Free Miss Peterson & The Colonel by Fenella J Miller Page A

instant.
    'My dear girl, let me see. I hope you haven't broken anything.'
    David arrived at her side. 'I think not, Colonel Westcott. Our housekeeper shall attend to my sister. She should not be down here. None of the women should be involved in this matter.'
    Tension flickered between the two men. Then the colonel rose smoothly to his feet and nodded. 'I beg your pardon, Miss Peterson. You have done magnificently tonight. I believe I owe my life to you for a second time. But your part is done. Peterson is quite right; you must remain upstairs. Lock yourself into your bedchamber and remain there until this matter is brought to a conclusion.'
    Lydia wasn't sure with whom she was more cross. There was no future in arguing the point. Both men were waiting for her to remove herself. She pinned on a false smile. 'Of course, you're both correct. Dorcas, let me take your arm. We are in the way down here.'
    The housekeeper, two parlourmaids, two chambermaids and Martha accompanied her into her apartment. No sooner was the door closed behind them than she turned to her maid. 'Help me get dressed. I shall put on my work clothes; breeches and boots are needed tonight, not gowns.'
    'But your foot, Miss Peterson? Is it not badly damaged? That candlestick was brass, it could have broken a bone.'
    Lydia held up her foot for inspection. 'See? It's bruised but no more than that. I've suffered far worse when a horse trod on me. Martha, have you taken my riding habit away?'
    'No, ma'am, it's still in the linen basket. I reckon there's enough material can be salvaged to make something else. But it needs laundering first.'
    Not wishing to explain why her question was so urgent, Lydia hurried into the dressing room to find the garment. Reaching into the pocket, she was relieved to find the missing book where she'd left it. She hid it in her sleeve just as Martha joined her. The matter was secret. Better no one else in the household was aware of its importance.
    Assuming a nonchalant air, she smiled. 'Yes, you're quite right. There's ample material to make me a spencer and a matching muff.'
    She returned to her bedchamber, hastily tucking the small volume under her pillow as she removed her night clothes.
    *
    Simon watched as Lydia limped away. When all this was sorted, he'd ask Peterson's permission to pay his addresses. In spite of the seriousness of the situation, he was obliged to restrain the urge to clap the young man on the back, to embrace him and call him brother. It was imperative he pushed such feelings to one side and concentrate on the matter in hand.
    But it was hard. He'd never been in love before. His jaw dropped. In love? How could that have happened? Until this moment he thought himself immune to such emotions. From now on he must be vigilant, not just for himself, but for Lydia, the young woman who had become the most precious person in his life.
    'Colonel Wescott – Colonel Wescott are you feeling unwell?'
    Simon was jerked back to his duties by Peterson's anxious inquiry. 'I am perfectly well. Has everything been done as I ordered?'
    'We now have seven able-bodied men inside with us, all fully armed. The house is barricaded. There's no way to gain entry from the outside. We have sufficient food and water to maintain a siege for two weeks.'
    'Good grief, man, it shall not come to that. If it were not for the ladies, I should take the fight to them. Reinforcements will arrive as soon as the storm abates. All we have to do is remain vigilant until then.'
    'There are still two stable hands in the yard. I could not leave our horses unattended. They have strict instructions to keep away from the house and remain hidden from the traitors.'
    'Excellent. It will take some time for them to release the prisoners. This heavy rain might well be to our benefit in the end. I doubt even the hardiest man would wish to remain outside in the downpour when there's a snug billet to be had nearby.'
    Simon frowned. Thinking about Lydia had made him