“Looks like a cabin,” she said, “but right now anything is better than this. Do you suppose anyone is at home?”
Though the fog was thick, daylight was still upon them, so Evan couldn’t tell if a light was on in the small dwelling. They continued to trudge, Alexandra holding her own like a champion. He was proud of her.
When they finally reached the small building, Evan knocked on the door.
“For goodness’ sake, you’ll have to knock louder than that,” Alexandra said. “No one will hear you during this downpour.”
He nodded and pounded on the door. Nothing. Gaining hope, he turned the knob and the door opened. Thank God!
It was small, just one room, and clearly it had been vacant for quite some time. It was probably an old tenant or hired hand’s home on one of the neighboring estates. But the estates were vast. They could easily be isolated.
No time to worry about that at the moment. Once the storm passed, he would figure out where they were and walk to get help. For now, they could at least dry off and rest a bit.
They walked into the small dwelling. It was sparse, of course. A bed with a worn comforter sat in the far corner, and a small table and chairs, a bureau, and a slipper tub completed the picture. A few cupboards lined the walls. Certainly far from the elegance they were used to, but they would make do.
He helped Alexandra to one of the chairs. “How are you feeling? Do you hurt anywhere?”
“Kind of a dull ache all over,” she said, “but I think I’ll be fine. It’s not the worst I’ve been through.”
Evan’s heart lurched. What might she have meant by that?
“What happened to the coachman?” she continued. “And what of the horses?”
“Old John was thrown from the carriage. I couldn’t do anything for him.”
Alexandra’s eyes widened and her lips trembled. She clutched her hands together. “No! How horrible. We must have been extremely lucky then.?
?
Evan nodded. “Being in the coach saved our lives. And it’s still a miracle neither of us was hurt more than we are. I’ve a few bruises that I can already feel, but I’m all right. I’m so glad you are all right as well.”
“Yes. And the horses?”
“Thor, who got struck, was near-dead. I cut Odin loose, and he went running off.”
“The poor dears.” She sighed. “I don’t suppose there are any spare garments here. We must get out of these wet clothes before we both catch our deaths.”
Evan looked around. She was right. He found only a few sets of bed linens folded inside one of the cupboards. “These will have to do.” He handed a set to her.
“Well, I guess we can be Greek today then.”
Evan furrowed his brow. “Greek?”
“We’ll wear togas, silly, like the Greeks.” She smiled wearily, her pretty face pale. She stood, gasping softly.
“What? Do you hurt?”
“Just a touch. I’m fine, really.” She lifted her lips in a saucy grin. “You’ll have to unfasten me.”
Confessions of Lady Prudence
by Madame O
Christophe widened his brown eyes. “Your cunt, my lady?”
I smiled the most wicked smile I could summon. “My cunt, sir. Surely you’ve heard the term?”
“But from a lady of the peerage…”