Total pages in book: 114
Estimated words: 107756 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 539(@200wpm)___ 431(@250wpm)___ 359(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 107756 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 539(@200wpm)___ 431(@250wpm)___ 359(@300wpm)
Knock. Knock.
“Enter,” I said. The maid had brought what I had asked. “Set it beside me.” I waited for her to leave before I handed him a glass of brandy.
“How do you know I seek brandy?”
“You and Damon are alike in that regard,” I replied.
“If only he were my blood instead of Fitzwilliam.”
“If that were the case, you would be my brother and not my husband, and that would be a great loss to me,” I said, gently cleaning off his face.
He laughed but then stopped, wincing and grabbing his side.
“What is it?”
“Nothing,” he lied.
“Fine, if you choose not to let me see, then you must be truthful with the doctor.”
“You called for a doctor?” he asked.
“You are injured!”
“Barely.”
“Evander, there is blood on your clothes. Your hand is now swollen, and you are wincing at a mere touch. That is not barely. That is serious.”
“My love, it is—”
“No.” I held my hand up to him. “When I was fifteen, I saw a man get beaten on the side of the road. Then later heard he had jested about how he was made of ‘strong stuff’ and would not seek treatment, that he was fine. The next day, he died.”
He laughed once more. “I truly do not believe it to be that severe, my love.”
“You are not a doctor, and I trust only the advice of medical professionals for health. The doctor will see you, and you will allow yourself to be seen. In fact, was it not refusing to get treatment before that led to you getting a fever? Why must you refuse to learn from your mistakes—”
“I yield!” He raised his hand and then winced.
“Good.”
“For a moment there, you sounded like your mama.”
I turned my eyes on him in horror, and he chuckled at me. “Do not tease me!”
“I was not teasing. You truly did.”
I reached to take the glass from him, and he held it from me, laughing despite his pain. “You have clearly had too much.”
He kissed the side of my cheek. “Not at all.”
We locked eyes. “Are we still speaking of the brandy?”
He shook his head. “No.”
He leaned forward to kiss me when there was another knock at the door. “Damn,” he muttered.
“Enter,” I said, standing taller as Eleanor came in.
“Your Graces, the doctor is here.”
“Already?” I was amazed.
“Yes, Your Grace, he was already on his way. Mr. Wallace said he has treated His Grace before.”
“Who?” Evander asked. “Dr. Cunningham?”
“No, Your Grace, a Dr. Darrington?”
Evander made a face but nodded. “Bring him in.”
I was quite stunned by the youth of the man who entered our rooms. He glanced at me and tipped his head. “Your Grace.”
“You’ve treated him before?” I asked.
“I told you I am fine,” Evander said. “Yet you followed me here?”
“You said the same thing in London, and I figured someone would call tonight if not in the morning,” he replied.
“I do have another doctor—”
“Please check him carefully, Dr. Darrington.” I smiled and left the room.
Once outside, I saw Verity farther down the hall, checking around the corner as though she were spying.
“Verity? What are you doing?”
“Are my eyes deceiving me, or is Dr. Darrington here?” she asked.
“Yes, he is.”
“Truly, he is here?”
“Yes,” I repeated, not sure why she seemed so interested.
She exhaled, then turned around and left, muttering to herself.
Strange.
“Your Grace?”
“Yes.” I turned to Eleanor.
“Nanny Phillipa shall be here by nightfall.”
“Oh, finally.”
Phillipa had been my sister’s nanny. I had written to my mother, asking for her help in securing her services, as I could not bring myself to trust anyone else with Emeline, nor did I want anyone who would threaten what I was building with her.
“Is Emeline napping?” I asked.
“Yes, Your Grace, I checked in on her earlier.”
“Thank you. I will go sit with her and explain about Nanny Phillipa.” I didn’t want her to think I had passed her off. “How are we with the additions to the staff?”
“So far, all is well, but it will take more time, Your Grace.”
“Of course,” I replied as we walked. I was pleased to realize I was finally getting more familiar with where I was going in the house. “How is the talk of late?”
“Much improved, Your Grace.”
“Well, we should be prepared for more.”
I did not know the details of Evander’s actions, but I was sure the town would be abuzz when they heard that their duke had fought a local man like a ruffian. Part of me had wished to lecture him on his behavior, as I was working so hard to improve our reputation, but upon seeing how dejected he looked, I could not bring myself to do so.
“That is all for now,” I said to Eleanor before entering Emeline’s room.
Once inside, I leaned against the door. It was always one thing or another now. Nothing was simple, despite all my efforts. Though I was not sinking from the weight of it, the burden of Evander’s house and this family was heavy. Which made me think of Marcella and what it would have been like had I been placed in this role at sixteen. Surely, it would have broken me. I worried about her.