Adeline gulped at the same moment another round of howling broke through the crashing noise of the storm. She was uncertain what option would leave her the most vulnerable: being washed away by the ever-increasing flood water, set upon by a pack of hungry wolves, or agreeing to accompany the hooded stranger back to his home to wait out the storm. For likely the first time in all her life, Adeline had no urge to act impulsively, no rash compulsion to leap from her carriage and into Lord Ailesbury’s inviting coach.

Glancing across the carriage, Poppy appeared as hesitant as she, her fingers clutching the edge of the seat. It was not only Adeline’s safety at stake but that of Maxwell and Poppy, as well.

“I will await you in my carriage.” The earl nodded to Maxwell before retreating to the cover of his waiting conveyance.

“Miss,” Poppy whispered, leaning close as if afraid the man would overhear, but the boom of thunder covered her single word, and the windowpanes in the carriage rattled as the ground shook. “Do you suppose it is safe?”

The storm was no doubt directly above them, and a torrential downpour eminent. She needed to make the decision to remain in their damaged carriage or accept Lord Ailesbury’s offer of shelter. Yet, trepidation held her back. She’d never been the Melton sibling to shy away from anything due to personal risk…however…

Adeline nibbled on her lower lip, pondering her situation, and that of her servants.

“The rain be come’n down, miss,” Maxwell called, the wind howling through the cracked carriage door.

“Do you think the man safe?” she asked.

“He be have’n a fine coach, nice clothes, and superb horses,” her driver replied.

“I did not ask if he is financially endowed.” A well-sprung carriage, and the best horses Tattersall’s had to offer did not make one safe. “I meant, do you think it wise to journey with the earl to his home?”

“I do not think we have much choice,” Poppy squeaked.

“Very well,” Adeline sighed, collecting her handbag as she prepared to depart her family coach. “Do make certain my belongings—and Poppy’s—are brought to Lord Ailesbury’s residence.”

“Of course, Miss Adeline.”

She took the driver’s offered hand and stepped back into the rain, surprised to find an unfamiliar servant holding an umbrella to shield her from the worst of the storm.

“Right this way, miss.” He waited for Poppy to exit and gestured toward Lord Ailesbury’s waiting carriage, the large man already seated inside. “I have coals to warm your feet, and a thick woolen blanket to ward off the chill until we arrive at Faversham Abbey.”

Adeline slipped her arm through Poppy’s, and they picked their way across the muddy road, attempting to maneuver around the largest puddles.

Finally, they took the two steps into Lord Ailesbury’s carriage and seated themselves across from the hulking man. If he’d looked massive outside with his wide shoulders and thick legs, now, he appeared to nearly fill the interior of the carriage. True to the driver’s promise, a blanket lay folded between Adeline and Poppy with a metal box of coals under their seat. A single lantern swung on a hook outside the carriage, fighting to remain lit despite the onslaught of wind and rain. It cast a dim glow around the women and on Lord Ailesbury’s booted feet, but did not reach any higher on the man, leaving him shrouded in darkness, his hood still raised to shield his face—or so it appeared.

The coach sprang into motion a few moments later, and Adeline waited for the man to speak…or lower his hood…or, at the very least, breathe.

But he made not a sound.

He only sat with his head lowered slightly, making it impossible for Adeline to gain a proper view of his face.

“Thank you for your kindness, my lord,” she mumbled, attempting to force him to speak. “It was very gallant of you.”

“It is as any gentleman should do,” he grunted.

“Yes, but offering us shelter is far more than what is expected.”

He pulled the curtain back and stared into the dark night beyond. “It was either that or risk having you perish in the storm.”

Adeline scooted in Poppy’s direction, hoping for a small peek as he continued to stare at something beyond their carriage, but he allowed the curtain to fall back into place and reached up, adjusting his hood.

“We are arriving now.” He pounded on the side of the coach, and they slowed to a stop. “I will let the pair of you out here. My servants will collect your carriage as soon as the storm passes and make the necessary repairs. My housekeeper will see you to your room and have a meal prepared.”

Lord Ailesbury crossed one leg over the other and placed his hands on his lap, relaxing into the plush padding.

Was he dismissing her?

Instantly, she was transported back to her girlhood—being deposited outside Miss Emmeline’s without an offer of assistance down the long drive. A sharp retort rushed to the tip of her tongue.

Before she could utter a word, however, the carriage door swung open, and a footman set the steps. No wind or rain swept into the coach.

“Thank you, again, my lord.” Adeline stood, her chin notching high as she took the steps down to the cobbled drive, happy to see they’d pulled into a sheltered area that kept the storm at bay. “Come, Poppy.”

“Abbington,” the driver shouted to the man who had opened the front door. “Please have Mrs. Hutchins prepare a guest chamber for Miss…errr…”

The man’s words trailed off as he searched his memory for her name, but Adeline hadn’t given it, and neither had Lord Ailesbury or his servant asked.

“Miss Adeline Price,” she said with a smile. “But, please, Addington, there is little need to go through all that trouble for me.”

“It is our pleasure, Miss Adeline,” the servant said. “I am George, me lord’s driver. If ye be need’n anythin’, do have someone collect me. For now, Abbington and Mrs. Hutchins will take swell care of ye.”

“And what of Lord Ailesbury?” He hadn’t departed the carriage—and even now, she noted his knees through the open door. “Will he not be accompanying Poppy and me into his home?”

George glanced over his shoulder and back to the waiting women. “He, ah, well…he be have’n work ta see ta in the stables. I be certain he’ll join ye for a meal in an hour’s time. He likely be make’n certain your servant and horses find dry accommodations.”

Peculiar since the earl had told her a meal would be prepared for her. Could it be the man avoided her? And why would the lord of the manor have business to attend to in the stables in the midst of a gale? She tamped down the unease that coursed through her. This was one night…in a strange home…with an unusually mysterious lord. Besides, Adeline would keep Poppy at her side. Certainly, her most trusted maid wouldn’t allow anything untoward to occur.

A gust of wind wailed through the covered alcove where she stood, whipping her damp cloak and skirt about her ankles as the cold burrowed through her many layers of clothing. Perhaps it didn’t matter what Lord Ailesbury’s plan was, only that she and Poppy were delivered to a warm, dry room before the weather gave them the sickness.

She hurried after the butler, Abbington, into the foyer. The warmth hit her square in the face as she crossed the threshold, yet Adeline pulled to a halt, causing Poppy to slam into the back of her when they came face-to-face with a line of perfectly groomed and outfitted servants, each with a welcoming smile and a kind greeting.

A tall, rail-thin woman, her eyes wide with what appeared to be shock—or possibly apprehension—stepped forward from the group of gathered servants. Her lack of cleaning rag or duster, plus her pristine uniform indicated that the older woman held some elevated position among the other staff.

The butler stepped forward, joining Adeline, Poppy, and the older woman. “Mrs. Hutchins is Lord Ailesbury’s housekeeper. Mrs. Hutchins, may I introduce Miss Adeline Price. My lord would like her shown to a room and a meal delivered, followed by a hot bath, if she so chooses.”

“Of course, Abbington,” the woman scuffed. “I know how ta do me job, even if’n it has been a bit.”

Adeline glanced over at Poppy, who stood not beside Adeline but a step behind her. They shared a look and a shrug.

“Emily, fetch Miss Adeline her meal and meet us in the lavender room.” The entire gathering drew in a deep breath. “And the rest of ye, best be get’n back ta ye chores.”

The servants scattered in every direction, and within a moment that only left the housekeeper, Adeline, and Poppy.

“This way, miss.” The older woman didn’t wait for Adeline to respond but started up the grand staircase, giving her no other option but to follow—and follow quickly. The woman moved fast for her advanced age, her rounded bum shifting from side to side as she climbed the stairs. “Ye room be just down this hall, miss. We be happy ta have ye.”

A large set of double doors lay at the end of the hall, but the housekeeper stopped before reaching them and turned to a single wooden door instead. Mrs. Hutchins flipped the latch and pushed the door wide. It was difficult for Adeline to remove her stare from the imposing double doors at the end of the all, despite the housekeeper’s attempt to gain her attention once more.

“Ye be comfortable here.” She gestured for Adeline to enter. “Ye things be brought straight away, miss.”

“Thank you,” Adeline mumbled, stepping into the room.

There was not a speck of dust anywhere, yet the furnishings and draperies appeared to be decades old. The sconces on the walls were already lit, and the drapes were pulled back, giving her a view of the storm beyond. Could it be that Lord Ailesbury kept this room ready in case a guest happened upon Faversham Abbey?

“This room is lovely, Mrs. Hutchins.”

“I be tell’n the master ye said so.” Mrs. Hutchins rocked back on her heels, a satisfied smile upon her lips and her hands clasped before her. The woman obviously took pride in her household. “Here be ye meal.”

Footsteps sounded down the hall, and Emily hurried into the room, placing the silver tray on a low table not far from the roaring hearth.

“Anything else, Mrs. Hutchins?” The young maid kept her eyes on Adeline as she spoke.

“That be all,” Mrs. Hutchins said, glancing over at Poppy. “Please show Miss Adeline’s maid to the kitchens for her meal.”

“Of course.” Emily curtseyed to Adeline and waved for Poppy to follow her.

The two young women departed the room, leaving Adeline alone with Mrs. Hutchins.

Adeline wandered to the bank of windows taking up the far wall and glanced out as a streak of lightning lit the sky, causing her to step back in alarm.

“Worst storm these parts be see’n in many a year,” Mrs. Hutchins called from the door. “But Faversham Abbey be solid. Don’t ye be worry’n ‘bout that.”

Adeline stepped forward once more, but did not train her sights on the storm overhead but rather what lay below. Lanterns illuminated the stable yard, the doors thrown open wide as she spotted a hooded figure striding toward the house.

Lord Ailesbury. It had to be him, but his hood made it impossible to tell.

Within the blink of an eye, he was gone, and Adeline wondered if he’d been there at all.

“Lord Ailesbury was very kind to offer us shelter.”

“He be a kind and generous man, ta be sure.” The housekeeper had moved toward the large bed and straightened the coverlet before hurrying over to the low table to remove the cover from Adeline’s meal. “We don’t be see’n many visitors this far from the main road.”

“But you had this room prepared…” Adeline ran her hand down the drapes, noting the frayed edges, even though they smelled freshly laundered. “After being stuck in the storm, I am overjoyed to find a warm room.”

The lightning struck once more, followed by a loud burst of thunder. The vast area surrounding Faversham Abbey was lit only for a second, but it was enough to see the towering structure in the far distance.

“What is that?” Adeline glanced over her shoulder to see the housekeeper had paused in her inspection of the room. She turned to look out the window over Adeline’s shoulder. “That building in the distance—“

“That be Home Works, the gunpowder plant outside Faversham.”

“It is a large building.”

“Yes, well, this be the country, but we still be need’n ta put food in our bellies, not that the townsfolk be admit’n ta the kindness Ailesbury be do’n for them.”

“Does Lord Ailesbury—“

Mrs. Hutchins turned toward the door, her words cutting off Adeline’s question. “Now, ye should eat afore Cook’s meal be cold as ice.”

“Certainly.” Adeline moved from the windows, and Mrs. Hutchins hurried over and untied the cord holding the drapes open. They fell into place over the windows, blocking out the sight of the storm, if not the sound of the wind and rain and thunder. “Thank you again for the dry room and meal.”

“I be let’n the staff know ye appreciation, Miss Adeline. Do enjoy ye night. If ye need anythin’, just pull the cord by the door. Meself or Emily will come.”

And as quickly as she’d shown Adeline to the room, Mrs. Hutchins was gone, closing the door in her wake.

Adeline realized except for Miss Emmeline’s School, her family’s country estate, and her London townhouse, she’d never slept anywhere else—especially a place as quiet as Faversham Abbey. Not a sound could be heard as Adeline sat on the lounge and looked around the room. Perhaps she should have requested Poppy remain with her. The room was large, bigger than any at her family’s home, and there was plenty of space. The bed was vast enough to sleep Adeline and all her sisters.

When had Adeline ever known the luxury of her own room? Those first few months at Miss Emmeline’s School had been the one and only time—until Georgie, then Josie, and finally Theo joined her. Miss Emmeline had been correct: Adeline was not suited for loneliness and solitude, but this was only one night. On the morrow, her carriage would be repaired, and she’d be on her way back to London, and the never-ending noise of her family home.

Her time at Faversham Abbey likely forgotten.