Free Lady Alexandra's Lover by Helen Hardt Page B

from the estate.”
    “My lord…er… We got word from the caretaker that you hadn’t arrived in London, and Lady Sophie was concerned… So we…” The servant’s face turned bright crimson.
    Evan cleared his throat. “We’re thrilled to see you, of course. But if you could give us a couple of moments?”
    “Yes, yes, of course.” They moved backward and shut the door behind them.
    Evan’s cheeks were rosy, and Ally was sure her own visage was as scarlet as the servant’s had been. “What will we do now? He saw us nude!”
    Evan shook his head. “I’ll see they’re compensated for their discretion. And if they breathe a word of this, they’ll be dismissed. I feel certain I can trust our servants.”
    His voice didn’t sound as sure as his words did, but Ally had no choice but to trust him.
    “Come,” he said, “we need to get our garments on. Yours should finally be dry by now.”
    Ally’s chemise and drawers had been dry for a day, but her traveling outfit was still slightly damp. Nothing to be done. Either wear it, or go back to the Brighton estate wearing bed linens… No, not on today’s agenda. By the time Evan was dressed, Ally needed help with her corset.
    He came to her without her asking and tightened it for her. “These things always seemed barbaric to me,” he said.
    “Trust me, they are.” She sucked in her breath. “But what choice do we ladies have?”
    “You don’t need one,” he said. “You have a lovely shape without it.”
    Thankfully her back was to him. Her cheeks and chest warmed.
    “I hope your friend in London hasn’t been too worried about you,” Evan said, still tightening her laces.
    “My friend?”
    “The one you were supposed to visit?”
    “Oh. Yes, of course.” Ally cleared her throat. “Miss…Spofford. I’ll send her a wire when we get back. I’m sure I’ll be able to visit her soon.”
    “There are still a few balls in London as the season finishes up,” Evan said. “Perhaps you and Sophie would like to attend one? We can plan another trip in a week or two, after we’ve rested up and fully healed from the accident.”
    How perfect that he suggested it! “Yes, I think that would be acceptable,” she said, trying to sound casual.
    “Perhaps your friend Miss Spofford will be in attendance.”
    “Yes…perhaps.” Ally bit her lip.
    “There you are. That’s as tight as you go.”
    “Thank goodness. Anything more and I might swoon.” She did so hate her corset. She pulled up her dress and stepped into it. “I’ll need you to fasten me.”
    He quickly did so.
    Ally bit her lip again. “What are you going to tell those men?”
    “That this is none of their concern. They’ll be fine, and if they aren’t, they will no longer be employed. Most of our servants are notoriously loyal. We treat them well, so there’s no reason for them not to be.”
    She nodded, hoping he was right. “Do you think they brought any food with them?”
    “Lord, I hope so,” he said. “I am certainly famished.”
    “We should have woken up earlier and left before they got here.”
    “Yes, we should have,” he agreed, “but I assure you there will be no trouble from this. And honestly, it’s better this way. We haven’t eaten in two days. We’re weak, and the trek to the road would have been arduous for both of us.”
    True. But it would have been a lot less embarrassing.
    Evan opened the door. “After you.”
    Ally walked outside. The sun was shining, finally, and the two men stood next to two saddled horses. Evan walked to them and had some words with them out of her hearing. Just as well—she was embarrassed enough, and if she heard the words, no doubt she’d turn seven shades of red. She looked around. Where was the carriage? Not even a buckboard?
    Evan returned to her. “I’ll take one of the horses. You will ride with me.”
    Lord in heaven. Ally was not much of a rider.
    “I’m sorry there’s no sidesaddle. You’ll have to ride