and ran to the portico.
Lord Williams appeared, Alice curled in his arms. He carried her into the house while I struggled to place the blanket around her.
“I found her huddled beside the boulder,” he said quietly.
“The boulder? She’s so wet. And her skin—it’s so cold. Why was she there?”
He shook his head. “Where should I put her?”
“In her room. This way.”
Alice’s eyes fluttered open. “Margaret?”
“I’m here, Alice. You are going to be all right.” I stroked her cheek, tucking a limp curl behind her ear.
“It didn’t work,” she said, her voice hoarse and shaking.
I placed my palm against the side of her face. We needed to get her warm. “Shh. Don’t talk.”
“I told him about Edward.”
Why was she mentioning this now? “I know, Alice. It’s all right.”
She coughed, then said, “I thought he would leave, like you wanted.”
Foreboding clamped in my chest. “Alice, honey, shh. Lord Williams is going to carry you to your room. You shall soon be warm.”
“He is going to take you away.” Her eyes shimmered and tears mingled with rain slid down her cheeks.
Alice had told Lord Williams about Edward in an attempt to get him to leave—because this morning I had said that was exactly what I wanted. She was wet and shivering and would likely come down with another cold because of me.
“I will never leave you.” I pressed a kiss to her forehead. She slowly closed her eyes again.
Guilt gnawed at me. Alice had waited to ensure her plan had worked rather than return to the house. And instead of seeing Lord Williams pull away, she’d seen him draw nearer. She’d seen him almost kiss me. What must she have thought?
“Her room is this way.”
He followed me up the stairs to my sister’s room. Mary was stoking the fire into a blaze. “Mary, Lord Williams has found Alice. Please inform my mother of her return.” She nodded and raced out the door.
I glanced around. An empty tub was set near the fire, but it would take several minutes to fill it. And Alice would have to be undressed. “On the bed would be best.”
Lord Williams laid her on the bed much more tenderly than Daniel would have and stepped back but didn’t leave. I worked to dry her hair and neck, ignoring his presence.
My mother ran into the room, followed closely by Mary.
“Oh, my darling girl.” My mother fell to her knees next to the bedside and clasped Alice’s hands, bringing them to her cheeks and then kissing them.
Alice opened her eyes. “Mama?”
“You’re safe. Oh, thank heavens you are safe. Mary, help me get her things off.” I reached for her dress, but my mother stopped me. “No, Margaret. Mary and I will attend to her.”
I stepped back in understanding. My mother blamed this on me. Alice would never have been outside but for me. And though my mother didn’t yet know it, Alice had stayed in the rain only because I’d made a scene this morning, so her blame was just.
My mother glanced at Lord Williams. “My lord, I can never thank you enough for rescuing my daughter. Margaret, see to Lord Williams. He will need something to eat and a chair by the fire.”
“Yes, Mother.” I turned and, without glancing at Lord Williams, walked into the hall, stopping at the top of the stairs near his door. “I am sure you wish to change. There will be a warm meal for you whenever you are ready.”
“Thank you.” He disappeared inside his room.
He had rescued Alice. He had saved her. I was in his debt, and the only repayment he seemed to desire was my consent to the marriage.
Twenty-One
“Father, Lord Williams found Alice. She is home,” I said, peeking into the study.
My father placed his hand over his heart and sighed. “Thank you.”
“I am getting something for him from the kitchen. Will you be eating as well?”
He shook his head. “Perhaps later. I want to see my daughter.”
I stepped out of the way as he passed. He stopped and turned. “Margaret, Lord Williams is a good man.”
Yes. And that was the problem.
I was in the dining room, using a poker to stir the fire, when Lord Williams entered. Did he know how his coat brought out the blue of his eyes, even from across the room? I quickly straightened and rang for a servant. “Your meal will be here in a moment.” The table was already set; it lacked only food.
“Thank you.”
He stood awkwardly, as though hesitant to be near me but