Page 82 of An Unfamiliar Duke

Dawson bowed and disappeared. Sebastian stayed standing at the open door. Rosalind ventured out of the kitchen but remained behind him, listening. She heard men’s voices, the words indistinguishable but the tones urgent. The dog barked. Mr. Beckett whistled, and then came the familiar thud of hooves.

“Is he gone?” she asked.

Sebastian turned to face her. “Yes.”

“May we go home?”

He took her arm and pushed up his jacket sleeve until her hand appeared. He wrapped his fingers around hers. “Right away,” he said.

Upstairs, a newborn baby cried. The sound of the back door opening and closing reached them. Moments later, Mr. Beckett appeared in the hall, pocketing the door key. “You have my thanks, David,” Sebastian said.

The shepherd rubbed his hand across his weary face. “A nasty piece of work, that, Yer Grace. Glad to be of help.” He inclined his head toward Rosalind. “Hopin’ you made it through the ordeal all right, Yer Grace.”

“I did, thanks largely to you and your remarkable dog.”

“Aye. It’s been a while since he’s had any practice goin’ against a predator.” He gave a satisfied smile. “Looks like he hasn’t forgotten how.”

“Not at all,” Sebastian said. “In fact, I believe Mott deserves a bone from the Finley Park kitchen.”

Mr. Beckett’s smile widened. “I reckon he’d like that very much.”

“Consider it done.” He led Rosalind outside. “Good night to you, David—such as there is remaining.”

“And to you, Your Grace.”

Chapter 32

It was still dark when Sebastian and Rosalind rode into the Finley Park courtyard. The lack of lanterns at the door or candles at the window suggested that the household staff remained unaware of all that had occurred over the last few hours.

“I will need to take Tempest to the stables,” Sebastian said. “But I can help you dismount at the house first.”

Rosalind raised her head from its position against his chest. He could not make out the expression or muddy smudges on her face, but he knew that she was looking at him. “Let me come with you.” He detected the tremor in her voice. “I would rather not enter the house alone.”

“Very well, we shall go together.” He tightened his hold on her and guided his mount toward the stables.

They traveled the remaining short distance in silence. When Sebastian reined Tempest to a halt outside the stables, he dismounted and pounded on the door. Wesley must have been watching for them, because Sebastian did not have to wait long before the latch lifted and the boy’s face appeared in the narrow strip of light coming from within. He recognized Sebastian immediately and pulled the door open wide. Sebastian took Tempest’s reins and led his horse inside.

As soon as they were within the shelter of the stable, Sebastian released the leather straps and reached for Rosalind. She placed her hands on his shoulders, and he lifted her down. She took a shaky step.

He placed a steadying arm around her. “Can you manage?”

She nodded. Taking a deep breath, she straightened her narrow shoulders in his oversized coat and offered him a small smile. “I will be well.”

Wesley hovered nearby, watching with wide eyes. He was obviously awaiting instructions.

Sebastian dragged his attention from Rosalind to his horse. “Give him a good rubdown, Wesley. He had a hard run through the mud.”

Wesley nodded. “I’ll take good care of ’im, Yer Grace.”

“Dawson will return later this morning. I trust that you and the other hands know what to do in his absence.”

“Yes, Yer Grace.”

“Good lad. I’ll leave you to it.”

Wesley reached for the reins. He started leading Tempest away, but then he stopped and turned to Rosalind. “If you don’ mind me sayin’ so, Yer Grace, I’m right glad yer back safely.”

A flicker of surprise flashed through Rosalind’s eyes. She did not know that Wesley had been privy to Sebastian’s conversation with Dawson.