Fenella J Miller - [Duke 02] Page 7

  She pushed a taper into the embers and ignited a candle. With this held securely in one hand she ventured out; the corridor was dark but at the corner her illumination was redundant. Several wall sconces in the main passageway were still flickering. She hesitated; should she leave her candlestick behind? If the sconces were alight here then they would be downstairs as well.

  She placed her candlestick at the corner of the corridor down which she must return. Gathering up her skirts she ran lightly down the stairs. Which way now? She closed her eyes and tried to visualize exactly where she’d seen the room she wished to find. The chamber was at the far side, adjacent to the west wing in which the guest rooms and servants quarters and necessary offices were housed.

  She walked briskly down the central corridor watching the numerous doors, she was almost certain the yellow drawing room would be the last door. She opened the door and stopped on the threshold. Botheration! Her wits were addled; of course this room was dark with not even the remains of a fire glowing in the grate. She would have to bring down her candlestick after all.

  It took her a further quarter of an hour to retrace her steps. She wished she’d left the door ajar as this would make it easier to find. She quickened her steps, the sooner she had something to read and returned to the safety of her own rooms the better.

  *

  Ralph had taken papers to his apartment. If he remained in the study staff would be obliged to stay up until he retired. He was working on an urgent estate matter when a faint click alerted him. Was that the door to his foyer opening? He swung back in his chair, tilting his head. No, he must have been mistaken. He tossed his quill onto the blotter; he’d continue this tomorrow morning. He glanced at the tall clock ticking noisily in the far corner of the chamber. A quarter past one - high time he found his bed.

  His lips thinned as he recalled his brother’s protestations of undying love for Miss Hadley. He had only prevented the nincompoop from announcing he was married by threatening to break his neck if he did so. They both knew he would do nothing of the kind but his younger brother recognized the danger signs.

  Unfortunately this had not stopped Rupert bleating on about the woman the entire journey. For once he had not discouraged his brother from drinking heavily knowing Rupert would be less likely to talk to him, on a subject that was already tedious, on the return journey. His lips twitched; it had taken the combined effort of two footmen to escort Rupert to his chambers on their return.

  He stood up, yawned and stretched. He’d long discarded his evening jacket and was in his shirt sleeves and waistcoat, his cravat dangling around his neck. What he would like was a large pot of coffee but it was far too late to disturb the kitchen staff. Tonight he would make an exception and go down and fetch it for himself.

  He lit a candle and stepped into the vestibule from which all his chambers led. He was about to open the door when he heard footsteps in the passageway outside. This could only mean one thing—there was a burglar abroad. Blowing out his candle he removed it from the stick and reversed the heavy object. This would be ideal as a weapon. He flattened himself against the wall and waited.

  The door slowly opened. His jaw dropped. He instantly recognized the outline of the person stepping in. Miss Hadley. A rush of bitter disappointment flooded through him; this was rapidly followed by white hot anger. The girl was still married to his brother and yet here she was seeking him out in his private chambers in the middle of the night.

  *

  Stepping into the room Anna held up her candlestick. Her fingers tightened, her knees all but gave way beneath her. This was not the room she wanted. Before she could retreat the door closed quietly behind her.

  “Well, well, I was not so far off the mark after all. I take it you’re looking for me?”

  The candlestick slipped from her fingers and landed on her toes. Despite the shock of finding herself closeted with the duke the pain in her left foot made her cry out. The chamber was inky black; she crouched down cradling her injured foot.

  “Stay where you are, I shall fetch a light.”

  Before she could warn him he was upon her, his knees collided painfully with her back and sent her sprawling. Unable to retain his balance he trod painfully on her hand and then crashed against a piece of furniture and joined her on the carpet. Her ears burned from his intemperate language but she was too distressed to complain.

  Chapter Eight

  “God’s teeth! Are you hurt? I heard you cry out.”

  Anna was unable to answer; he’d quite knocked the breath from her body. All she could do was wheeze. An attempt to push herself from her face to her knees failed dismally as her damaged hand refused to take her weight. She flopped back her lungs burning, not sure which part of her hurt the most—her crushed foot, squashed hand or the small of her back.

  Westchester regained his feet and pushed open a door flooding the space with light. Then he was on his knees and gently rolled her over. One arm slipped beneath her knees and the other around her shoulders and she was hoisted unceremoniously into the air. She was still too short of breath to complain she had no wish to go inside his apartment. Being in his vestibule in her night garments was quite bad enough.

  “Don’t try and speak, close your mouth and breathe slowly through your nose. I’m going to put you on the sofa.”

  She did as he suggested and found her tortured breathing began to ease. Her head rested on the arm, she closed her eyes, waiting until she was able to speak. He was beside her again about to remove her slipper and examine her foot. She attempted to snatch it back but the pain was too fierce and she barely held back her moan.

  “Please, sir, I don’t wish you to … it’s not seemly ... we must send for my abigail.”

  His touch was gentle and his voice quite different from the sharp tone she was accustomed to. “I think, my dear, it would be far better if no one was to know of your presence here, even your maid.” His expression changed. “Good grief! I believe you might have broken one of your toes.”

  She sat up, intending to move the voluminous skirt of her dressing-robe but when she did so she winced. Immediately he took her hand and examined what was quite obviously the imprint of his boot.

  “This is my fault. I cannot tell you how sorry I am I have caused you hurt, Miss Hadley. I fear we shall have to summon the physician to take care of these injuries.”

  “Right now? In the middle of the night? I would much prefer to wait until the morning. I came down here to …”

  “To do exactly what?” His enquiry had an edge of steel.

  Only then did she recall what he’d said when she first arrived. She felt the heat begin at her toes and slowly creep the length of her body until she was burning all over. “I came down to collect a book from the yellow drawing room; your mama told me there were several recent novels there.”

  His eyes lightened and he shook his head in disbelief. “I take it geography is not a strong suit of yours? You turned east instead of west, the room you seek is at the other side of the building.”

  Mortified not only at her dismal sense of direction but also that he had believed she’d come to visit him. “My lord, could I trouble you to carry me back to my apartment? I shall summon Molly once I am safely there. I shall tell her …” she stopped, not sure how she could explain her injuries, especially the unmistakable imprint of a boot heel on the back of her hand.

  “I shall do so at once. Is your maid discreet?” As he spoke he scooped her up for the second time and strode to the door.

  “She is; she has been with me since I was a girl. Once my hand is bandaged no one need know how the injury came about. I shall tell your mama I fell asleep reading a book and tripped in the dark.”

  He whisked her through the deserted house but paused where she had left her lighted candlestick. “Can you manage to pick that up with your good hand?”

  “I can, I shall need it when I reach my sitting room as I left no illumination there.” Somehow she stretched out and
recovered the object without extinguishing the flickering flame. He shouldered his way into her parlour and put her on a divan pushed up against the wall. “If you could kindly ring the bell before you leave I should be grateful.”

  The bell tinkled and the sound of movement immediately came from the small bedchamber Molly occupied. “I must bid you good night, my dear, I shall come and see how you do tomorrow.”

  “No, you mustn’t. How could you possibly be aware that I am injured?”

  His smile was unexpectedly warm. “This is my home, I am fully aware of everything that goes on here.” He disappeared through the door just as Molly bustled in.

  “Lawks, whatever next! Look at your poor hand; however did you come to do that?”

  “I have also damaged my foot. Please fetch me cold compresses then I shall tell you the whole.”

  When Anna had completed her tale Molly shook her head. “Do you think his lordship knows about her grace and yourself?”

  “I think not. My hair is still damp so will have looked as dark as it did before. Dressed in these old garments I’m sure I look just as dowdy. No, I’m not concerned about his having discovered our secret. My worry is that I shall be unable to go down to dinner tomorrow, the duchess will be so disappointed if we cannot surprise the duke and his brother as planned.”

  Molly finished bathing both injuries. “I think the damage is not as severe as you feared. If you rest up tomorrow I reckon you’ll be able to walk. Mind you, you’ll probably have a bit of a limp.”

  “Not only that, I shall not be able to wear the matching gloves. They fit so snugly they will not go over the bandage on this hand.”

  Molly assisted her to bed and this time Anna was ready to sleep. Her dreams were full of a dark haired, tawny eyed gentleman—fierce and formidable but very attractive.

  *

  Ralph returned to his domain not sure why he felt so unsettled by the encounter with Miss Hadley. It could hardly be her alluring beauty for even in her nightwear she had not raised his pulse one iota. It must be the fact he’d caused her to drop a heavy silver candlestick on her toes and had compounded this by treading on her hand. However much he might dislike the girl he was not in the habit of causing a female distress.

  The clock in his study struck two. He might as well retire although it hardly seemed worth the effort. He was determined to rise at dawn and send a groom to fetch Dr Fletcher. His mouth curved as he imagined the torrent of abuse his younger sibling would heap on his shoulders. Heavens above! His wits were wandering; Rupert could not know who had caused the injuries. It would seem whether he wished it or not, he shared a secret with his brother’s erstwhile wife.

  Without doubt Rupert would make a mountain out of a mole hill, his mother also, so it behoved him to have the quack at the house first thing in the morning. As he slipped into slumber it occurred to him Miss Hadley would not be able to dine with them after all. It had been his intention to insist she came down now that Rupert was in residence.

  *

  “Nothing to worry about, Miss Hadley. Severe bruising can be painful but will soon improve. The cold compresses you have worn overnight have been beneficial.” Dr Fletcher smiled benevolently and closed his medical bag.

  “I was intending to dine downstairs tonight, Dr Fletcher. Shall I be able to walk without assistance by then?” Anna liked this elderly gentleman, particularly his flamboyant style of dress. He was wearing a waistcoat of gold and green stripes, blue breeches, brown top boots and a bottle green coat.

  “I see no reason why you shouldn’t, Miss Hadley. Make sure you rest your foot all day, keep it elevated as I’ve shown you as this will help reduce the swelling. Now if you will excuse me I shall call in and see the duchess before I leave.”

  Anna hoped her ladyship had due warning of this visit and was safely ensconced in her armchair and not perambulating about her apartment. The doctor was bound to tell Westchester if he discovered his patient had made a remarkable recovery since his last visit.

  “Molly, could you go with the footman to the yellow drawing room and see if you can find those books. I shall need something to occupy myself if I’m to be marooned on this sofa all day.”

  She had just settled herself with the first of these titles, a Gothic romance, when Molly was obliged to open the door. A footman staggered in with an enormous arrangement of hothouse flowers, another followed behind with a basket in which were not one, but two, pineapples.

  “Put the flowers on the octagonal table in front of the window, Molly. The fruit can go on the side table.” Anna broke the blob of red wax and opened the note that had accompanied these gifts. The bold black writing suited the sender. She quickly scanned the contents not sure if she was offended or pleased by the sentiments it contained.

  My dear Miss Hadley,

  Kindly accept these small tokens in the hope that they will add weight to my apologies.

  I understand from Dr Fletcher that you have suffered no fractures and for this I am profoundly grateful.

  I’m sure that you have no wish to remain under this roof any longer than is necessary. I must warn you Rupert has decided he wishes to make the marriage genuine. You will not be surprised to know that I have told him it will be over my dead body. I remain your obedient servant

  The indecipherable scrawl at the end of the letter must be his signature.

  Soft footsteps approached the door and to her astonishment the duchess peaked around. “I had to come and see you, dearest girl. I do hope you are not suffering too badly from your accident.” Her eyes widened and she caught sight of the flowers and fruit. “Are these from Rupert by any chance?”

  Anna laughed. “They are from Westchester. He takes his duties as master of the house very seriously it would seem.” She shuddered theatrically. “I dread to think what Rupert might send me when he hears of my injuries.”

  “He was in his cups last night; I doubt he’ll make an appearance until lunchtime. I am so looking forward to this evening, such a shame you won’t be able to wear the entire ensemble Madame Ducray has provided. Shall you be able to put on the matching slippers?”

  “I sincerely hope so for I have nothing else suitable. As they are heeled I shall have to wear both or none at all. Fortunately without them my gown is long enough to cover my feet. I’m hoping that with the gold silk stockings on it will not be immediately obvious I’m without slippers.”

  “Another thing, my dear, I think it is high time we abandoned the formalities. I should like you to use my given name, it is Sarah. In future I shall call you Anna.”

  “Are you quite sure you wish me to address you so casually? The duke will disapprove.”

  “Fiddlesticks to that; we are bosom bows are we not? What is more natural than using our first names.” The duchess … no, she must think of her as Sarah in future, sank gracefully into the armchair opposite. “I am enjoying all this playacting; I insist we perform a pantomime at Christmas.”

  This was not the time to remind Sarah she had no intention of being at Shalford Hall in December. Anna changed the subject. “I hope you were able to disguise your remarkable improvement from the doctor, Sarah.”

  “Indeed, I complained bitterly about the aches and pains and how miserable I was. I declare I quite depressed the poor man and he was glad to depart. He will have reported to Ralph and this will make tonight so much more exciting.”

  “What time are we to descend?”

  “Ralph does not like to keep country hours. We dine at seven. This is why I always have a substantial mid-day meal. I am at a loss to understand how the gentlemen can go from breakfast until dinner and eat nothing at all.”

  Anna smiled. “I believe it is because they eat three times as much as we do when they break their fast.”

  Sarah came over and kissed Anna on the brow. “I must return to my rooms, the surprise will be quite spoilt if Ralph appears and I’m not there.” She turned at the door. “Come through to me at half past six. I shall inform Foster we are bo
th dining downstairs. Imagine his dismay if we appeared and he had not lain up correctly. He has strict instructions not to reveal I am accompanying you.”

  *

  The day passed pleasantly enough and Anna pushed aside her worries about the coming evening. She wasn’t sure Westchester would take kindly to further surprises which involved herself. At five o’clock she began her preparations. It would not do to hurry; everything must be exactly right as she had no wish to let Sarah down. Excitement bubbled inside her. If she was being honest she wanted to look her best. Neither Rupert nor his brother had seen her looking anything but dull.

  At exactly half past six Molly stood back. “There, miss, you look as pretty as a picture. That gown is perfect with your colouring.” Her maid shook her head. “It’s a right shame you can’t wear the gloves or slippers.”

  Anna glanced down at her stockinged toes. “I pray no one else will notice the discrepancy. I don’t believe I’ve ever had such a lovely gown.” She smoothed the golden-yellow silk between her fingers. “I’m not sure about the neckline—even with these delightful rosebuds is it not too low?”

  “Lawks, miss, it’s just right. I reckon you think you’re revealing a bit too much because you’re not used to wearing pretty clothes. The pearls are perfect.”

  “Yes, thank you for threading them through my hair. If my foot was not so sore I would feel like dancing.” Anna picked up the reticule and fan which had been made to accompany the gown and adjusted the matching gossamer wrap. “I shall not need you again tonight, Molly. You may take the rest of the evening for yourself.”