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Slowly, Charlotte became aware of women’s voices talking nearby.

“She’s been sleepin’ soundly this whole time, ma’am.”

“So she’s had nothing to eat or drink?” Grandmama sounded worried.

“No, ma’am.”

“Run down to the kitchen and fetch a tea tray, would you, Sally? She cannot continue much longer without nourishment.”

“Yes, ma’am. Right away.”

A door closed, and Charlotte forced her eyelids open. Sunlight, bright and warm, filled the room. She blinked, struggling to get her bearings. She was in her guest bedchamber at Tribbley Hall, lying beneath a mountain of blankets. And she was no longer shivering.

Memory of her condition when William handed her off to Mrs. Underhill came flooding back, bringing with it a rush of warmth to her cheeks.

“Grandmama?” Her voice was croaky.

“Charlotte! You’re awake at last.” Her grandmother took the chair beside the bed and reached for her hand. “How are you feeling?”

“Thirsty,” she said.

Grandmama nodded. “I’ve just sent Sally for some tea. It will be here shortly.”

“What time is it?”

“Quarter past four.”

Charlotte stared at her. “In the afternoon?”

“Yes, child. You’ve been asleep for almost fifteen hours.” Anxiety filled her eyes. “We’ve all been worried sick about you. Mrs. Underhill and Sally have watched over you from the moment Lord Cheston walked into the house with you in his arms. Lady Cheston has stopped by every hour since she arose. And Lord Cheston has almost worn a hole in the carpet in the passageway from all the pacing he’s been doing outside your room.” She squeezed her hand. “Honestly, Charlotte, whatever possessed you to do something so rash?”

“We needed to save the sheep before they were stolen, and …” She paused as her grandmother’s words sank in. “Did you say that Lord Cheston has been pacing?”

Grandmama chuckled softly. “Like a man possessed.”

If it were possible, the warmth in Charlotte’s cheeks intensified.

“Why? He has so many important things to see to.” Not least of those was the capture of Mr. Ryland.

“I get the impression that you rank rather highly on his list of important things.”

“Is he outside the door now?”

“No. I believe the magistrate arrived at the house about half an hour ago, and he was called downstairs to speak with him,” Grandmama said.

Had the magistrate brought news about Mr. Ryland? Charlotte pulled back the covers. “I must get dressed.”

“Absolutely not!” Her grandmother was horrified. “After what you’ve endured, you will not leave this room until I am fully satisfied that you are completely well.”

“I am completely well.” Charlotte tugged one of the blankets so that it fell across her leg. Until she’d moved it, she had forgotten about her encounter with a rock when she dropped into the sea. The large purple welt on her knee was commensurate with the throbbing pain she was experiencing, and if Grandmama were to spot it, she would not be allowed out of the room for a week.

“When Sally brings the tea tray, you shall sit up in bed and partake of some refreshment,” her grandmother said. “Afterward, if you feel up to it, you may attempt a turn around the room. For now, that is as far as you will go.” Her grandmother waggled her forefinger at her. “And you know full well that it is a great deal more than your mother would allow.”

Just because Grandmama was right did not make it any easier to bear. With a sigh, Charlotte pulled the pillows up against the headboard and repositioned herself so that she might lean against them. She had no doubt that her grandmother would watch her like a hawk when she circled the room. Somehow, she was going to have to hide her bruise and her limp simultaneously.

“I cannot imagine where he might be, my lord,” the magistrate said. “Immediately after your steward arrived to tell me what had occurred at the beach, I rode to Ryland’s house to detain him. There was no sign of the gentleman. According to his butler, he had arrived home an hour or so before and had awoken his valet, ordering him to pack trunks for an extended time away. He changed into dry clothing, left the house, and has not been seen since. His trunks are sitting in the hall still.”

William paced the length of his study. He’d sent Thomas to the magistrate’s house in the early hours of the morning. Since he’d heard nothing from Mr. Wellington in the intervening hours, he’d assumed that the magistrate had apprehended Ryland long ago. Learning that the gentleman was yet at large did not sit well.