Page 61 of The Not So Perfect Duke

Right. Sure I am.

They spoke more of Damon’s case, with Eleanora going to the study to retrieve paper and ink once the dishes were cleared. Mrs. Bartle brought fresh tea, then departed for the day.

“Downderry, Cornwall? That is a fair distance. Who should we send?” Christian asked.

“Well, the family cannot go. I am not leaving Althea,” Eleanora stated firmly.

“There is the newest employee. Edwina Callen,” Sybil suggested.

“That is quite a journey for a novice,” Althea replied. “Can we rely on her to take this on?”

“Well, she has been efficient with the duties given to her so far. Why not?” Eleanora said. “I say we send her immediately. We will have to hire another investigator, as we have more cases than we can handle.”

A spark of an idea flared in Althea’s mind. “Olivia told me of a woman who had come to her rescue when she was abducted. Held off those two bullies with a knife. We need someone besides Archie who knows the streets, is tough and is handy with a blade.”

“Wait, isn’t this woman a prostitute?” Eleanora asked.

“What does it matter if she is?” Althea replied. “Think of the undercover work she could do, and no, I do not mean that sarcastically or literally. Her name is Mary O’Toole, though Olivia is not sure that is her true name.”

“Of course, it doesn’t matter,” Eleanora stated firmly. “By all means, look into it.”

“I will write to Olivia about it immediately, and she can give us information on contacting Mary.” Should she mention her health crisis in the correspondence? Best to wait until there was news before crafting a letter to her new friend.

They talked some more, and before they knew it, the bell sounded at the front entrance.

Christian jumped up. “I’ll see to it.”

Her brother-in-law reentered the dining room, with Damon following close behind. At the sight of her golden duke, Althea nearly burst into tears as she was so relieved and happy to see him. It took all her restraint not to leap to her feet and throw herself into Damon’s strong, warm, and comforting embrace.

Oh, dear.

Her feelings were much more engaged than first surmised and more intense than she had verbalized to Damon. They were moving beyond friendship and at a swift pace. So much for taking the time to work through the emotions. Nothing like a crisis to bring one’s feelings into sharp focus.

Damon took off his hat and ran his fingers through his hair. “I am early. I couldn’t stay away.” He placed his hat on the side table, removed his coat, and hung it on the hook. “What are you all talking about?”

“You. Or more specifically, your case,” Althea replied, giving him a shy smile.

Smiling, he sat beside her, took her hand, and kissed it. Oh, how she loved it when he did that. Her cheeks grew hot and hang it if everyone saw how he affected her.

“We will be sending Miss Callen to Cornwall with all haste,” Sybil replied. “And Archie is in the East End procuring a cracker for the safe. Things are moving along.”

“I never doubted it,” Damon replied, not taking his eyes off Althea.

In response to his heated regard, her blush deepened. He still held her hand, and she laced her fingers through his.

“Have things progressed between you?” Eleanora demanded.

“El,” Christian admonished.

“It’s fine, Christian,” Damon replied. “I would like to think things are progressing, but that is entirely up to Althea.” He kissed her hand again, then released it.

And Althea missed the warmth of his touch. All she wanted to do was crawl into his lap. Could it be her health predicament fueling this need? Would the fever dissipate once she was given a clean bill of health? Or has this emergency solidified her wayward emotions, as she had deduced earlier?

There was no time to contemplate it further, for Corbett arrived with Doctor Stevenson. He was an older man with a shock of white hair and kindly brown eyes.

After introductions, the older doctor asked, “Is there a private place we can examine Miss Althea?”

Eleanora escorted them to the study, then left them alone.