” Then she slipped outside, leaving her alone with Davie.
“He will not be happy about this, Miss Gwen.”
She didn’t even pretend to not know who he spoke about. Fyre shrugged. “He has a house full of guests. I doubt he will even notice.”
“We both know, Miss Gwen, that Lord Edais notices everything when it comes to you.” He shook his head. “I will not lie for you. When he asks me what happened I will tell him, but I will not seek him out to tell.”
“I would never expect you to risk your own position more than you have. Thank you, Davie.”
He flushed and tugged on his hat. “I should go. Good night, Miss Gwen.”
The click of the door reminded her she was now just how she pretended to be. Alone.
Yet this time alone meant no Phillip as well. And she didn’t like that.
Chapter Twenty
Phillip had two more days of this. Now he remembered why he hadn’t done these parties often in England. It was exhausting. And he couldn’t believe how needy guests could be. Except one.
