Alfred considered this. There were two possible avenues of answers. On the one hand, he could give Evander a list of practical things to do inside the resort, things that could help prepare for Caroline's return. Find a blanket from one of the rooms, and thick and warm one. Pilfer a bottle of brandy from the kitchen. See if you can find some clean rags or bandages somewhere. If Alfred found her out there she was likely to be soaked to the bone, and could very well have some minor damage from falling trees or other flying debris, so getting her warm and cleaning her wounds would be the first order of business. Evander could make himself useful doing that.

On the other hand, was it fair to ask him to stay here when Caroline was out there? It was where he would be most useful, without a doubt, but if something bad happened — if Caroline was more than just wet and cold and sporting some new scrapes and bruises — was it fair for Alfred to deprive him of the chance to help her by sending him off on a blanket-finding errand? In a worst case scenario, if Caroline was gravely wounded or deathly ill because of going out in that storm, would Evander ever forgive Alfred for keeping him inside? Would he forgive himself for staying?

Alfred wavered. "I can find her," he promised, though he was not at all sure of this. "Do you want to come, or stay?"

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