Page 126 of Secluded with the Rogue

Eleven

T he next morning, Charlene rolled over in bed—the bed she'd lost her virginity in. To Andrew Wentworth, no less!

She groaned in utter despair. Why? Why had she allowed that to happen? Heavens knew the man was attractive—that was never the problem with him. It was his overbearing nature. He always knew best. He was just like everyone else in her life, always trying to coddle her and protect her. But that wasn't living life—she wanted adventures! She wanted to be free to go where she wanted and speak to whom she wanted. Society's rules be damned!

And then he’d had the nerve to laugh at her last night when she’d felt so awkward, so unsure of herself and what to say or do. She’d lost her temper instantly and thrown the man out. It was probably for the best, anyway. She didn’t need him getting any ideas about doing the honorable thing.

Charlene went to the window as she had done every morning since arriving at Glenn Ivy. The snow had stopped, and the sun was shining! She smiled. Today would be a good day, she was sure of it. Perhaps she could leave today? If not, she would at least be able to go outdoors. She quickly performed her morning ablutions and dressed, before heading downstairs, dreading facing Drew after the way last night had ended, but she was starving and she had plans now the snow had stopped.

The morning room was blessedly empty, so she quickly grabbed a bowl of porridge and a rasher of bacon before she sat down. She ate as quickly as she could, enjoying the salt-free version of her breakfast. She had just finished eating when Drew appeared.

He nodded. “Good morning, Charlene.”

Her stomach clenched around all the food she'd just eaten and for a moment she thought she might cast up her accounts. “Good morning, Drew. I was just on my way to visit John.”

A pang in her chest had her wanting to rub at the spot just under her breastbone. Why had he called her Charlene? He'd been calling her Charlie almost from the moment of her arrival. As many times as she had asked him not to, he still insisted on using that stupid moniker. Why not now? Was it something to do with…last night?

“I stopped in on John on my way to breakfast. He seems to be recovering well.”

Drew's voice sounded odd to her. Distant. It was as though he suddenly held her at arm's length.

Charlene sucked in a breath and resisted the urge to ask him what was going on. Had he been angry when he saw her this morning? She could have understood that, considering the way she'd thrown him out of her room.

But this? This distance he placed between them was different. It felt wrong.

“That was very kind of you, if you'll excuse me.” God, she wanted to escape the room now. Her insides were all twisted up in knots of worry after this encounter.

“You are free to go whenever you wish.” The way Drew said it felt more meaningful than releasing her from the breakfast room niceties. It felt like a dismissal from his house. Maybe from his life.

“Good day.” Charlene fled the room, heading straight upstairs to find John. She went to his bedchamber and found him cheerily sitting up and having breakfast with Billy and Polly. The trio seemed to get on well.

“Good morning, John. Billy, Polly.” Charlene nodded at each in turn. “I just came up to check on your recovery, but you seem to be doing quite well this morning.”

Relief poured through her. She'd been so worried about him the night of the accident.

“I am, girly. My ankle is even feeling better. I was able to get out of bed this morning and put some weight on it.” John grinned happily as he picked up a rasher of bacon from his plate, using it to point at her. “And how are you doing? I hope you're not causing these nice people any trouble.”

She couldn't help but laugh. “No, of course not. I'm hoping we can be out of their hair before too long. The snow has stopped.”

“I was just telling John that very thing,” Polly smiled. “You should get outside and take some fresh air after being cooped up for so long.”

Charlene nodded. “I plan to, unless you think we could be on our way?”

“Sorry to say, my lady, I don’t think so. Perhaps with the good weather I can go fetch your vehicle, if the snow isn’t too piled up. But there’s no one to drive you in either your coach or ours.” Billy looked apologetic as he explained.

“I do understand. And I appreciate all everyone has done for us. Well, I suppose I shall be off. I had just wanted to come and see John before I went about my day. Since he has such good company, I shall come back later. Enjoy your breakfast.” She departed the room as quickly as she'd appeared.

Polly was right: she should get outside. That would keep her away from Drew and any further tumult with him. She had on her trousers under her woolen dress and her sturdy boots on, so all she needed was her cloak. Once she found that, she headed straight for the stables.

With Billy occupied by Polly and John, and Drew presumably tucked into his study, there was no one to tell her she shouldn't go for a ride. She wouldn't go far, which was in any case likely impossible with all the snow piled up, but she was ready to put a little distance between herself and Drew, even if only for an hour or two. Quickly saddling a mare that looked suitable for her—she wasn’t an avid horsewoman—she trotted out of the stable.

It was a glorious day. The sun shone, the snow sparkling like diamonds. She trotted carefully away from the house and off into the woods, the ride slow going as she couldn't see what was under the snow, but the sweet mare she was on seemed surefooted and patient with the pace. Charlene sat back and enjoyed the pace the horse set. After all, she had nowhere to go and all the time in the world to get there. She was free.

They had been out for nearly an hour, she suspected, when she decided it was time to head back. It was getting colder, and she could use a good fire. It was when she turned the mare back toward Glenn Ivy that the horse stumbled and reared.

Charlene tried to hang on, but even sitting astride the horse, she didn't have the strength to keep her seat. As she clung to the animal, she cursed the fact that she took a carriage everywhere and rarely rode. Her arms and legs gave out as the horse reared once more and she tumbled backward off the mare. The sensation of falling, just floating in the air for a moment, was quickly followed by the jarring sensation of connecting with the earth. The breath was knocked out of her, and a moment later, everything went black.