Louise pressed her hand to the glass, watching the snow swirl. “Then we’re trapped.”
“For the moment.” Aaron moved to the fireplace, finding a small stack of wood beside it. “I’ll see about making this habitable.”
He disappeared into the corridor, returning minutes later with an armful of blankets and more firewood.
“The landlady was sympathetic to our plight.” He set down his burdens. “I’ve arranged for our horses to be stabled in the yard behind the building. They’ll be out of the worst of it.”
Louise hadn’t moved from the window. In the dim light, she looked fragile in a way she never permitted herself at Calborough House. The weight of her brother’s disappearance, the ransacked rooms, and now the storm trapping them here. It was finally taking its toll.
Aaron kneeled on the hearth and coaxed the fire to life. Warmth slowly crept into the room, pushing back the worst of the chill.
“Come away from the window.” His voice came out rougher than intended. “You’ll freeze standing there.”
She turned, and he saw the brightness of unshed tears in her eyes. “What if we never find him? What if whoever took these things has already?—”
“Don’t.” Aaron rose and closed the distance between them. “We don’t know what’s happened to George. Speculation won’t help.”
“I can’t help it.” Her voice broke. “He’s my brother. For all his faults, he’s still my brother.”
The urge to touch her was nearly overwhelming. Aaron kept his hands at his sides through sheer force of will.
“Sit by the fire. Warm yourself.” He gestured to the threadbare rug before the hearth. “We may be here for some time.”
Louise moved to the fire, sinking down onto the rug with her skirts pooling around her. Aaron settled beside her, close enough to share warmth but careful to maintain propriety. The flames crackled between them and the howling wind outside.
“I’m sorry,” Louise said quietly. “For insisting on coming. You were right. I’ve only complicated things.”
“You gave us the address. That’s more than I had.” Aaron stared into the flames. “And you were right, too. You do know George’s habits better than I could.”
“Much good it did us. Someone else knew them, too.”
They sat in silence, watching shadows dance across the walls. The storm showed no signs of abating. If anything, the wind grew fiercer, rattling the windows in their frames.
Louise began to shiver despite the fire’s warmth. Aaron saw gooseflesh rising on her arms and noticed the way she hugged herself against the cold.
“Come here.”
She looked at him, startled.
“You’re freezing.” He opened his arm, an invitation. “Body heat is the most efficient way to stay warm. This isn’t impropriety. It’s survival.”
Louise hesitated for only a moment before shifting closer. Aaron wrapped his arm around her shoulders, pulling her against his side. She was stiff at first, holding herself carefully apart even as their bodies touched. Then, gradually, she relaxed into him.
“This isn’t proper,” she murmured, though she made no move to pull away.
“Hypothermia isn’t proper either.”
A surprised laugh escaped her. “Is that your medical opinion, Your Grace?”
“It’s common sense.” He adjusted the blanket around them both. “We’re trapped in a freezing room during a blizzard. Propriety can wait until we’re not in danger of losing fingers to frostbite.”
She was quiet for a moment. “Emily is afraid of storms.”
“My aunt will comfort her.”
“I should be there. I’m always there when she’s frightened.”
“You can’t be everywhere at once.” Aaron’s hand moved almost of its own accord, stroking her arm through the fabric of her sleeve. “Your sister is resilient. She’ll manage one night.”
