Andrews Brothers 02 - The Rescue Read Online Free

“Please Garrett, speak with Father. Find out what he hides from me. Why he insists on this union. I can’t wed Clovis. You heard him. He has killed seven wives already. I won’t survive.”
    A tear slipped down her cheek and Garrett wiped it with his knuckle. “Your mother was a kind soul. She felt me suited to your care, and I have protected you since you were a wee lass. But your father has no sons and this union, after your frolicking with the farm boy, is the best he could arrange.”
    She crossed her arms over her chest. “I’ll run away. I’ll travel to the coast and find Angus and father will never see me again.”
    Garrett patted her head like a wayward child. “Regardless of what Clovis would have me do, I will remain close.”
    She opened her mouth to thank him, but he interrupted.
    “Not here but close by, at least until the wedding. I promise, no harm will befall you.”
    Garrett turned on his heel and quit the house. Farrah blinked back tears as the door clicked closed. Under her breath, she whispered, “It already has.”
     

Chapter Three
    The carriage swayed to a halt. The door opened and Andrew grew lightheaded as men laid him on a canvas frame and hauled him inside a moderate-sized townhouse. Blurred vision kept him from recognizing the details of his surroundings, so he focused on the voices swirling around him.
    “Kingsley, you will instruct a footman to leave on the morrow for Ravenwood. I would have the country estate prepared for our arrival. Also please have him inquire as to our neighbors. Rumor has it Clovis Flannigan is in the throes of planning another wedding.”
    A gasp rent the air. “Another, my lady?”
    “Yes, another. The poor dear has no idea what she’s in for.”
    Multiple candles lit the foyer and Andrew used his arm to shield his eyes from the light. Someone clapped.
    “Staff, assemble.” Footsteps pattered. “Andrew is home!”
    Silence swept the room. The only noise was his heavy breathing. The woman repeated, “I said, Andrew is home. Do you not think this is a happy occasion?”
    The first sound of joyful chattering circulated the room, escalating into a fever pitch until a cane struck the floor. The noise ceased and the face of an elderly woman rose above him. A smile tilted her painted lips as she smoothed a stray hair from his forehead. To the men holding the canvas framework, she said, “Place him in the room at the top of the stairs.”
    “Yes, my lady.” The men grunted as they took their initial step.
    Voices echoed along the staircase, but Andrew couldn’t decipher the words. The handlers struggled until they reached the upper platform. To keep from growing dizzy, he focused on the ceiling. They entered a room, lowered the frame to the bed, and rolled him off onto a thick down filled cover.
    Comforted by the lushness, Andrew released a breath. The men exhaled loud puffs of air. They left and the warmth of the room spread around him causing his eyelids to grow heavy.
    Wind and rain whipped past his face. Tree limbs snagged at his clothes. Heated voices drifted behind him. His pulse raced and his chest burned. He needed to get away from them…
    “He should wake any moment.”
    A cool rag covered his forehead and he parted his lids a fraction.
    “See, my lady.”
    “Yes.” There was a brief pause before the elderly woman from before leaned over and patted his cheek. “Do not worry, Andrew, Mother will take good care of you.”
    He attempted to rise but his head pained and he fell back against a mountain of pillows.
    “The poor dear. Is there nothing more you can do, Harold?”
    “I’m afraid not, my lady. Your, um, son, has suffered a nasty bump to the head. The healing will take time.”
    “Yes, of course.” She ran her aged hand along his stubble covered cheek. Quickly, she withdrew and rose to her full height. “You will stay with us until he is well.” The voice was commanding and brooked no argument.
    “B-but—”
    “Harold, I will