Page 67 of Three Rules to Wed a Duke

And he’s shunned me because he thinks I’ve harmed the person he’s cared for practically all his life, she thought, her earlier guilt growing.If only I’d listened to those who tried to warn me!

A knock at the door caused all three of the women to jump. Frances and Abigail looked at each other, knowing it could only be one person. They sat perplexed as to what to do until someone called out from the other side of the door.

“Abigail? Are you up?” Anthony’s muffled voice asked.

CHAPTER 26

Abigail’s eyes went wide with worry as she met Frances’ stricken expression. Anthony had come up! He would find her here and be furious, perhaps enough to throw her out of the house for good.

“What do we do?” Abigail whispered frantically, looking from Frances to Miss O’Reilly for help.

“I must hide,” Frances whispered. “What about the wardrobes?”

“No, they’re too full. Anthony sends more gifts almost every week. I can hardly close the doors as it is. Behind the curtain perhaps?”

“I fear he shall see my slippers or I shall knock into it and give myself away. What if he’s staring right at me and I cannot know it?” Frances whispered back.

“Abigail? Is everything all right?” Anthony cried through the door.

“Yes, I’m fine! One moment please, brother!” she called back. Abigail looked around the room as Frances sought a place to hide. Her frantic whisper sent Frances scurrying. “Quickly! Under the bed!”

Frances nodded and hurried across the room. She dropped down to the floor and scrambled beneath the large bed, wedging herself in tightly and arranging the bed covers so they hung down low enough to conceal her. She saw a new pair of feet directly in front of her and realized that Miss O’Reilly was helping to hide her.

“Abigail? Is everything all right?” Anthony said loudly, his words still muted by the heavy door.

“Yes! Everything’s fine! Miss O’Reilly is helping me finish dressing. It’ll be only a minute longer!” Abigail cried.

“I am happy to return later if you’re—”

“No! It’s fine! Come in now,” the girl called out, trying to keep from panting.

Frances heard the door open and she held her breath. From her vantage point, she could watch Anthony’s shoes crossing the room, stopping at the table where Abigail still sat.

“Good morning, little sister. How are you feeling today?” Anthony asked with a rich warmth to his voice that Frances had never heard.

“I’m well, Anthony. It’s always a good day when I see you,” she replied sweetly. “Tell me all the news from downstairs.”

“As always,” he replied before informing her of mundane things like what the new cook had prepared for his dinner and which horse he rode yesterday while seeing to his errands.

“And your wife? Is she getting along well here at Cadmoor House?” Abigail asked innocently.

There was a thunderous pause. It was brief but heavy. To anyone who was unaware of the tension in the house, it would have gone unnoticed. But Frances knew all too well that there was deep meaning behind Anthony’s hesitation.

“I think so,” he said quickly.

“Miss O’Reilly, could I trouble you to bring up some tea for us?” Abigail asked. Frances heard the door open and close, signaling the nurse’s departure. Abigail spoke to Anthony in earnest this time. “Anthony, you never tell me anything of the new duchess. Please, I long to know what she’s like.”

Frances heard Anthony’s audible sigh. She couldn’t see his face, but she could well imagine his stone-faced expression. She sawhis feet shift on the floor in front of his chair, a nervous sort of jig that seemed like he was stalling while seeking the right words.

“She’s perfect, Abigail.”

Frances furrowed her brow, turning slightly in order to try to see him. It was no use, but it didn’t matter. Everything about his voice was different now, giving her as much insight as if she was staring directly into his eyes.

“How is she perfect?” Abigail asked in a dreamy way that girls whose thoughts are consumed with love tend to do.

“I’ve told you before how beautiful she is,” he began, shocking Frances entirely. “But she’s smart and she’s very fierce, the sort of young lady who would take up a sword and ride into battle to protect someone she loves.”

Abigail giggled, and even Frances suppressed her amusement.

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