Page 84 of Honor Requires

Elizabeth turned and retraced her steps toward Matlock House.

She moved quickly through the house upon her return, ascending at once to the nursery. The ball lay where it had been left, bright and inviting, and she retrieved it with a small smile.

“They will be pleased,” she murmured.

She had just begun her descent when she heard it.

A commotion from downstairs, voices raised, urgent.

Jane. Elizabeth’s pace quickened at once.

She reached the lower hall to find Jane in a state she had seldom witnessed—her composure entirely undone. She held her son tightly against her, her arms wrapped about him as though she feared he might vanish.

“This is why—this is why we do not run into the road!” Jane was saying, her voice breaking. “You must not—do you understand? You must not!”

The child clung to her, wide-eyed and shaken.

Elizabeth crossed the space in an instant. “Jane—what has happened?”

Jane looked up, her expression pale, her eyes bright with tears. “He—he broke away—he tried to follow you—”

Drew. Elizabeth’s heart dropped.

“He ran into the street,” Jane said, her voice trembling. “There was a carriage—Lizzy, it was so close—”

Elizabeth’s breath caught. “But—he is unharmed?”

“Yes.” Jane clutched the child closer. “Yes—because—”

Her voice failed her.

Elizabeth knelt, her gaze moving over the boy. “Drew,” she said gently. “You frightened us all very much.”

“I wanted to go with you,” he said, his voice small.

Elizabeth reached for his hand. “You must not run away from Nurse. Not ever.”

He nodded, subdued.

Jane drew a breath, attempting to steady herself. “The count—”

Elizabeth stilled.

“The Count of Vendicarsi.” Jane swallowed. “He saw what was happening. He was passing, and he pulled Drew out of the way—”

Elizabeth felt something shift within her.

“He saved him,” Jane said simply.

Silence followed.

Jane pressed a kiss on her son’s hair, her composure slowly returning. “I have invited him—and his brother—to tea this afternoon, instead of next week,” she added, her voice still shaking from her fright. “It is the least we can do.”

Elizabeth rose slowly. “Yes,” she said. “Of course.”

Jane looked at Drew once more, then at Elizabeth. “Take the boys back to the nursery,” she said to the nurse who was standing near, her tone regaining some measure of firmness. “They are not to leave it again until I say so.”

“Yes, Mama,” the child murmured.