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“I can see that,” Isabella replied with just a hint of irritation In truth, she was too tired and too wet to care

Sedgewick inclined his head “I am afraid I have been led astray, my lady”

Mrs Birch elbowed the butler “Let me explain, my lady—”

“You may save your explanations until later” Isabella held out her arht in the storm and are soaked to the skin”

Mrs Birch craned her neck to peer over Isabella’s shoulder “We, my lady?”

“Lord Morford has come to stay for a few days Let us pray Jacob is in the stables waiting to attend to hi fences on my horse”

The housekeeper opened her ive me, my lady, but isn’t Lord Morford … d-dead?”

It suddenly occurred to her that the woht have addled her senses, but she had not lost her faculties

“It is the gentleer brother who has come to stay When he returns from the stable he will require a war A hota chill”

They all raised their chins in acknowledgement

Mrs Birch turned to Molly “The longer he remains in damp clothes the worse it will be”

“Well, what are you waiting for?” Isabella sucked in her cheeks and raised a brow to convey her io and heat the water”

Molly gasped After offering a curtsy, she scurried out into the hall

“Lord Morford will take Lord Fernall’s old chamber,” Isabella continued aware of the curious look that passed between her servants Should Tristan object, she would offer hienda forthe request Tristan needed to ree phenoht the fire in his chamber and have a bath drawn for him as soon as possible”

They all nodded and hurried from the room Mrs Birch hovered at the door “Won’t you need soe out of your wet clothes?”