Ducal Encounters 02 - With the Duke's Approval by Wendy Soliman Page A

soothing. A voice that haunted her dreams. It sounded like Lord Romsey, and smelt like him too. A rich, spicy masculine aroma she would always associate with the reserved, highly intelligent, sophisticated, and suave gentleman who so fascinated her. He had a surprisingly solid chest, or at least the version of him who was carrying up the steps to heaven did. She snuggled more closely against it, clutching the lapels of a coat that felt surprisingly real.
    Damnation, he had put her down. Why did good dreams always end too soon and the bad ones endure? Female hands peeled away her clothing. A warm shift and warmer nightgown were pulled over her head. Then she heard her mother’s gentle voice. Surely, she wasn’t in heaven, too? Her eyes flew open. The familiar surroundings of her chamber at Sheridan House came into view, as did the even more comforting sight of her mother’s face.
    “Oh, my dear. How do you feel?” the duchess asked. “You gave us all such a fright. The boys were beside themselves. So too was Lord Romsey. No one knew where to look for you, or who had taken you.”
    “I feel chilled to the bone still, but not as badly as before,” Anna replied, her voice weak and trembling. “But I am very glad to be home.”
    Mama hugged her. “I don’t know how I would have borne it if I had lost you, my love.”
    Anna sniffed, feeling tears flood her eyes and emotion squeeze her heart. “I’m not going anywhere.”
    “So you are not. Now, let Fanny brush your hair, and then you can sleep. I shall be here with you, and when you wake you will feel much better.”
    Anna groaned with pleasure when she felt a brush being pulled through her tangled hair. Nimble fingers braided it and tied it off with a ribbon.
    “Come on, Anna.” Mama took her arm. “Into bed with you.”
    Anna groaned again as she slid between blessedly warm cotton sheets.
    “Drink this, my dear. The doctor said it would help you sleep.”
    Too weary to put up objections, Anna obediently drank down the concoction. Every bone in her body ached, and she still wasn’t warm enough. Even so, she immediately felt drowsy, which surprised her. She had imagined she would be plagued by visions of her ordeal, which would prevent her from sleeping. As it was, she fell asleep almost as soon as her head hit the pillows.
    ***
    When Anna woke, she was unaware of how long she had slept. The curtains were closed, but she sensed it was night time. Fanny was seated beside the bed, sewing. She smiled when she realised Anna was awake.
    “How do you feel, my lady?” she asked. “We were that worried about you. The whole house was in uproar.”
    “I’m hungry, and in need of a bath.”
    Fanny jumped up, beaming. “Both of those things can be easily arranged.”
    “What time is it?”
    “Eight in the evening, my lady.”
    “Where are my brothers?”
    “Downstairs in the drawing room with Lord Romsey and Lady St. John. They will be pleased to know you’re awake.”
    “Don’t tell them yet, Fanny. I want to eat, bath, and dress. Then I shall go down, and they will be able to see me for myself.”
    “Oh, my lady, do you think that’s wise?”
    “I have no intention of being interviewed in my bedroom, Fanny.”
    Anna felt weak, yet determined. All the things she thought she had dreamed were most likely true. It was Lord Romsey who had carried her up the stairs. She had a vague notion it was he who fixed her shoulder also. She rotated it now as she waited for Fanny to return and found it hardly hurt at all. He really was the most remarkable man, full of surprises. But he would not be permitted to visit her in her bedroom, and she very badly wanted to see him. Even Zach, usually the most level-headed of men, couldn’t be trusted to resolve this matter because he would be as angry as her others brothers about what had happened to her. It needed a cool, intelligent head to decide what ought to be done, especially if foreigners were involved. That was definitely