“That look would scare rodents,” Maggie said, holding out a drying cloth. “What has you out of sorts this morning?”
“Nothing, I’m just weary, and I loathe the rain, as you know. How is Lord Stafford this morning?”
“No one has gone to him yet, because his lordship needs sleep to heal. Perhaps you could check on him after you’re dressed, my lady, and call me to come and look over his injuries?”
She nodded, but said nothing further. Jamie’s skin would be warm when he woke, she was sure of it. Last night it had felt—
No, don’t go there, Alice. You wanted a single experience with a man, and you got it. Now focus on being who you’ve always been.She could do that, had been doing that for years. Hide what was really going on inside her head behind a cool, emotionless façade.
She dressed in soft lilac, one of her favorite colors. A light-gray shawl rested over her shoulders, and after Maggie had threaded a lilac ribbon through her simple bun, Alice finally felt ready to face Jamie.
As she walked down the hall, she focused on her breathing, slow and steady. At his door, she paused and tapped softly before pushing it open.
The bed was empty.
Her gaze swept the room, searching, hoping, but he was gone. Sometime during the few hours she’d slept, he had left.
Alice sank onto the edge of the bed, the truth hitting harder than she expected. She hadn’t realized how much she’d wanted to see him this morning until now. Foolish woman. Because in that instant, she understood that she’d never felt like this before.
“Dear God,” Alice whispered, voice trembling. “Is it possible that what I’m feeling is love?”
With a shaky sigh, she let herself fall back onto the bed and stared up at the ceiling.Surely not.
She spent a few minutes composing herself before leaving the room. Alice then made her way downstairs to the front door. Opening it, she looked up and down the street as sheets of rain fell. If Jamie had walked, he would be soaked in minutes. Surely he must have taken a hackney considering the condition he was in.
When had he left?
Alice was about to shut the door when she saw someone running down the street toward the townhouse. As they drew closer, she noted it was Bobby.Did that boy never sleep?
When he noticed her, his pace increased, and seconds later he was beside her on the doorstep, dripping wet. A single look at his face told her something was very wrong.
“What has happened, Bobby?”
“Lord St-Stafford,” he wheezed. “I saw him leave and followed. Th-they got him before I could reach them.”
Icy cold fear slithered its tendrils through Alice.
“Who got him, Bobby?”
“Men. They snuck up behind him and placed a cloth over his mouth. He fought, and then stopped, and they threw him into a carriage. I recognized one of them. He was the same man who helped hurt Lord Stafford last night.”
“No!”
“Yes. I tried to follow, but they were moving too quick,” Bobby said, his face pale. “I ran down lanes, but they were always out of my reach, and then they were gone.”
“What’s amiss?” Ezra said the words from behind Alice. “Why are you wet, boy?”
“I ran in the rain,” Bobby said.
“Well, get to the kitchens and dry yourself. I’m sure there will be something warm for your belly too.”
“Ain’t no time,” Bobby said, not moving. But he was shivering now from the cold.
“Do you need my assistance, my lady?” Phipps asked, appearing next.
Numbing fear was crippling her.Not Jamie. Please don’t hurt him anymore.
“Lady Alice, what is wrong!” The boom of her footman’s voice snapped her out of it.
