They had done it. After everything that had happened last night they were home safe and sound once more.
“Veronica!” Christopher called out to her when she hit the ground.
“I’m all right,” she called back. “I just- I saw the place and I am just so relieved.”
“Someone!” he called. “We’re back. Come help us.”
His shout summoned the servants who had been out looking for them.
Mrs. Carter raced over to them with a few of the others trotting at her heels. “I’m so glad the two of you are back safe and sound!” she gushed, checking them over with careful diligence. “We have all been so worried about you! We sent out search parties! Goodness! The two of you are positively shaking.”
“We’re likely a bit under the weather after our adventures last night.”
“Goodness! How terribly dreadful. Where have you been?” she shook her head. “Well, I suppose none of that matters right now. What matters is that you are back safe and sound. Come inside quickly. I will let the kitchen know to start making some soup. Perhaps that will help warm you up, stave off the chill.”
“That would be perfect,” Christopher said, helping Veronica back to her feet. She accepted his hand but let go the second she was steady once more. “Thank you. I’m sure both of us could use something to eat and some rest.”
“Of course. That sounds like exactly what you need. Come inside, please come inside.”
The couple allowed themselves to be ushered into the house. Christopher glanced to Veronica.
The poor thing looked exhausted. Even after the little rest they had managed last night, it hadn’t been enough, especially with the chill she was sure to have caught from her time in the river.
He chastised himself once again for not finding her sooner.
Still, he had found her before it was too late and she was back safe now. What was more is after their little talk in the cabin, it seemed that she was not only content to stay, but wanted to stay with him, hard as that was to believe.
But there would be plenty of time to think on that later, for now, it would be far better for both of them to focus on their recover and getting to know one another.
“The stair case to the restricted section came down, so I will be staying in the master bedroom while I recover,” he said when they got inside.
For a moment Mrs. Carter looked at him in shock, then a bright grin broke across her face. Even Veronica shot him a suprised look, but he just gave her a wry smile.
“Of course, your Grace, whatever you like. I’ll make sure the kitchen knows where to send your food,” he could hardly believe how excited his housekeeper sounded. Perhaps she was far more fond of him—or at least of Veronica—than he had realized.
“Thank you,” he said, the words coming out far more genuine than he would have expected to such a simple statement.
“Right this way,” she motioned, them to continue their journey down the halls.
They all make their way up stairs and over to the bedrooms. They stopped at Veronica’s room first.
“Daisy should be waiting for you inside,” Mrs. Carter said. “I had one of the footmen send her up.”
“Thank you so much.”
“It’s simply my job, my dear,” she said before parting ways to walk Christopher the rest of the way to his room.
The second she got through the door, Daisy was by her side.
“Welcome back, your Grace. I’m so glad you made it home safe.”
“Thank you, me too. Can you help me get into a night shirt? I think I have a bit of a fever.”
“Of course, ma’am.”
For a moment, neither of them spoke while she changed, but Veronica could feel Daisy’s questions bubbling away regardless.
“I think it would be best to get your questions out of the way now then to let them fester.”
