Another drop of rain landed on his cheek. Inwardly, he growled. They needed to hurry before they became drenched from the storm. He didn’t care about himself, but he couldn’t have Priscilla sick from pneumonia, especially if she suffered from a sprained ankle as well.
Priscilla lifted her arms hesitantly, as though she were afraid to touch him. Not having the patience for this, he helped her wrap her arms around his neck before gently lifting her. As hestood, he whistled for his horse. Thankfully, he had trained the animal to listen for his voice and respond immediately.
Gavin realized, as he placed Priscilla on the saddle, that her hair lay in disarray around her shoulders. Even her bonnet was missing. But he couldn’t worry about that now. The bonnet wouldn’t stop her head from getting wet anyway.
She shifted on the saddle, holding on to the horn. He mounted behind her but found there wasn’t enough room. Although she wouldn’t like it, there was only one thing for him to do. He lifted her once again, and she cried out, grasping his arms.
“What are you doing?” she asked in a panicked voice.
“I’m setting you on my lap.”
“Whatever for?”
He tilted his head, gazing into her confused, yet lovely, face. “To make the ride more comfortable. We will need to ride fast in order to reach home before the rain drowns us both.”
Her jaw tightened and she nodded. He wanted to laugh at her reaction, but there wasn’t time for teasing. The sooner they returned home, the better.
Gavin circled an arm around her waist to keep her in place as he guided the horse toward the manor. Within minutes, water fell from the clouds heavier and faster than before. Priscilla turned her face toward his chest. Perhaps this wasn’t the right time to find pleasure in the moment, but he enjoyed that she wanted his protection.
He was probably only fifteen minutes from the house, but certainly, they would both be drenched. His grandmother would reprimand him for being careless when it came to his health, and the health of her companion. He was certain he would never hear the end of it from the old lady.
Making a quick decision, he turned the horse toward the woodsman’s cottage, which should be empty this early in thespring. There should be firewood, and with any luck, the place would be stocked with some necessities while he and Priscilla were sheltered from the storm.
Minutes later, he reached the cottage and quickly dismounted. This time when he reached for her, he didn’t have to encourage her to hold on to his neck. Her arms were already outstretched and waiting for his assistance.
He hastened his step as he carried her to the cottage. Thankfully, the door was unlocked, and he was able to walk inside without any hindrance. Without a word, he placed her on the sofa near the hearth, and then quickly hurried back outside to tie his horse under the lean-to on the other end of the structure.
By the time he entered the cottage again, his hair was dripping wet, as well as his coat. Thankfully, though, he wasn’t drenched all the way through.
Priscilla sat near the hearth, adding the kindling to start a fire. He smiled. She must have read his mind.
As he knelt beside her, he took the piece of wood out of her hands. “I can do this now.”
She scowled. “And so can I. Believe it not, Your Grace, I’m not an invalid.”
Her snappy attitude surprised him, but he figured it was due to the pain in her ankle. “I never thought you were.”
“And I will have you know that for years my family was without servants, and every night my sister and I traded off building a fire in the hearth in our bedroom.”
Nowthathe hadn’t known. He had heard rumors about her poor family, but Gavin had no idea that her life had been reduced so drastically.
“Forgive me, then.” He sighed and handed her the piece of wood. “If you would like to start the fire, I shall look for some blankets.”
Her face relaxed slightly, and she nodded, taking the wood and placing it in the hearth.
He stood and brushed his hands down his trousers. They were damp, but not overly so. However, if they didn’t start a fire soon, both of them would be chilled to the bone. The temperature outside had plummeted once the rain came.
It only took him about five minutes to find two blankets before he returned to the main room. He tried not to act shocked when he noticed the blazing fire in the hearth. Priscilla sat on the floor next to the fire as she struggled with removing her boot. Her pained expression let him know her ankle was still hurting.
Once again, he knelt by her side, handing her a blanket. “Would you like some help with your boot?”
Her eyes widened and her cheeks grew red. “No, I’m fine.”
He grumbled under his breath, “You arenotfine, Cilla. I can see the pain on your face. Now, I suggest allowing me to help you, or you will see how stubbornIcan be, because I will do it myself.”
Ignoring her argument, he gently lifted her foot to his lap and continued to unlace the heeled boot. She slapped his hands, but he didn’t stop. Finally, she sighed and leaned back, letting him remove it. As he slid it off her foot, she grimaced and released a slight moan.
Immediately, he could see her ankle was swollen through her damp stockings. He lifted his gaze to hers. She watched him through hooded eyes.
