“Rosie.” His voice faltered. “Rosie, listen to me. What happened to your mama and papa was an accident. A dreadful accident. But it was not the storm’s doing. Storms are only weather—rain and wind and noise. They cannot harm you while you are safe inside this house.”
“But what ifyougo out?” Rosie lifted her tear-streaked face to him. “What if you go out like they did? What if you don’t come back?”
“I am not going anywhere.” He took her small hand in his. “I promise you, Rosie. I am staying here tonight. I will not leave this house. And when you wake tomorrow morning, the storm will be gone—and I will still be here.”
Her lip trembled. “You promise?”
“I promise.”
She looked at him for a long moment, her blue eyes—so like her mother’s—searching his face for any sign of deception. Then, with a small, broken sound, she released Miss Collard and flung herself into Nathaniel’s arms.
He gathered her close at once, feeling her heart race against his chest. She was so small. So fragile. So dependent on the adults in her life to keep her safe.
And he had failed her.
“I’m sorry,” he murmured into her hair, uncertain whether he was speaking to Rosie or to himself. “I’m so sorry.”
Thunder cracked again. Rosie flinched, but did not scream. She pressed closer instead, clutching his coat.
“It’s all right,” he said softly, rocking her. “I’ve got you. You’re safe.”
Over Rosie’s head, his gaze met Miss Collard’s.
She was watching them with an expression he could not quite decipher—tender, sorrowful, deeply moved. Yet beneath it lay strain. Pain. A resolve pushed past endurance.
“Miss Collard,” he said quietly. “You ought to rest. I can manage here.”
“I am quite well, my lord.”
“You are not.” His tone was gentle but firm. “You are pale, and you have been in pain all day. Do not think I have not noticed.”
Something flickered in her eyes—surprise, perhaps, or discomfort at being so plainly seen. “My lord, I assure you—”
“I spoke with Mrs McConnor earlier.” His cheeks warmed, but he continued. “She explained that you were… indisposed. I understand it is a recurring difficulty. And I understand your wish to fulfil your duties. But surely, under the circumstances, you might permit yourself a few hours of rest.”
Her expression passed through embarrassment, irritation, and something like reluctant gratitude before settling into resignation.
“Mrs McConnor,” she said dryly, “has a generous understanding of confidentiality.”
“She was concerned for you. As am I.”
“There is nothing to concern yourself about, my lord. It is merely—” She paused, her jaw tightening as another wave of discomfort passed. “Merely a natural condition. Unpleasant, yes, but hardly dangerous.”
“I did not say it was dangerous,” Nathaniel replied softly. “I said you should rest.” He gentled his voice further. “You have worked through obvious discomfort all day. You came to comfort Rosie despite being unwell yourself. That is more than anyone could reasonably expect. Please—allow yourself to be cared for, just this once.”
She looked at him for a long moment, and he saw the conflict playing out behind her eyes. The ingrained habit of self-sufficiency warring with her body’s obvious need for rest.
“Rosie needs—” she began.
“Rosie needs to feel safe, and I am perfectly capable of providing that. I am her uncle. It is, in fact, my responsibility.” He paused, allowing a hint of wry humour to soften his tone. “I have been reliably informed that I am capable of far more than I once believed. I think sitting with a frightened child through a storm lies well within my abilities.”
Something shifted in Miss Collard’s expression—a loosening, a subtle release of tension. “And who informed you of that?”
“You did, as a matter of fact. On several occasions.”
The ghost of a smile crossed her face, quickly restrained. “I should learn to be less free with my observations.”
“On the contrary. Your observations are among your most valuable qualities.” Nathaniel adjusted Rosie in his arms, the child’s breathing beginning to even as exhaustion overtook fear. “Now—will you please go and rest? I promise I shall send for you if anything arises that I cannot manage.”
