They were well on the road to London when the heavens let loose their fury. Though she avoided looking out the window, the guilt gnawed at her.
Serena’s expression remained suspiciously impassive.
“Blast it.” She pounded on the ceiling and Barrett drew the carriage to a stop.
A second later, there was a knock on the window, and a looming figure darkened the interior.
With reluctant fingers, Rebecca lowered the glass.
“What’s wrong?” Ryleigh yelled over the deluge.
“You should ride inside, Your Grace. You’ll catch your death.”
He shot her a wolfish grin that played havoc with her insides. “Is that all? You’re worried for my health? How utterly thoughtful and caring of you.”
“Yes, it is,” she snapped, thoroughly put out with him.
He shook his head with a roar of laughter and cantered away, leaving the elements to plaster her hair against her forehead before shoving the glass back into place as the carriage jerked into motion.
She glanced over at Serena. “I made the offer. That’s all I can do.”
The rain pounded harder, making it impossible to talk; the clouds grew darker, making it impossible to read. The road was so treacherous, she and Serena were forced into grasping the straps to keep their balance.
“I don’t feel so well, milady.”
“Oh, dear.” Again, Rebecca pounded the roof. Before the carriage came to a full stop, she threw open the door and jumped out, then helped Serena down, where the poor girl lost her breakfast all over Rebecca’s skirts. There was nothing for it. Rebecca took Serena by the shoulders and guided her to a ditch, where she proceeded to wretch her guts out. At some point, Rebecca realized the rain was falling around them rather than on them. She looked up and saw Ryleigh sporting an umbrella over hers and Serena’s heads. With a grim smile of thanks, she continued holding Serena’s shoulders. She pushed the hair off her maid’s head and gasped at the heat singeing her palm. She looked up at Ryleigh. “She’s burning up.”
“Is there a coverlet inside?” he said loudly over the rain.
She replied in kind. “No.”
“All right. Let’s get her back inside. She can use your cloak.”
Rebecca took the umbrella from him and stepped aside, allowing Ryleigh to lift Serena. Due to his height, he had to duck for Rebecca to keep the water off the two of them. His hat banged against the top of the carriage entry, and Rebecca barely caught it with her free hand before it landed in the mud. He set Serena on the bench and stood back to assist Rebecca into the carriage.
“The Hanging Moss is just ahead. We’ll stop there for the night. Your maid is obviously unable to travel at this time.”
Nodding, she handed him his hat and the umbrella. She shrugged out of her cloak and wrapped Serena in its silky warmth as the carriage started back down the road.
“I’m so sorry, milady,” Serena whispered. Her body shivered violently.
“Don’t be silly, my dear.” Rebecca touched the back of her hand to Serena’s head. “You hardly planned such a thing.”
“But your dress—I’m so… so embarrassed.”
“Don’t fret. There’s more where that one came from, as you well know.” With a silent prayer for Gabby, Rebecca tucked her cloak more snugly around her maid.
Thirteen
“How nice to see you, Your Graces. And so soon. As it happens, your chamber stands at the ready for you.”
Rebecca frowned. “Chamber?”
“I’m sorry, Your Grace, we’ve only the one. With the weather, we started fillin’ up fast as the horses’ trough.”
“I’m not your—”
“Come, my dear,” Sebastian interrupted. “These are trivialities. We must see to your maid.”
