Page 48 of The Trouble With Her Duke
“We will talk, but we should take some time to think about things, first. I complicated things with my presence, but I couldn’t help myself,” he said. “I’ll be leaving tomorrow and will be gone for a few days. I promise…we will get this sorted out, Lydia.”
Lydia was transfixed on the movement of his lips as he spoke, thinking about how soft and warm they had been on hers. Her thoughts had been in turmoil since this morning. She loved this job and the children, but she wondered if there was any possibility she and the duke could have a future together. “I will wait. I promise.”
Damon’s an honorable man, but would he even consider marriage…to a governess? How had she allowed her life to become so complicated?
“I don’t feel so good, Father,” Michael complained when they reached his room. “My stomach hurts.”
“When did you first start feeling unwell?” he asked, leaning over to tuck his son in bed.
“I’m not sure,” Michael said. “I felt good when we were learning archery.”
Rosie sniffed his face, then whimpered and covered her head with her paws.
“Don’t worry. I’ll feed you, Rosie,” Mandy said. “My brother has a belly ache.”
“I think she’s worried about Michael,” Lydia said, pointing to Rosie, who’d jumped on the foot of the bed and curled up on Michael’s feet.
Damon stood, allowing Lydia to sit next to Michael. She pressed the back of her hand to his head. “He’s warm. My understanding is that’s a sign his body is fighting to recover. Mandy, can you ask Annabelle to come in here?”
“Yes, Miss Hammond,” she said, running across the hall.
“Do you think it’s anything serious?” Damon asked, worried.
“I just left my family in London. While I was there, we assisted with several minor ailments—but they subsided quickly. Let’s not panic,” she whispered to Damon’s ears alone. His stomach did a tiny flip at the feel of her warm breath against his face.
“Michael ate a few more lemon biscuits than usual and drank a good bit of lemonade. Perhaps it’s a sour stomach,” she offered.
As if on cue, Michael sat up. “Father, I don’t feel so well.”
“Son, you look ghastly.” He gently caressed his son’s shoulders, unsure of what to do.
Quickly, Lydia grabbed the blanket on the end of the child’s bed, dumping Rosie off, and pushed past Damon. Holding it beneath Michael’s mouth, she told him to lean over it—which he did, throwing up everything in his stomach.
“How did you know?” Damon mouthed.
“I’ve nephews and nieces,” Lydia returned, smiling. “I think this could be the culprit.” She nodded at the blanket full of biscuit pieces.
“I think Rosie knew, too, Father. She sniffed my face, then covered hers,” Michael said, making everyone laugh.
“Let’s hope that’s all. We’ll send for Dr. Baker.”
Annabelle returned with Mandy.
“Phew! Michael. Did you do that?” his sister said, taking his hand.
Weakly, Michael managed a smile. “Yes. I’m sorry.”
“You didn’t eat a frog when we weren’t looking, did you? It smells like it!” she exclaimed, making everyone laugh.
“Annabelle, have Jenkins send for Dr. Baker,” Damon said.
“And could you ask the cook to send up bread and broth? No butter,” Lydia said. “Let’s see if he can eat a little broth. It’ll do him good.”
Annabelle nodded and left.
“Your Grace, I’ll stay with him and read him a book,” Lydia offered. “You and Mandy could go down for supper and send Rosie’s food up here. I don’t think she’ll leave him.”
He chuckled. “If I can summon an appetite. We’ll return shortly. The doctor should be here soon. Thank you, Miss Hammond.” Damon gave Lydia a lingering look, as he closed the door to the room. What have I done? She was what the children needed. I’m not sorry, but am I ready to commit? After Aimee’s death, he had sworn he’d never marry again. But that was before a spirited governess with a pair of lavender eyes entered his life.
