Andrews Brothers 02 - The Rescue (16 page)

Drawing back, she wedged her feet against the ground and screamed.

****

The Rochdale countryside was serene. Sheep bleated along the craggy landscape. Shepherds waved and dogs barked. People came out and tipped their hats in greeting. The warm welcome contrasted sharply with what Chadwick would have received in Stockport. No doubt when he returned he would be welcomed with a basket full of rotten fruit upside his head.

He sighed, flicked the reins, kicked the horse’s flank, and increased his pace. Once through the town he could relax and ponder his next move. Chadwick had only two options. Stay at Ravenwood and pretend to be Andrew Ravenlowe or return home to Stockport and resume his place as half-brother to Luke Andrews, Baron of Stockport. The second idea held little to no appeal.

He slowed the horse. On either side of the road tall pines towered and casted shadows over the vacant road. The afternoon sun descended behind the trees, and Chadwick worried he’d overextended his outing past a prudent time.

He nudged the horse when a feminine scream rent the air. He halted and listened. The shrill sound echoed. Where was it coming from?

Rising in the stirrups, he squinted. On the horizon appeared two horses and two people. Chadwick opted to increase his pace. He reached the couple, and tugged on the reins until his horse stopped. Farrah was being manhandled by a behemoth covered in hair. She pulled against him, beating his forearm, and yelling to be released. The highwayman’s response was muffled either by distance or his facial hair.

Chadwick’s heart raced and his palms sweated. Anger boiled to the surface. How dare the stranger try to accost Lady Farrah?

As of yet his presence had gone unnoticed. He moved his horse to the edge of the road, leaned forward, and whispered in the horse’s ear, “Get ready.”

The horse neighed softly.

Chadwick waited until just the right moment when the highwayman released Farrah to climb astride his mount, and then Chadwick kicked the horse’s flank. They shot off like a gun and came alongside Farrah. He bent, wrapped his arm around her waist, and lifted her in front of him. Beastly animal sounds erupted from the giant as he released his foot from the stirrup and lumbered after them.

Chadwick didn’t look back as they galloped along the road and he found a hiding place amongst the tree line. His heart hammered against his ribs as he leaned over Farrah’s shoulder and waited. The highwayman followed their route and passed by never noticing them. When Chadwick thought it was safe, he left the trees and guided his horse back to the spot where he’d rescued Farrah. Her horse stood in the road as if lost. He clicked his tongue and the animal lifted its head. He dismounted and attached the horse to his. Farrah didn’t move.

Remounted behind Farrah, Chadwick gently nudged his horse and they set out. The road appeared free and Chadwick hoped the highwayman had run away in fear of reprisal.

Miles passed. Muscles relaxing, he finally took notice of his passenger. One sleeve of her gown had been completely severed. Red welts dotted her exposed forearm. The once elegant and tidy coiffure had come loose and her hair hung in disarray around her handsome face.

Words escaped him, and he struggled to breathe. He couldn’t discern if his strongest emotion was to murder the stranger or to caress her cheek and place his lips against hers.

She shot a glance over her shoulder, her eyes wide with innocence, she asked, “Why do you study me so?”

“I’m absorbing your ravishing beauty.”

She gasped for breath, and a smile tugged at his lips.

She slapped his forearm. “Do not make fun of me. I’ve been through a tremendous ordeal.”

He whispered, “Who said I was poking fun?”

She swallowed. “I’ve never been so scared in my life. It is a good thing you happened by or I might not have survived.” She lifted her trembling chin. “How did you happen by?”

Should he tell her he was out for a ride contemplating whether he should leave Ravenwood—and thereby her—forever? Or should he lie? “The afternoon begged me to enjoy it, so I did.”

“Oh.” Her expression fell as if she expected more.

“And you? What were you doing out on such an evening and without escort?”

She jutted out her chin. “If you must know I’m headed to the coast. My life is in shambles and there is no hope for me. I don’t care if my father hates me, but I’m going to find Angus on the shore. He will know what do to.”

He knew he shouldn’t ask. Asking would be bad. “Who is Angus?”

“Oh, Angus.” She smoothed a wayward strand of hair from her face. Her green eyes twinkled in the wavering light, and her lips twitched upward. “He is the man I love.”

His heart plummeted. He’d been right. He should never have asked.

The instant the words left her lips, Farrah regretted them. The downcast look on Andrew’s face broke her heart. While his romantic feelings had never been verbally expressed, she’d known they were there, lingering beneath the surface. She’d enjoyed the feelings he had for her. They were going to save her. But now… Well now, she was worried it wouldn’t be enough. The only one she knew she could depend on was Angus. He’d always been there for her. Since they’d been wee children and got caught swinging on the rafters in the barn, Angus had defended her honor. That was until this last time when he’d left her to face her father alone. But he was trying to prove himself so they could be married.

Oh, the whole thing was a terrible mess. If only he’d never left, or just taken her with him. Now her emotions were jumbled and she didn’t know what to think.

“So Angus is the man you love.”

The hurt tone squeezed her heart, but she needed to be honest with him. There was no sense in letting the Lord of Ravenwood get his hopes up only to have them dashed just as quickly. “Yes.”

“And you’re going to the shore so he can rescue you?”

“Not exactly.”

“Then what?” he asked, scratching his chin.

The slow rhythmic movement of the horse made her drowsy. The warm feel of his arms about her waist increased the sensation. Maybe now wasn’t the best time to be honest. If she sat by the fire and warmed her freezing hands, then she might be able to concentrate and string two sentences together.

“Well, are you going to answer?”

His gentle tone turned angry and she cringed. Distracted by the familiar landscape, she asked, “Where are we going?”

“I can see you’ve deftly changed the subject. Very well, I will go along. I’m taking you to Ravenwood.”

She shook her head until her ears rang. “No, you can’t!”

“But—”

“Please, Andrew. You must take me elsewhere.”

He drew his brows together and gazed downward. His dark eyes seemed to smolder and she knew she should look away, but couldn’t.

“Then where shall I take you?” he whispered.

She chewed on her lip and studied the darkening countryside. The sun had dipped behind the mountains, and only a tiny sliver of moonlight lit their way. Would they be safe in town? Probably not.

“I see you have no idea where we should go. But since you are trying to hide from Devlin, and presumably your father, I suggest you allow me to decide.”

Anger welled within her. Why did everyone get to decide what happened to her but her? Why must she follow the dictates of others desires ahead of her own?

“I see I’ve angered you.”

“Yes, you have.” She crossed her arms over her chest and his muscles strained against her back. Quickly, she shifted her balance so she wouldn’t fall.

“No one in Rochdale is going to harbor you. If you go there Garrett will have you found out by morning.”

“And what of Ravenwood? Do you not believe I will be found there as well? It is known I visited your mother recently. Ravenwood will be checked before any other.”

“Is there no one else from whom you can ask assistance?”

She tapped one finger to her chin and clasped his forearm with the other. The heat from his body distracted her. If she was on the ground, surely she could think of an answer. Perhaps she should ask him to stop.

“I see you have nowhere in mind. Therefore you will have to agree to my suggestion. We shall travel to Ravenwood until we are able to discover a more suitable solution.” She opened her mouth to reply, but he interrupted, “And traveling to the coast, alone, is not a suitable option.”

She bristled but acquiesced.

****

Chadwick relaxed when Farrah agreed with his decision to escort her to Ravenwood. He’d only been in the Rochdale area for a month. No one there would offer him a hiding spot. Not to mention everyone in town had to know he wasn’t really Rowena’s son. How she had convinced all the inhabitants to go along with her farce was beyond him. It had to be either one of two things, fear or respect. He hoped for the later.

Farrah slumped against his chest, her eyes closed. She snored softly, and he fought the urge to stroke her hair lest he lose his grip and they plunge to the ground.

They rounded a bend in the road, and the lights from Ravenwood lit the entire area, a sigh of relief escaped him. No matter whether he was the fake son of Rowena or not, returning to Ravenwood felt like returning home. Now if he could just find a way for his past to disappear, then this farcical twist of events could continue.

Servants milled about the grounds. Escaping notice while he escorted Farrah inside would be impossible without eliciting help. The only people whom he trusted as of yet were Kingsley and Juliet.

At the edge of the yard, he stopped, dismounted, and helped Farrah. A flush of heat rushed up his neck and settled across his cheeks as she settled against his chest and sighed.
Don’t think about
it;
don’t think about her, just move away from the horse and get inside
.

Away from the beast, he whistled. The horse twirled in a circle and trotted slowly toward his last location. Soon the animal was noticed by stable hands. While they worked and wondered loudly about how the horse had come home alone, Chadwick snuck to the front door and entered.

Kingsley skittered into the front hall and stood erect. When he noted Chadwick, he relaxed. “My lord.” His eyes attached to Chadwick’s parcel and his tone grew alarmed. “My lord!”

“Yes, Kingsley, I know. Now please hurry upstairs and prepare a room. Make it far from all the others.”

Kingsley ascended the wide staircase. Chadwick followed and called out quietly, “This must be kept a secret.”

Chadwick carried Farrah up the steps. Although slight in stature, Farrah was heavy and by the time they reached the upstairs hallway, he was huffing and gasping for air.

Kingsley disappeared through a door and Chadwick hurried to follow, his burden slowing him considerably.

The door led to another set of stairs. Chadwick almost groaned aloud. How was he to carry Farrah up the narrow flight? He sucked his lip between his teeth at the feel of a silken finger across his lips.

“You need not carry me. I can walk.”

Gratefully, Chadwick lowered Farrah to her feet. He held her arms until she stopped wobbling and followed behind her as she ascended. The entire way they didn’t speak. The fear of echoing in the stairwell and announcing their arrival kept him silent.

They reached the landing, and Chadwick paused. The room was long and narrow and cluttered with junk. Kingsley materialized from around a trunk and motioned them forward.

“There is a bed here in the corner.”

They followed and Chadwick was surprised to see a makeshift suite. A cot complete with quilt, a velvet sofa, and a table were all arranged and facing a brick fireplace. A wardrobe revealed a row of last year’s fashions.

“Feel free to use anything you need. Only be sure to whisper. Sound echoes from this room throughout the house. Your ladyship has often allowed those in hardship to stay here unbeknownst to the other staff, and when they hear the voices they presume Ravenwood is haunted. Sometimes this is a good thing.” A secretive smile flittered briefly over his face before he continued. “Sometimes it is not.”

Farrah clasped Kingsley’s hand. “Thank you. I shall not forget this.”

Kingsley nodded. “My lord, I shall await you downstairs. We must lock the door lest someone stumble onto the stairwell.”

Chadwick nodded and watched the retreating butler until he vanished behind a stack of clutter. He faced Farrah, a look of concern flinted across her features.

“I don’t think this was such a good idea.”

“You heard what Kingsley said. If you’re heard the staff will think the ghost has returned. There is nothing to worry about.”

“And where will I go from here? Surely you do not expect me to spend my days locked away in an attic storey with musty clothes and old furniture?”

He took her hands in his and massaged them. “No. I expect you to stay here just long enough for us to figure out a solution to your plight.”

She swallowed. “Why are you helping me?”

He moved a hair behind her ear and cupped her cheek. A smile twitched at his lips. “Because even though you love Angus, I love you.”

Air whistled as she drew in a sharp breath. Quickly he bent and planted a chaste kiss on her cheek. His heart thumped madly against his chest as he moved away and clasped his trembling hands behind his back.

“I’ll make sure you receive dinner. Now I must find my mother. I believe tomorrow a trip to Flannigan House will be in order.”

Noises echoed from outside as Roland directed Manny and the other footmen to cart trunk after trunk to the waiting coach. “Take heed on how you stow the luggage. Lady Andrews must be able to reach her gowns. Oh, don’t put that there!” Roland skittered from the stoop and stumbled before righting himself.

Brigitta laughed at the spectacle, patted her rounded stomach, and turned from the window.

The library decorated with dark woods and colors held a masculine air. However, recently, she had added her own feminine touches by removing the sofa’s puce covering and replacing it with one in cerulean blue. New primrose drapes sheltered the window panes. The fireplace had even been updated and sported a fancy cast iron hob gate.