Page 22 of Almost a Countess

He laughed and nodded to the coachmanwho started the team.

Dora sat back in the plush leatherseats and relaxed for the first time since Tris had appeared. She’dgotten information she desperately needed and now could speak morefreely with Lord Aberfoyle.

Alfred had left on horseback, leadingGretchen. Hopefully, he’d inform Larkin she was on her way. Dinnerwas always at six, and she’d been unwilling to alter it. She’d havesufficient time to dress, but just barely. She hoped Lord Aberfoylewas attentive at dinner, for she had much to apprise him of,especially her suspicion that they would receive a visit fromLieutenant Scarlet tomorrow morning. Whatever else, they must beprepared for him. They would be, if the plan forming in her mindcould be implemented in time.

Shortly, the carriage pulled up beforethe Bromley manor house.

Hanson opened the door and took hergloves and hat. “Miss Larkin is waiting for you, Miss Harper.Alfred arrived ten minutes ago and told us of your change inplans.”

“Thank you, Hanson. Willyou tell Lord Aberfoyle I may be a few minutes late coming down?”She needed a good wash and wanted Larkin to do something specialwith her hair tonight.

“Lord Aberfoyle has notyet returned from his ride, Miss Harper.” Hanson lookedsomber.

“His ride?” Bloody hell.“He wasn’t supposed to ride without me accompanying him.” Angerflooded Dora from head to toe. How dare he take one of her horseswithout her permission? She should have known the cocky Scotsmanwould do exactly what he pleased without so much as a by-your-leaveor a care for her instructions. “If he isn’t back with my horsewithin the hour—”

“Miss Harper, Hannibalcame back more than an hour ago.”

The blood drained from her face in arush that made her head swim. Breathing deeply helped, and inmoments her head cleared. “Has anything been done to recover him?He must have fallen off. His ankle must not have been strongenough.” She must pull her thoughts together. “Have all the menmount up and scour the estate.”

“That’s been attended to,Miss Harper.” The butler had a good head on his shoulders. “WhenHannibal appeared, I sent James out on him to try to locate hislordship. Then Alfred came back just now, and I sent him off aswell. Neither has returned yet.”

“Very good, Hanson.” Atleast something was being done. “There’s still light left. PerhapsI should take Gretchen out and join the search. I should think hewouldn’t be hard to find with three of us looking.”

“Begging your pardon, MissHarper, but the light won’t last long.” Hanson pointed at the darkclouds gathering above them. “There’s a storm about to break. You’dget caught out in it for certain.” The older man’s face was linedwith concern. “It would be best for you to remain here and be readywith whatever Lord Aberfoyle will require when he doesarrive.”

The Lord knew her butler made sense.The wind had risen tremendously and was tugging at her skirts thisminute. It could pour down any second. Drat Lord Aberfoyle formaking her feel responsible for him. And something more thanresponsible.

“I appreciate your advice,Hanson, but if he’s been injured again, this storm could finishhim. Please have—”

If both James and Alfred were out,there was no one to saddle Gretchen for her. She cursed her fatherall over again for not providing her with more than a skeletonstaff. “I don’t suppose you know how to saddle a horse,Hanson?”

“I’m sorry, miss, but I’vebeen afraid of the beasts all my life.” Hanson shook his head. “Inever even learned to ride.”

“Very well.” Defeated atlast, Dora marched inside. Fleeing up the stairs, she hurried toher room where Larkin awaited her with warm water forwashing.

“I must dress quickly,Larkin. Lord Aberfoyle has not yet returned, and I fear the worst.I must go down directly and see everything prepared in the eventJames or Alfred find him and he’s been injured again.”

“Very good, Miss Harper.”Larkin expertly stripped her then hurried into the dressing room.“Would you prefer the dark green muslin or the bluelutestring?”

“The dark green, please.”It would show less dirt if she were called upon to nurse LordAberfoyle.

Dora washed quickly and dried herself,glancing constantly out the window at the swaying trees. The stormthreatened to break at any moment. She prayed James and Alfredwould make it back before the deluge, bringing Lord Aberfoyle withthem. She wasn’t sure which she feared more: that his lordship hadbeen badly hurt or recaptured by Lieutenant Scarlet.

As soon as Larkin had fastened herhair in a simple knot on top of her head, Dora sped downstairs.Once there, she paced from one room to the other, unable to sitstill.

Hanson lit the lamps and at lastapproached her. “Miss Harper, Cook has informed me that dinner isready. Shall I serve now, or will you wait for news?”

A clap of thunder made Dora flinch.She had no appetite, would likely have none until she was assuredof her staff’s and his lordship’s safety. “Ask Cook to keep it warmplease, Hanson.”

A soft patter of raindrops against thewindowpane swelled into a downpour that sheeted against the glass.Dora hurried to the front receiving room to peer out into thedarkness. The drops struck the ground with such force the sounddrowned out everything else. There was only Dora and the storm.Wind lashed the house with such fury Dora jumped back.

“Miss Harper?” Hanson hadto raise his voice to be heard over the din. “James and Alfred havereturned.”

She whirled to face him, but theinstant she saw his face, she knew what he would say.

“They couldn’t find anysign of him. James rode as far as Mr. Hawkins’s farm.” The butler’svisage was grave.

“Thank you, Hanson.” Dorareturned to the window, her hope for Lord Aberfoyle’s safetydwindling. All she could pray for now was that he’d managed to findsome place out of the storm and would return tomorrow morning. Ifhe did not, she’d ride out with the men in search of him oncemore.