Page 23 of Almost a Countess

The door behind her openedagain.

“What is it,Hanson?”

“I beg yer pardon forbeing late tae dinner, Miss Harper, but I was unfortunatelydetained.”

Chapter 10

Relief so strong it almost made herknees buckle swept through Dora. He was alive. Not injured, notrecaptured, not fled to his uncle in London. Here. Unaware of whatshe was doing, she ran to the dripping Lord Aberfoyle, stoppingshort just before she flung her arms around him. “Thank God aboveyou made it back here, my lord.”

His hair lay plastered to his head;his jacket, shirt, and breeches clung tightly to his frame,revealing every muscle from top to bottom. A sight she would notsoon forget.

Her heart pounded with the wild beatof the storm surrounding them. “What happened to you?”

“’Tis actually quite astory, Miss Harper.” He peeled the jacket away from his chest, anda rivulet of water streamed onto the floor. “Perhaps I can repairmy appearance, and ye can listen tae the tale over a hotdinner?”

“Of course, my lord. Youmust be freezing.” She strode into the foyer. “Hanson!”

The butler appeared, looking more thana little startled at the sight of Lord Aberfoyle. “I beg yourpardon, my lord. I didn’t hear you at the door.”

“I dinna knock, Hanson. Ijust came in tae get out o’ the wet.” He looked down at histhoroughly soaked body. “Although I seem tae have brought a gooddeal o’ it in with me. My apologies. I hope ye dinna hold itagainst me.”

“Not at all, mylord.”

“Hanson, call James,please.” Dora turned back to Lord Aberfoyle, her indignation risingnow the crisis was over. “Why did you disobey my orders thismorning?”

For once, the Scotsman lookeddiscomfited. “I beg yer pardon, Miss Harper, for that bit o’mutiny, but I couldna cool my heels the whole morning when what Ineeded was tae see if I was able tae ride. The sooner I couldascertain that, the sooner I could be on my way and out from underyer feet.” Lord Aberfoyle ducked his head. “Ye must believe I dinnawish tae disrespect ye.” His head came up and he looked at her withcontrition in his blue eyes. “Truly.”

Though it had been on the tip of hertongue to berate him for his ungentlemanly behavior, Dora couldsummon no words to that effect. His contrition was completelysincere. And since he’d returned the horse, he obviously had nointention of stealing it. Apparently, she’d misjudgedhim.

“Very well, then, my lord.I will accept your apology.” Somehow that seemed inadequate butwould have to do. Gathering her dignity, she pulled herself up toher full height. “James can serve as your valet while you are here.He won’t be trained as such, but he will be a great help with yourclothing. Especially the wet ones.” She looked expectantly at theearl. “Will you change and come down for dinner or do you prefer atray in your room in light of all the excitement?”

“I think the former, ifye’ll wait for me.” He bowed. “A stirring tale needs tae be toldwhile ’tis fresh in the mind.” Shooting her a quick grin, he leftfor his room, wet footprints trailing behind each squishing stepdown the corridor.

“Send James to hischamber, Hanson. Assist him if need be. Be sure there is sufficienttoweling.” Dora hoped the cold rain wouldn’t result in the earlcatching an ague. “And inform Cook that we’ll need supper hot andtasty in about half an hour.”

“Yes, miss.” Hanson leftat a trot while Dora sat on the sofa, her strength at anend.

What had happened to Lord Aberfoyle? Abetter question might be why she was so concerned for the man.She’d been on the brink of heading out into a bad storm in searchof him, a foolish action that might have led to her own harm. Whatwas this spell the man had cast on her?

Shrugging off the obvious answer, andgathering her strength, Dora rose and headed into the dining room,the table there set for the two of them. She settled in the chairat the head of the table, as was her custom, and waited for James.Of course, James wouldn’t wait at table until he’d finished withLord Aberfoyle.

She rang for Hanson.

“Miss Harper?”

“Please bring me thewine.”

“Very good, miss.” Thebutler looked as though he approved of her command. He gave a quicknod, disappeared into the kitchen, and returned with a bottle ofred wine. He poured, and Dora thankfully took a sip. “As James isnow doing double duty as valet, can you please assist him at table,Hanson?”

“Of course.” He bowed andremoved the wine decanter to the sideboard.

“Good evening, MissHarper.”

Dora’s head came up so quickly herneck creaked.

Lord Aberfoyle stood in the doorway,dressed impeccably for dinner in more of Simon’s clothes, a suit ofblue worsted wool with a cream waistcoat that fit him better thanDora would have expected. His rich auburn hair had been dried andcombed, making him look more than a little civilized.

He bowed and came forward, taking hisseat at the opposite end from hers. “The storm seems tae have wornitself out.”