Page 28 of To Hunt the Hunter

To Matilda’s surprise, the cook’s face softened at once, approval warming her eyes.

“Aye, thought I had you pegged right. Well, you need not worry that anyone will find out about it. We know how to keep secrets at Dern, Miss Hunt.”

Matilda gave a rueful smile, touched by the woman’s support. “I suspect Mr Burton will take care of that.”

“Oh, I wouldn’t bank on it, miss. The staff here are loyal and they’re none too pleased at tonight’s piece of work. I reckon if Mr Burton wants to see that doctor his lordship sent for, he’ll have to agree to keep his damn mouth shut.”

Matilda stared in astonishment, and Mrs Appleton laughed.

“Oh, we know his lordship’s reputation, and it’s not all talk. A right devil he can be when he puts his mind to it, but there’s a good heart in there, which is a miraculous thing after all he’s endured. He treats all the staff fairly, the pay’s good and most of them enjoy his reputation. Adds a touch of swagger to their own lives, I reckon. Anyway, he’s our devil and this attack in his own home… well, they’re ready to lynch someone, I can tell you.”

“They wouldn’t….” Matilda began, alarmed even though she cared little what befell Mr Burton now.

“No,” Mrs Appleton said grimly. “But only because he forbade it. The fiend is to be taken to the nearest inn, and a doctor provided at his lordship’s expense. Honour must be served, Miss Hunt.”

Her dry tone and the look in the woman’s eyes told Matilda that her thoughts on the male code of honour were many and varied, but she said nothing more.

“Pippin.”

They both looked around as Lucian called out wearily.

“Phoebe needs to go to bed now,” he said, though Phoebe’s arms tightened around his neck at his words. “Send for Miss Peabody.”

Matilda watched as the woman hurried to the door and stuck her head outside to talk in a hushed voice to Denton, who must have been standing sentry.

“I don’t want to go.”

Phoebe’s muffled voice emerged from Lucian’s neck and he stroked her hair. His face was white and taut with pain, and Matilda realised it must be costing him dearly to keep up a brave face in front of the child.

“I know, sweetheart, but we both need some rest now.”

The child let out a sob.

“Don’t die,” she pleaded. “Please, please… don’t die. Don’t leave me by myself. Promise me.”

Lucian closed his eyes and held the girl to him, his grip on her tightening. “I promise to do my very best to grow to be a very old man. It will take me that long to make you into a well-behaved lady, after all.”

Phoebe sobbed harder and Matilda’s heart ached, a lump in her throat so large she could barely swallow. Lucian looked up at her, his breathing shallow now, a fine sheen of perspiration across his forehead. Forcing herself to remain calm, she moved to the bed and put her hands on Phoebe’s shoulders.

“Come along now, darling,” she said gently. “Your uncle needs his rest if he’s to get well, and you must be worn out too. Everyone needs a good night’s sleep to get over all the upset. I promise you I shall take very good care of him while you’re sleeping.”

Phoebe turned her head, staring up at Matilda, her blonde eyelashes spangled with tears. “You’ll stay and look after him? Until he’s well again?”

“Matilda,” Lucian began, his voice faint but full of protest. “You know you can’t—”

“Yes,” Matilda said firmly. “I will stay until he’s well again. I promise.”

Phoebe let out a ragged breath.

“Well, if you will be with him as well as Pippin,” she said, still reluctant, “I suppose I could go to sleep for a little while. I know you’ll not let anything bad happen to him.”

Matilda smiled, too choked to reply as Phoebe kissed her uncle’s cheek. “Good night. Get better quickly, please.”

“Good night, sweetheart.”

Matilda helped Phoebe off the bed and took her to the door to discover Miss Peabody waiting for her. Matilda hugged Phoebe, promised again that she would look after her uncle, and watched the child follow her governess back down the hall.

Upon returning to the room, she discovered Mrs Appleton scowling down at Lucian.