Free Dawn Thompson by The Brotherhood Page A

otherwise.”
    “Perhaps so, but I have served this house for over forty years, and in all that time, I cannot cite one instance in which young master or his father before him ever failed in that respect.”
    “Yes, well,” Joss said, bringing them both to their feet, “you may as well save your breath, Parker. After tonight, the archbishop himself couldn’t convince Miss Applegate of that, I fear. Dear lady, you are compromised, and there is nothing for it. My butler has died, and all the other servants are too occupied with the press of that to see to your needs. That duty has fallen to Parker . . . and me.”
    The valet gave a start, and Cora gasped. “What happened to him?” she said.
    “He . . . took a fall,” Joss said, choosing his words carefully. It would not be easy to dupe this little spitfire. “He was on in years, and well loved in this household.He will be sorely missed.” As straightforward as he was trying to be, he couldn’t keep his voice from quavering.
    “I’m . . . sorry,” she murmured.
    “As a result,” Joss went on, “we are at sixes and sevens here now, and will be for some time. You, miss, are snowed in until the roads are passable. They are far from that at present, for which I can vouch, having just been out trying to find them under the snow. It was nearly impossible, even with the sledge. You are welcome, of course, to stay as long as needs must.”
    “How long do you expect that to be, sir?” Cora snapped.
    The gel would benefit from a good spanking, Joss decided, though no trace of that sentiment came through in his speech. “Until Mother Nature permits, and not a second longer,” he said. “You are
her
prisoner here, not mine, I assure you. This time of year, one storm often follows on the heels of another here in the North Country. That is what is happening now, I’m afraid. When such occurs, traveling the tor becomes impossible. We shall just have to bide our time.”
    “So, what is to be done?” she said. “Where is Amy? Am I not to have her now?”
    “Amy is needed below,” Joss said. “Grace is distraught and unwell besides. She needs Amy’s care now else I have two bodies to bury when the snow melts. Amy will return to you once her duties permit. Until then, we must make do, commencing now.” He turned to the valet. “Parker, you are needed in the yellow suite to help Otis and Rodgers board up a broken window. I shall remain here with Miss Applegate until you have done so. I will occupy that suite for the rest of her stay, and she will remain here . . . in mine. Proprieties will be observedwhenever possible, but when needs must, like now, they will have to be waived. I am sorry, but there it is.”
    “I shall go at once, sir,” said the valet, starting toward the door. He turned at the threshold. “Eh . . . where shall I go afterward, sir?” he said. “I was just about to retire. If young miss is to keep your apartments . . .”
    “I have no idea,” said Joss. “I shall meet with you in the yellow suite once I’ve spoken privately with Miss Applegate.”
    As the valet shuffled off through the wide-flung door, wagging his head, Joss faced Cora, arms akimbo. “Now then,” he said, “What am I to do with you?”
    “I beg your pardon?”
    “I cannot leave you alone, and I cannot stay with you. That presents somewhat of a problem, since at the moment I have no suitable person to look after you properly.”
    “I am well able to take care of myself, sir,” Cora said, tossing her long chestnut mane.
    “Not . . . in this,” said Joss. “I wasn’t entirely truthful with Parker before. We have a serious problem here. I was going to keep it to myself so as not to distress you, but I can see by your very demeanor that it’s best that you are made aware. Please sit. There is no need to brace yourself for battle, at least not with me. You look as if you think I have arranged all this just to compromise you, which couldn’t be farther from the