“I will see it is so.” Geraint tucked the book into his jacket. “And now, gentlemen, we have an assassination attempt to foil and a riot to quell.”
Chapter Thirty-Two
Beth woke and stretched, then instantly regretted the act. Her body twinged and ached all over. She smiled. Nathan loved her and she loved him; nothing else mattered.
They would ensure the king was not assassinated and then live a wonderful life together. Making love to him had been a revelation. So much emotion and sensation; that too would be part of their future together. And children… Her smile grew.
Climbing out of bed, she tripped and stumbled. Walter grumbled but didn’t wake.
Tears seeped from her eyes. Nathan would have put him in here knowing she could wake remembering the events of last night. He did not want her to be scared.
“Nathan,” she sighed, going to the window. Drawing the curtains, she saw the sun was high in the sky. Clearly, she’d slept for hours.
The king!
Pulling a blanket from the bed, she wrapped it around her shoulders and hurried from the room.
“Good morning, Miss Carlow.” Fairfax, the Deville butler, appeared. “If you will follow me, I will take you to the dining parlor. Lady Carlow and Miss Saint-Bonnard are there.”
“Oh, well…” Looking down at the blanket wrapped round her body, she said, “Are any of the Deville men there?”
“No, Miss Carlow. Mr. Forrest Deville and Miss Ella have gone to the earl’s estate in Sussex.”
“Where is Mr. Deville?”
Fairfax appeared not to hear her and simply walked away.
“Fairfax, where is Mr. Deville?” She hurried to catch him.
“I am unsure, Miss Carlow.” He opened a door and ushered her through.
“Walter is at present sleeping on the floor of my room, Fairfax. I think he possibly needs to be let outside.”
“I will see it done, Miss Carlow.”
“How do you feel?” Her mother came to hug her as she entered. “I have just received word from Mr. Daniel Dillinger that all is well with your father. Lord Raine asked him to go to Reading and check on him.”
“That is wonderful news, Mother.” Beth was relieved, as she too had worried how he was faring. “Good morning, Miss Saint-Bonnard.” Beth curtseyed in her blanket.
“I insist you call me Dimity, as I will be calling you Beth. Now, sit. You need sustenance and a pot of tea. Your mother has just given me some of the details of your ordeal last night. I’m so sorry you have suffered, dear. But pleased it is now in the past.”
“Thank you.”
Dimity wore lavender and looked fresh and pretty, making Beth’s appearance seem even worse, if that was possible. She sat, hiding most of her blanket. Grabbing a piece of cake, she took a huge bite.
“Do you know where Nathan is?” Beth asked Dimity.
“I don’t and have yet to see Gabe,” she replied. “Fairfax, where are the brothers?”
He dropped his eyes. “They are from the house, Miss Carlow.”
The clink of Dimity’s cup as she lowered it to its saucer had Beth looking at her. She in turn was studying the butler.
“You did not tell me they had left the house. I was led to believe they were still resting after the night’s events.”
“I—ah, I don’t believe you asked.” The butler was clearly uncomfortable now.
“Where have they gone, Fairfax?” Dimity rose and went to stand before him, thereby blocking his exit.
