Page 56 of The Duke’s Hidden Duchess

She finished the knot and turned it beneath his hand where it would not catch.

“There. Try not to strike anything else until Thursday.”

“I make no promises.”

“Then I shall hide the furniture.”

She should have released him. Instead, her fingers remained lightly around his wrist for another moment.

Nathaniel turned his hand beneath hers, careful of the bandage, and caught her fingers.

The change in the room was immediate and quiet.

Neither of them mentioned the folly.

He lifted her hand and pressed his mouth to her knuckles.

Selina’s expression softened.

“That,” she said, “was a considerably better use of the hand.”

“I am learning.”

“So you keep telling me.”

This time, when she withdrew her fingers, she did so slowly.

***

Nathaniel returned to the inn reports after luncheon. By evening he had succeeded in learning nothing further, which Selina observed was the natural consequence of having acquired all the useful information available and refusing to accept that there was not more of it.

The house went to bed without incident.

It was well past eleven when the bell at the country entrance sounded.

Nathaniel heard it from his study. A few moments later Bassett appeared at the door.

“A messenger for Your Grace. From Mr Sowerby. He says the matter will not wait until morning.”

Nathaniel was in the hall before the man had finished removing the rain from his hat.

The messenger had travelled by post with all possible speed and looked it. Mud marked his boots nearly to the knee, and his coat was wet across the shoulders. He refused refreshment until Nathaniel had taken the packet from him.

“Sowerby instructed me to place it into Your Grace’s own hand.”

“You have done so. Sit down before you fall down.”

The man appeared prepared to object.

“That was not a request.”

Bassett took charge of him.

Nathaniel broke the seal.

Your Grace,

I write in haste, the matter being sufficiently urgent that I do not trust it to the ordinary post.