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No, he hadn’t. Samuel scrubbed his palms against his trouser legs, finding them sweaty inside his gloves. “Your Grace, I…” He trailed off. What was there to say? He’d been unable to resist kissing her, while fully under the impression she was the Duchess of Aspen. “I love her.”
“Get out of my house.”
“Your Grace, I must see her.”
“Get. Out. Of. My. House.”
Samuel squared his shoulder. “I cannot let her believe what my brother told the paper.”
Gaze locked on Samuel, the Duke said, “Roberts, fetch my pistol.”
The butler departed with a bow.
“Please, Your Grace, permit me but a few words with Miss Ellsworth. Do me that small courtesy.”
“I’ll do you the courtesy of not shooting you, if you leave before Roberts gets back.”
Samuel took in the retreating form of the butler, then the unyielding expression of a powerful peer who knew Samuel would have kissed his wife.
“May I write to her?”
“No.”
Samuel sucked in a breath, seeking calm.
“May I compose a letter to be given to her should I be executed for my brother’s crimes?”
Ever so slightly, His Grace’s hard countenance eased.
“You may.”
Samuel bowed. “Thank you, Your Grace.” As the butler had not yet returned, Samuel took the liberty of letting himself out.
Chapter Thirteen
Ellie shuffled into her sister’s room, though it seemed rather a lot of effort to answer Lizzy May’s summons.
“You sent for me?”
Lizzy May, seated on a sofa now, though still padded with blankets and cushions, smiled.
“Please, sit with me. Would you like tea?”
Ellie shook her head and crossed to drop into a wide armed chair.
“Well,” Lizzy May said with forced brightness, “I should like tea. I finally have my appetite back.”
Ellie studied the lace doily that peeked out from under a large vase of flowers set in the middle of the low table before them.
Lizzy May rang a bell, summoning her maid, and ordered tea.
“The Season is nearly over. Mother, Roslyn, and Marie will go home soon. I know I only recently arrived, but I thought perhaps I would return to the country. I should like you to come with me. I could use your assistance.”
Ellie shrugged, finding her location of absolutely no importance.
“Ellie,” Lizzy May said sharply. “Look at me.”
Ellie lifted her gaze from the doily.
