“Your Grace. Lady Annabelle. Thank goodness you’re unharmed.”
The rain stopped stinging her skin, but she kept her eyes closed, her face turned into the duke’s chest. She could not bear to look. Not yet.
“I sent stable hands out to search for you the moment the horses returned alone.”
She recognized the voice. It was Hobbs, the stable master. They were no longer in the storm. Annie breathed a sigh of relief but did not attempt to free herself from the duke’s embrace. She wanted to stay cradled in his arms a little while longer. A foolish notion to be sure. Still, she could not deny herself this small comfort.
“We are unharmed, though the lady is quite shaken. Give us a moment if you would.”
Annie heard footfalls moving away as the duke sat down, still holding her close. He pushed his fingers into the hair at the base of her neck and massaged. “We are in the stables, Ann. You are safe. The storm cannot hurt you.”
She nodded, then tipped her head up to look at him. “You must think me a ninny,” she said, her voice small and shaken.
“Not at all, sweeting. I think you are terrified of storms.”
She sat up and his hand fell away from her neck, though he kept her in place with his arm around her waist. “I cannot abide them. I know it is ridiculous to behave in such a childish way, but I cannot help but be afraid.” She slid off his lap, intent to stand on her own feet, but he pulled her back. “I am quite fine now. I will wait here until it stops. You need not worry about me.”
“I am quite certain you are. All the same, I have no wish to leave you.”
His words and actions chipped away at the wall she’d erected, and she gave him a weak smile. “There is truly no need to stay. I am only afraid when I do not have shelter. I know I am safe in the stables and Hobbs can send someone to fetch me anything I might need.”
The duke pushed a rain soaked curl from her cheek. “You are still shaking.” He lifted her, then deposited her on the bale of hay beside him as he bellowed for Hobbs. “The lady needs a blanket. She is soaked to the bone.”
A moment later, the duke wrapped a blanket around her shoulders, then pulled her close, rubbing his hands up and down her arms. “Would you like something warm to drink?”
Annie met his gaze. She shook her head no. The concern in his blue eyes melted her heart. “When I was a girl, I saw one of the footmen get hit by lightning. A jagged bolt and he was dead. It happened so fast.” She bit her lip to silence herself.
She’d not meant to bond with the duke, yet here she was sharing her fears and her past. Worse, she trusted him. Annie believed he may well be a decent sort, and she wanted to be near him. So much for guarding her heart.
“Anyone who had seen such tragedy would have the same fear,” he said, hugging her closer. “If it were in my power, I would order the skies to remain serene in your presence.”
She studied him, taking the measure of his sincerity. “Would you really?”
He nodded. “Without question.”
She heard footfalls and glanced at the door. Hobbs had ambled in and offered a bow. “The weather has cleared. It is but a light sprinkle now.”
“Thank you, Hobbs,” Annie said, then turned her attention back to the duke.
He reached for her hand and gave a slight squeeze. “We had better return to the house and get you dry before you catch a chill.”
She would rather stay here—with him. A dangerous thought to be sure, but she could not deny the truth. Annie exhaled a breath and stood. “Indeed,” she said, then allowed him to lead her out of the stables and across the rain soaked grounds to the house.
Perhaps she had done them both a disservice. Despite the duke’s reputation, he had been the perfect gentlemen. More than that, he had protected her, cared for her. When most would have chided her, he’d been kind and understanding. She owed him, but an apology hardly seemed enough.
She paused on the steps and met his gaze. “Your Grace?”
“Yes?”
“I would be—”
The door burst open, cutting her off.
“Good Heavens, Annie!” Gran exclaimed. “Get inside before you catch your death.” She swept Annie into the receiving hall as she ordered warm baths to be drawn right away.
Annie cast a longing glance at the duke as Gran led her upstairs. She would have to seek him out later.
Six
