“There is something I wish to tell you,” he said and reached for her hand. She duly gave him her hand, and he marveled for a minute at the delicacy of her fingers in his. He could still clearly remember the dance they had shared at the assembly where they met and how her hand had slotted into place in his. It was a perfect fit.
“You have me on tenterhooks, Francis,” she whispered. The use of his first name made him lift her hand to his face and kiss the back, holding her gaze as he did so. She bit her lip in response, her cheeks blushing all the more.
He had to tell her. Now. It was high time that she knew just how madly he had fallen in love with her. Once she knew too, perhaps she would give up altogether talking of going back to the Viscount? Maybe she would be willing to stay with Francis forever.
I pray to God she will.
“Phoebe, I am unsure how to say this, so I apologize if my words come out a little stuttered. It is just…since you have come here, lots has changed.”
“That is an understatement.”
“I suppose so,” he said with a chuckle. “What I’m trying to say is…” He was about to say the words when he paused, noticing as she wrinkled her nose and looked away from him. “What is it? Is something wrong?”
“It’s just…” She paused and sniffed the air. “Do you smell smoke?”
Chapter 25
Phoebe followed Francis out of the room as he jumped to his feet, sniffing the air as she had done. When they reached the hallway, the stench grew stronger.
“Something is burning,” Francis said with horror in his tone. “Mrs Goodman!” he hollered for her, his voice bouncing around the walls.
Seconds later, she came running.
“Your Grace?” She appeared through a doorway.
“Has there been an accident in the kitchen?”
“No, Your Grace,” she said hurriedly, then she sniffed the air too. “Is there a fire?”
“There must be. Everyone, out. Now.” Francis turned Phoebe toward the door, but she planted her feet into the ground.
“What? No,” she said, pulling at him. “Where is Louisa?”
“I’ll find her, but please Phoebe, we have to get out. Now.”
“I’ll get the staff out.” Mrs Goodman ran off through the servant’s door to the other chambers.
Phoebe followed Francis out of the house, not caring if any of the staff in their haste to flee saw her hand in Francis’. It felt foolish to deny there was something between them anymore.
They hurried down the steps and out the front, where Phoebe tripped a couple of times on the pebbled driveway in her effort to keep up with him.
“Josiah!” Francis roared. Lord and Lady Dodge appeared a few minutes later, from the direction of the river.
“Has something happened?” Lord Dodge called then the two of them came to a firm stop and stared up at the window of the house.
“In the name of our Lord,” Lady Dodge said and flung her hands to her mouth.
Phoebe whipped round, just as Francis did, and they both gazed up at the windows on the top floor of the manor house to see smoke curling out of two of the windows.
“It’s…my chamber,” Phoebe said with panic. “Oh my god. Louisa!” she cried the maid’s name and made an attempt to run back into the house, but Francis stopped her. He wrapped an arm around her waist and dragged her backward.
Any other time, she would have been thrilled at such an intimate connection, but now, she was furious.
“Let me go! Louisa is in there!”
“Then I will get her.” Francis put her back down on her feet and pushed her toward Lord and Lady Dodge. “I give you my word, Phoebe, I will get her out, just please stay here.”
Phoebe couldn’t say any words. She was torn, between wanting her friend safe and fearing putting Hayward in danger.
