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The Dowager Duchess gasped. “I would never have believed you capable.” She fanned herself with her gloved hand. “You must take care of this situation at once.”
Henry rolled his shoulders, trying to relax his tense muscles. “How do you suggest I handle the situation, Grandmother? It is not my affair. I am not the one trying to steal another man’s wife. I can hardly convince Lord Barrow he is not in love with Lady Clay, as he has already determined he is.”
“But you do not have to allow them to stay in your house,” the Dowager Duchess protested, her jaw quivering in outrage.
Henry sighed deeply. “Please, Grandmother. Allow me to deal with one problem at a time. I must make sure Eleanor has recovered first. Then, I will see to our issues with the Earl and Lady Clay. Will that appease you?”
Henry’s grandmother lifted her chin. “I suppose I have no choice but to acquiesce.”
“Thank you, Grandmother. Now, I wish to seek out Dr. Wexler. I want to hear his full report from his visit with Eleanor.” Henry glanced over his shoulder at his wife. “Would you mind staying with Eleanor while I look for the physician?”
“Of course, not,” the Dowager Duchess replied. “I should be happy to sit by her side.”
Henry started to leave the room and then he stopped mid-step. “Oh, and Grandmother…”
“Yes?” She replied.
“Should Eleanor awaken, do try to be nice.”
The Dowager Duchess huffed and then she sat primly in the chair next to Eleanor’s bed.
Henry hurried out of the room, leaving the door wide open. He wasn’t sure where he would encounter the doctor, but he wanted to be able to return to Eleanor’s side as quickly as possible.
* * *
Henry had every intention of locating Dr. Wexler, having a brief conference with him, and then returning to Eleanor’s bedchambers, but somehow things did not evolve as Henry planned. First and foremost, he had a terrible time finding the physician. He wasn’t in the dining room, nor was he in the drawing room. Henry, quite frankly, wasn’t sure where the doctor might have gone and so he set out on a grand search.
In the meantime, he ran into Frederick.
“I’ve just been to see Eleanor,” Frederick said, his lips pursing. “She doesn’t seem to be doing too well.”
“Oh?” Henry asked. “I had been hoping the short nap would leave her feeling refreshed and renewed. When did you visit her?”
Frederick tipped his head from side-to-side, thinking over the matter. “I suppose I left her room about a half-hour ago.”
“And how did she seem?” Henry pressed.
“She was complaining that she was having trouble seeing. It was as if everything was just a little bit blurry.”
“Did she know she was speaking to you?” Henry asked.
“Yes,” Frederick shrugged, “but I’m her brother. Even if she didn’t recognize my face, she would certainly know my voice.”
Henry thanked Frederick for his information, and then he continued his search for Dr. Wexler. Henry just decided to check the wing upstairs where unmarried male guests spent the night when he was waylaid by Rosalin. She caught him just as he came onto the landing.
“Your Grace,” Lady Clay said breathlessly. She held a hand over her heart. “I’ve just been to see Her Grace.”
“You have?” Henry asked. He glanced up and down the hall.
How long have I been gone? And where is my grandmother? Why is she admitting so many people into Eleanor’s chambers?
“Of course,” Lady Clay responded. “I’ve been checking on her once an hour, every hour.”
“So often?” Henry asked, and before he could allow her time to reply, he pushed the question further. “Did you come into the room while I was asleep in there?”
Lady Clay chewed on the corner of her lip and her eyes darted to the side. “Yes, Your Grace. I entered with Dr. Wexler.”
“Yes, right, the doctor. Have you seen Dr. Wexler? I have searched nearly the whole house and I have been unable to find him.”
