Page 34 of The Earl She Once Saved

“I shall attend,” Rafe acquiesced.

Verity looked away.

Celestine smiled. “Excellent.”

The conversation moved on, but Rafe scarcely heard it. Celestine took her leave shortly after, and Rafe retired to the library without supper. Appetite did not favor him with its presence. Neither did sleep.

That evening all of Edgeworth settled early. Rain had threatened all afternoon but never come, leaving the sky heavy and the grounds silver beneath a thin moon.

Once in the library, he managed six pages in an hour. At last, he closed the book, but then, a movement beyond the window caught his eye.

Someone was crossing the yard.

He narrowed his gaze, and it revealed a woman, in a dark cloak, in a quick step.

Verity.

Rafe rose. He watched her disappear toward the stables. A few minutes later a groom brought out her mare. Verity mounted … alone, at night.

Rafe remained beside the window. It was none of his concern. She had made that abundantly clear. He told himself so again when she rode beneath the archway. Then she disappeared into the darkness.

Rafe stood motionless for perhaps three seconds.

“Damn it.”

He reached for his coat.

Chapter 7

The Coombes cottage showed one candle at the window.

Verity saw it before she reached the turning. It was a small, wavering square of gold in the black countryside, almost swallowed by the hedges and the low sweep of cloud. Her mare’s breath streamed white before her. Mud sucked at the hooves where the lane narrowed, and wet branches caught at Verity’s cloak as she bent low beneath them.

She had been sent for less than twenty minutes ago. It already felt too long.

Young Will Coombes was waiting outside the cottage. He came running before she had properly dismounted.

“My lady!” His face told her enough.

“How long?”

“Since after noon. Mrs. Weller says—”

His voice failed. Verity caught his arm.

“How long since the pains changed?”

He stared at her. “I—I don’t know.”

“Think.”

“Three hours, perhaps. Maybe four.”

“Has she been bleeding?”

His face went white. “A little.”

“Will.”