Page 61 of A Gamble with the Rakish Duke
Oliver’s presence had a strong effect on her. Whenever he was at home, she wanted to be close to him. Even if it was simply to hear him breathing. To watch him sleep. Whenever he was away, the ticking of the grandfather clock would grow louder, and she would feel the urge to spin its hands faster so that he could be home.
But today was different. Alexandra had to see John one last time, hopefully not twice more.
“Your Grace, I can do it quickly and carefully. I know this errand is important to you.”
“And for that, I am thankful, Ellen. But today, I must face my problems by myself,” Alexandra said gravely.
Ellen nodded quietly, understanding what her mistress needed. She rushed upstairs, her feet barely making a noise.
It was then that Alexandra realized that even though Ellen did not seem to agree with her plans, she would still follow. The fact that the girl was making sure nobody else heard them was enough proof.
“Be careful, Your Grace. I would have gladly taken on the task. Whatever you may be dealing with, there are some men out there who may wish you harm. I know you have your reasons, but it would be much better to wait for the Duke,” Ellen advised while helping her mistress into her cloak. She made sure to cover her properly.
“You are right, Ellen. I would be safer with the Duke. However, I don’t want to involve him in this mess. Things will only get worse.”
They locked gazes, a silent conversation passing between them. Alexandra could hear what her mind was thinking better than if she had actually said something. Her heart was pounding in her ears.
With coin for the coachman, she set off to John Prescott’s house. They were quick enough so that they could get back before Oliver came home, but not too fast that they would draw attention.
In John’s lodgings, she was like a storm—all emotions and fast talk. Alexandra did not like this side of herself.
“Your Grace, I thought you won’t deliver the compositions yourself. Your maid had been doing a wonderful job.”
John looked just as flustered, walking around his parlor as if he was about to be attacked by an army. Or arrested.
“I need a great deal of money. Do you think this piece could fetch the equivalent of… well, the annual income of a family of four living in the village?” she asked breathlessly, clutching her composition to her chest.
Suddenly, there was a bang at the back of John’s house. The music master himself turned his head toward the noise. He heard it, too.
“What was that?”
“Nothing,” John said evenly.
However, his eyes looked wild, and his arms were raised, his palm facing outward as if in surrender. As if he had been caught.
“Was somebody here?” Alexandra asked.
Her thoughts were racing. Who could it be? What if he was with a friend—the one he was with at the opera? Was the man a member of theton, and would he spill their secret?
“There’s nobody here but us, Your Grace,” John replied through gritted teeth.
For the first time, Alexandra found herself stepping back from him. She had never been afraid of John Prescott, her former music teacher. However, there was something about him this morning—he looked like a trapped animal.
“If you’re certain.”
Her heart was in her throat, and she thought she might faint. She reminded herself that it wasn’t ideal. She didn’t want John to send for a physician to examine her in his home.
Breathe, she told herself. Breathe.
“I am, Your Grace. Now, please let me have a look at your composition,” he urged, reaching for the sheets encased in leather.
“Here it is,” she said meekly, handing him her latest masterpiece. She tried not to let her hand tremble.
For some reason, her view of Prescott had changed. It was a strange thought. But she shook it off, reminding herself that he had several chances to hurt her but he never did.
Silence fell over them as he perused her new composition. Alexandra could hear her blood roaring in her ears as she waited with bated breath for his assessment.
When he took a deep breath and looked at her, she clutched the back of the wooden chair to her right. She might have swayed a little, but she kept her eyes on him.
