“B-But we cannot stay here.”
“We have room,” Zach said. “Tomorrow is soon enough to work out the rest. Tonight your brother is tired, and no doubt hungry.”
“I am that, sir.”
They got out, and he paid the hackney driver. Fairfax opened the door as they arrived.
“How is the countess?” Zach asked.
“No news as yet, sir.”
“We need rooms for Miss Knight and her brother for the evening, Fairfax. Plus food and bathing water,” Forrest said.
“Oh, but there is so much going on already,” Ruby rushed to add. “Is there room in the servants’ quarters, Fairfax? We will sort ourselves out.”
He gave the butler a look which of course he interpreted with ease.
“I fear not, Miss Knight.”
“Excellent. I believe my sister’s room is free, and that there is a small one beside it also?” Nathan said. “Please settle the Knights in there, Fairfax.”
“I—”
“Just accept that you are staying here tonight and stop arguing.” He leaned in to whisper the words into her ear.
“Very well,” she said in a curt voice that made him want to smile.
“If you will follow me.”
She and Adam followed the butler. The boy navigated the stairs slowly but managed well now he had his new walking sticks.
“I must see Ella, then I will meet you in Gabe’s office,” Forrest said. “Thank you for what you did this night.” He shook his cousins’ hands.
“I will pour you a brandy,” Nathan said.
He found his daughter curled up on her side, sleeping. Forrest pulled up her blankets, then bent to kiss a soft cheek.
“Sweet dreams, my love.”
He then went to his room to wash before heading down to find his cousins. He found Zach eating, and Nathan drinking with Michael while they went through the contents of the things he’d taken from theGodfrey. Gabe was pacing, but to Forrest’s eyes he looked a little blurry-eyed.
“How are you, cousin?” Forrest stepped into his path.
“Worried. Sick, and want it over with. I can’t go into the room, and staff are sprinting up and down the stairs with hot water and things, and all anyone will say is the countess is doing well!”
“Which is to be expected.”
“Don’t use that calm tone on me, Forrest. I should have taken her home. We are all set up there, but we panicked!”
The earl was unraveling. He looked angry and scared and in need of an outlet.
“You can’t hit me, Gabe. I’m blood, and it would be wrong.”
“I know.” The earl’s shoulders slumped.
“Distract me by telling me everything that has occurred, as they would not speak until you arrived. Not only have I been tormented with worry for the woman who owns my soul, but also for the men I quite like.”
“No, please, stop, I can take no more of your effusive love,” Nathan said flatly.
