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“Eleanor shall see to it,” the duchess said.
“Next, I shall rescue you,” Verity said rather sternly. “I have been the damsel in distress twice now.”
“Twice?” The duchess gasped, not aware.
“Yes. I fell from a horse in London, and he came to my aid then too. Any more accidents, and I shall seem as though I belong in a medieval folktale.” Her brown eyes shifted to me. “Next time, I shall be your heroine, I promise.”
“Can we not avoid a ‘next time’ altogether?” I asked, genuinely afraid of any further dramas unfolding. Reaching into my pocket, I pulled out the necklace for her once more. “I fear this piece of jewelry has seen far too much in this life as it is.”
She gasped and sat up. “I worried I lost it!”
“It led me to you,” I said, wishing to put it on her myself, but instead I put it in her hand carefully.
Knock. Knock.
“Enter,” the duchess said.
“Your Grace, the duke would like to see Dr. Darrington in his study,” the butler said.
“Why?” Verity sat up once more. I tapped her leg to get her attention, and when she looked at me, I shook my head.
“I shall be back. Your Grace, will you please see to it that the towel is as cold as possible?”
“Yes, of course,” the duchess said to me.
Rising from the bed, I moved to the door, where the older man stood with no emotion on his face. We walked in silence and it was far too fast for me to gather my thoughts before we arrived at the door. He knocked once, then waited.
“Enter.”
“Your Grace, Dr. Darrington is here.”
“Show him in.”
The butler stepped aside, gesturing for me to proceed, and when I entered the room, the door closed behind me. The duke sat behind his desk, leaning back into the chair, his eyes closed. He said not a word, so I spoke first.
“If you wish to throw me out all I ask is that you do so after she is well again,” I said. He still did not open his eyes, so I stood in silence.
It felt as though minutes had passed before he finally spoke.
“How much is your inheritance?”
“Fifty thousand pounds.”
“Is it guaranteed in your name?”
“Yes, and already transferred.”
His eyes opened, and he sat up, looking at me. “How much land do you own?”
“One hundred acres, including a manor house called Glassden Hall—also guaranteed—as well as a farm, which brings in further income.”
“Where is it?”
“Cheshire.”
“Is that not where Wentwood House is located?”
I nodded. “Yes, it is.”
“Then it is safe to assume the one hundred acres given to you were taken from that estate.”
“Yes, it was.”
“Do you own any other land or property? In London?”
“No.”
“But have you not lived there all this time?”
“My grandfather and uncle own a home. But after my uncle married and had children, it became rather cramped, so I sought long-term lodgings in an inn.”
“You did not think to purchase a home there?”
“It made little sense for me to have one only for myself, and I spent much of my time visiting patients.”
He took a deep breath and held his hands together. “One hundred acres was taken from your brother’s future inheritance; he did not care?”
“He is but a boy. I’m not sure he knows.”
“And when he grows to be a man?”
“I do not believe he will mind, but I won’t know until he is older.”
“What of his mother? Does she mind? What is your relationship with her?”
“There is no relationship—no, that is untrue. I believe there to be no bad feeling between her and me. She has done much for me already,” I answered.
“How so?”
I did not wish to lie to him any more than I had to. So, I told him the truth, of how we were caught in London and why I had left there before coming to Everely. He rose to his feet and moved around his desk.
“How could you be so reckless?” He gasped. “You risked her reputation time and time again. Both of you have gone beyond the realm of decency and propriety.”
“I will not deny it.” And if he knew how much more beyond the realm of decency he would have shot me.
“Was this all to force my hand? To make it so difficult to salvage the name of my sister that I would be compelled to accept you?”
“With all due respect, Your Grace, you did not come to mind in those moments.” Nothing and no one else did.
He inhaled through his nose, and dropped his hand once more. “My sister is too precious to me, Dr. Darrington. Long before I cared for anyone else, it was merely the two of us seeking to survive in this house, in this family. As you may have noticed, we have had our share of…tragedy. I am unsure if she remembers, but long ago, I promised her that I would ensure her happiness. She tells me she is in love with you and believes you to love her as well. Should I accept you, I am not sure she will have that happiness, for love is important, but so is acceptance, especially in society.”
