Free Gayle Buck by The Demon Rake

and smouldering blue eyes, Victoria could well believe the maid’s assessment.
    “You’re a rag-mannered whelp, sirruh,” snapped Sir Aubrey. “How dare you appear before the ladies in your dirt?”
    Evelyn ignored his fathers’ admonition. He acknowledged Lady Hortense with a short bow, but his angry glance passed over Sir Aubrey and Victoria to fasten on Lord Damion. He said abruptly, “St. Claire! You are the one I wish to see.” Dull red stained Sir Aubrey’s weathered cheeks.
    Lord Damion chose to appear unaware of his cousin’s discourtesy. “Of course, Evelyn. In a moment. Pray sit down and join us,” he said calmly.
    “There is no time, St. Claire. Dorothea and my precious sister-in-law are trapped in our carriage down at the crossing,” snapped Evelyn.
    Lady Hortense gasped in concern. “My dear! Are they all right?”
    “Yes, for the moment, Aunt,” said Evelyn.
    “What happened?” asked Lord Damion. Victoria observed that Evelyn’s tight face relaxed slightly.
    “I was riding beside the carriage. We have a new driver. Before I could stop him, the cow-handed fool tried to take the carriage across the low place. It floundered and is now up to its axles,” said Evelyn swiftly.
    Lord Damion was rising even as his cousin finished. “Has the vehicle tipped over?”
    Evelyn shook his head. “But we could not cut the horses free. Without their weight to act as a counterbalance, I feared that the entire equipage would roll over.” His voice sharpened with ragged fear. “You know how that crossing is after this kind of rain. The water is higher than I have ever seen it. St. Claire, if we linger much longer—”
    “I will come at once. Call for horses and the men, Eve,” said Lord Damion. His cousin turned on his heel, setting up a shout in the hall. Lord Damion turned to the others sitting silently at the table. “I expect that we shall return shortly. If you would, Mama, pray alert Mrs. Lummington of our errand.”
    “Of course, Damion.” Lady Hortense rose immediately, glad of something to do. She paused beside her son and reached up to place her hand against his hard cheek. “Pray take care, Damion.”
    He smiled and placed a quick kiss in her palm. “I always do, Mama.” She nodded and hurried from the room.
    Sir Aubrey waved his hand at Lord Damion. “Well, do not just stand there. Go, go. We will see to what needs to be done at this end.”
    Lord Damion nodded and left the room. Evelyn met him outside the door, and as Lord Damion joined him, Victoria caught his hurried voice. “. . . she’s in the family way ... insisted upon coming ...”
    “Well, well.” Sir Aubrey drummed His fingertips on the table. “Evelyn has managed to make a botch of it, as is his usual custom, and Damion needs must run to the rescue.”
    Victoria looked at him. She thought his contempt for his son was out of place under the circumstances. She did not bother to hide her disapprobation as she rose from her seat. “I will join Lady Hortense and Mrs. Lummington in preparing for their return.”
    Sir Aubrey looked up at her, a thin smile on his lips. “I see that you disapprove of me, my lady, but I make no bones about whom I dislike. My son Evelyn is a damned puppy. He is not worth the salt in that shaker, my lady, and so you’ll find.”
    “I know that you will excuse me. Sir Aubrey,” Victoria said quietly. She exited the dining room, followed by the gentleman’s snort of derision.
     

Chapter Eight
     
    Victoria saw the housekeeper beginning to ascend the stairs and called to her. Mrs. Lummington paused, impatience and curiosity warring in her expression. Victoria quickly asked if Lady Hortense had already informed her of the crisis.
    “Aye, we’ve heard of it. The crossing is a treacherous spot, but with m’lord Damion in charge they’ll make all right and tight,” said Mrs. Lummington. “Her ladyship is already gone upstairs to see that the beds are warmed properly and I’ve set Cook to