The Enigmatic Governess of Buford Manor by Emma Linfield

Author:Emma Linfield
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Publisher: 0
Published: 2018-05-19T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 21

“I feel helpless,” Rose whispered, and Bridget pulled her close. “They are all combing the woods in the dark, in the storm and we remain here waiting for word. I feel just as…”

She did not finish her thought, but it was understood; it was as if she was waiting for word on Philip once more. Rose wished desperately that the men had not retreated into the night in search of their missing peers but there was little she could say to stop them. No one was apt to listen to a governess, no matter if she was seemingly the only one sound enough to foresee the danger which lay ahead.

“The temperatures are freezing, and the men are all in their altitudes. Instead of merely one missing group, we shall have a dozen missing men, all frozen to their deaths by morning!” Rose whimpered to the Boyles after the men charged into the night.

“You mustn’t think that way,” John chided softly. “They are experienced in hunting and tracking. They will find the duke and his men and return safely.”

Rose bit on her lower lip to contain more terrified words from escaping. There was no positive outcome to be had. Something awful had occurred in the woods, of that there was no doubt but what? Had someone been injured or taken ill? Or was it much worse than that?

“Come, child. We will fix tea and wait for word together in the salon,” Bridget told her, guiding her from the galley and into the front of the house

“I will see to the tea, Mrs. Boyle,” Trudy volunteered, and Rose eyed the woman gratefully.

Her concern for Nicholas was paramount but only slightly more than the worry she had for the duke. The Boyles’ words to her earlier that morning still rang in her head and gooseflesh prickled her arms. She could not supress the thought that Captain Balfour had something to do with the group’s predicament.

“You are a fright, my dear,” Bridget said, feeling the chill course through Rose’s body. “Let us get you warm.”

Rose could see there would be no warmth, not until she knew if her prayers were answered and that everyone had returned to Rosecliff safely.

“Miss Rose,” Trudy announced, entering the front room where John paced about nervously. “Here is your tea.”

Rose accepted the cup but she did not take a sip, lest she become sick. The idea of putting anything in her gullet while she was in such a state was inconceivable. There was no doubt to her mind that she would expel anything which attempted to go down. Her hands were trembling noticeably and she was forced to put the saucer aside and rise from the wing chair near the fireplace.

“I should join the search,” she murmured aloud. The Boyles protested simultaneously. “I cannot sit here a moment longer and wait!”

“Nonsense!” the cried.

“It is your duty to tend to the children and the household,” Bridget reminded her. “There need be someone here lest the children wake and no one has returned.

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