coach is made ready. Lady Mallory, perhaps you would see me to my room?”
“Of course, ma’am. And not to worry, a servant has been dispatched for my brother. He should be here anytime.”
Claire curved her arms close around her body as she watched Mallory lead Lady Edgewater from the room. After giving herself a little inward shake, she went to find pen and paper.
Two hours later, amid hugs and a few tears, Claire watched her mother climb into the duke’s fastest coach. With a thunk of the door and a snap of a whip, the vehicle set off, bowling along Grosvenor Square before disappearing into the crush of afternoon traffic.
As Claire turned to go inside, she found Edward at her side. His handsome features were steady and reassuring.
“She’ll be fine,” he told her. “Broken limbs can be very serious if not attended to properly, but you are not to worry. I have asked our family physician to see to Nan.”
She tipped her head back to meet his gaze. “‘See to her’? What do you mean?”
“Dr. Cole is one of the finest doctors in the country. At my request, he is traveling to Nottinghamshire to examine your sister and make sure she is receiving the very best of care. With his aid, she’ll be well again in no time at all, you shall see.”
Her lips parted with surprise. “Your Grace, I do not know what to say. How extraordinarily thoughtful. Thank you.”
He waved off her expression of gratitude as the two of them ascended the front steps and re-entered the town house. “No thanks are needed. It is no more than I would do for any other member of my family and since Nan is to be my sister, then it seems only right she receive the same care I would give one of my own siblings.”
Crossing the wide entrance hall, she walked beside him toward the main staircase. “Still, it is most generous of you,” she said. “I find I am in your debt.”
In his debt… which was the very last thing she wished to be. Why did he have to be so kind? And why did she have to like him, despite her best intentions not to? Hating him would make everything so much easier, would let her draw the battle lines in crisp hues of black and white, instead of muddied shades of indeterminate grey.
But wasn’t that the heart of the problem? If she were indifferent, perhaps the thought of this marriage would not trouble her so. If it were merely a matter of convenience and duty, as it was for him, maybe she could make do, even be content. Was she wrong to feel this way when everyone else wanted them to wed? Was she being a fool for wanting to toss aside a life of comfort and luxury, with an admittedly good and honorable man, just because he didn’t—couldn’t—love her?
She turned toward him, unsure of her next words, when a reedy, bespectacled young man in a precisely tailored coat and trousers hurried up to the duke.
“Your Grace,” his secretary said, “If I might intrude, perhaps you could spare a few minutes. There are several matters of a rather urgent nature still requiring resolution. I had hoped we would be able to finish them this afternoon in time to catch the last post.”
Edward’s brows drew together. “Yes, of course, I shall be along in a moment, Hughes.” Pausing, he gazed back at Claire. “Is there anything else you require at present? I have sent word ’round to my cousin Wilhelmina, asking her to attend you while your mother is away. She has agreed and should arrive no later than dinnertime. In the meanwhile, will you be all right?”
Claire’s shoulders straightened, chilled by Edward’s abrupt formality. “I shall be quite well. Pray do not trouble yourself further on my behalf.”
With another frown, he gave an absent nod. Turning, he fell into conversation with his secretary and strode away, the younger man walking quickly at his side, business matters pouring from his lips.
Forgotten already , she thought. I suppose I am no more important than any other item in his very long list of
“Of course, ma’am. And not to worry, a servant has been dispatched for my brother. He should be here anytime.”
Claire curved her arms close around her body as she watched Mallory lead Lady Edgewater from the room. After giving herself a little inward shake, she went to find pen and paper.
Two hours later, amid hugs and a few tears, Claire watched her mother climb into the duke’s fastest coach. With a thunk of the door and a snap of a whip, the vehicle set off, bowling along Grosvenor Square before disappearing into the crush of afternoon traffic.
As Claire turned to go inside, she found Edward at her side. His handsome features were steady and reassuring.
“She’ll be fine,” he told her. “Broken limbs can be very serious if not attended to properly, but you are not to worry. I have asked our family physician to see to Nan.”
She tipped her head back to meet his gaze. “‘See to her’? What do you mean?”
“Dr. Cole is one of the finest doctors in the country. At my request, he is traveling to Nottinghamshire to examine your sister and make sure she is receiving the very best of care. With his aid, she’ll be well again in no time at all, you shall see.”
Her lips parted with surprise. “Your Grace, I do not know what to say. How extraordinarily thoughtful. Thank you.”
He waved off her expression of gratitude as the two of them ascended the front steps and re-entered the town house. “No thanks are needed. It is no more than I would do for any other member of my family and since Nan is to be my sister, then it seems only right she receive the same care I would give one of my own siblings.”
Crossing the wide entrance hall, she walked beside him toward the main staircase. “Still, it is most generous of you,” she said. “I find I am in your debt.”
In his debt… which was the very last thing she wished to be. Why did he have to be so kind? And why did she have to like him, despite her best intentions not to? Hating him would make everything so much easier, would let her draw the battle lines in crisp hues of black and white, instead of muddied shades of indeterminate grey.
But wasn’t that the heart of the problem? If she were indifferent, perhaps the thought of this marriage would not trouble her so. If it were merely a matter of convenience and duty, as it was for him, maybe she could make do, even be content. Was she wrong to feel this way when everyone else wanted them to wed? Was she being a fool for wanting to toss aside a life of comfort and luxury, with an admittedly good and honorable man, just because he didn’t—couldn’t—love her?
She turned toward him, unsure of her next words, when a reedy, bespectacled young man in a precisely tailored coat and trousers hurried up to the duke.
“Your Grace,” his secretary said, “If I might intrude, perhaps you could spare a few minutes. There are several matters of a rather urgent nature still requiring resolution. I had hoped we would be able to finish them this afternoon in time to catch the last post.”
Edward’s brows drew together. “Yes, of course, I shall be along in a moment, Hughes.” Pausing, he gazed back at Claire. “Is there anything else you require at present? I have sent word ’round to my cousin Wilhelmina, asking her to attend you while your mother is away. She has agreed and should arrive no later than dinnertime. In the meanwhile, will you be all right?”
Claire’s shoulders straightened, chilled by Edward’s abrupt formality. “I shall be quite well. Pray do not trouble yourself further on my behalf.”
With another frown, he gave an absent nod. Turning, he fell into conversation with his secretary and strode away, the younger man walking quickly at his side, business matters pouring from his lips.
Forgotten already , she thought. I suppose I am no more important than any other item in his very long list of
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