Cora and Juliet were already on their feet with Archer not far behind. But it was Lydia who got their first, striding into the hallway and putting herself between the governess and a trembling Iris.
“Miss Boyd, how dare you speak to my niece in that way. She is a child. And she is excited about going to the theater.” Lydia towered over the severe looking woman.
“With all due respect, Your Grace,” Miss Boyd sneered, “you are not the one I answer to. I know my business and you do not.”
“That is the Duchess you are speaking too,MissBoyd.” Archer strode towards her, watching as she flinched away from him. “And you would do well to remember that.”
“Your—Your Grace. I had not… I did not realize that you were back.” Miss Boyd swallowed.
“Clearly.” Archer’s voice was colder than the depths of winter. “Your services are no longer required. Do not expect a reference from me, good or otherwise. Now get out of my sight ,or I will make you rue the day you dared speak to mynieceand mywifethe way you just have.”
Miss Boyd’s eyes filled with tears, and she fled. Lydia helped Iris to her feet, and then Cora scooped the little girl into her arms.
Archer turned to face Lydia. “I owe you an apology. Miss Boyd is awful. I am sorry I did not listen.”
“You should apologize to Iris, not me. She has been telling you the truth of her far longer.” Lydia gestured to the girl who was crying into Cora’s neck.
“I’m sorry, Iris. I promise, the next time I will listen to you.” He stroked her forehead and then frowned. “You feel a little warmer than usual; are you feeling all right?”
Iris nodded and let out a small cough. “I’m okay. I’m just a little tired.”
Archer’s eyes met Lydia’s, and he saw the same fear that he felt reflected in them. Iris was never tired.
Chapter Twenty
“How is she, doctor?” Lydia stood over Iris, who was tucked away in bed with a fever.
Iris groaned softly, and Lydia laid a hand on her forehead. She had sent Cora and Juliet away with their brother after he had threatened to hunt Miss Boyd down and strangle her. The woman had hidden Iris’ symptoms for days, applying cold water to the child’s forehead whenever she could—not to treat the fever but to hide it.
“She is past the worst of it though it would have been much better if I had been sent for sooner.” The doctor shook his head. “Her fever is coming down, but just to be safe, I’ll give her something for the fever and make a mustard plaster. I’ll need full access to your kitchen.”
“Yes, of course, Doctor. You’ll have complete access to anything you need,” Lydia replied quickly.
“Thank you, Your Grace. I will do my best to remedy Her Ladyship’s illness quickly.” The doctor allowed Mr. Lloyd to lead him to the kitchens.
Juliet and Cora were waiting outside the door, and Juliet rushed in as soon as the door was open, sitting beside Iris and dabbing gently at her forehead with a cold rag. It was clear she was tired.
“Where is Archer?” Lydia asked.
“In his study.” Cora’s face was white. “I cannot believe we did not spot this sooner. I feel like such an idiot.”
“It is not your fault. It is that bloody Miss Boyd.” Lydia clenched her hands into fists. “I knew she was a baggage, but I had no idea she would do something like this. If I ever get my hands on her…”
“There is a pig farm nearby if the day ever comes. They eat anything and everything.” Cora’s eyes were dark with fury.
Lydia looked back once more at Iris, who was sound asleep, before rushing to Archer’s study.
Predictably, he was pacing the floor—Lydia was surprised he had not worn a hole in the rug “What did the doctor say about Iris?”
“He requested control of the kitchen to prepare remedies for Iris’s fever.”
“Well, that’s good.”
Archer ran a hand through his hair. “Curse me for a fool. If I hadn’t been so stubborn… I should have known. I should have seen that she was sick.”
“It may be your fault that that woman stayed with us for as long as she did, but it is she who hid Iris’ illness from us. I was so caught up refurbishing the dowager cottage, I even roped in Juliet and Cora to help me.” Lydia shook her head. “If I had just been more patient, tried to convince you a different way…”
“If anything happens to her…” Archer trailed off, his face ashen.
