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“I can walk, Papa” Jacob sat up Water trickled from his hair and down his cheek
Lord Farleigh helped his son to his feet “I’ll send someone to collect the basket”
They walked back to the house in silence but for the water squelching in their boots Lord Farleigh held Jacob’s hand while Rose clutched Alice’s tiny fingers The heaviness in the air spoke of a range of eh’s arlance in her direction but kept his gaze fixed firmly ahead
As they traipsed across the field, their hands touched They could have attributed the discreet er hooked around hers, and they continued on their way
Once back at Everleigh, the house erupted into chaos Mrs Hibbet organised warer to know that Jacob would suffer no lasting effects fro so much water
Rose sat on her bed for half an hour, brushing her hair, her mind a juhts Jacob worried her If his et hurt And what of the intense attraction she felt towards Lord Farleigh? How ironic that a
A knock on the door disturbed her reverie, and Mrs Hibbet opened it a fraction and popped her head around the jamb
“His lordship would like to see you in his study once you feel able” Mrs Hibbet glanced at the brown bottle on the side table “Perhaps you should drink the tonic Dr Taylor left for you When the cold seeps into your bones, there’s bound to be repercussions”
Rose refused to drink anything without knowing its contents And if the potion worked wonders ere the servants still ill? One had to question the doctor’s coed for his visits and was in dire need of funds He wouldn’t be the firstfro addiction
“A nip of brandy works better than any tonic I’ve ever taken”
Mrs Hibbet studied Rose’s short locks “His lordship knows that Jacob cut your hair The child confes
sed to the crime”
Rose cah To punish Jacob will only make matters worse”
Mrs Hibbet opened the door fully An affectionate smile lit up her face “I told the reat need Happen I was right”
Rose knocked gently on the study door Lord Farleigh called for her to enter He sat behind his desk in dry clothes although his dark hair curled at the nape where the ends were still da back and forth and nibbling his bottom lip