Page 118 of A Bluestocking for the Wicked Duke
The Duchess and Regina neared from the other side of the bed and looked over the Duke. The Duke’s mouth was quivering, he wanted to speak. William leaned over his father and placed his ear over his mouth.
“D,d, ddd, don’t”
William raised his head and looked at Joane. He turned his head to face his mother and sister who was excitedly waiting for him to tell them what the Duke was saying.
“It’s still gibberish but he’s trying to say something,” William said.
William bent again, almost falling over his father in his anxiety.
“Don’t f, ffff, fight.”
William raised his head. He looked at Joane and shook his head. Joane just stared at him.
“What did he say?” his mother and sister asked in loud voices.
William shook his head.
“I didn’t hear him. He’s not yet making sense,” he lied.
William walked out of the room, Joane followed him immediately. She turned back to greet the Duchess again before closing the door behind her.
“I’m outside with William ma’am,” she said.
The Duchess didn’t reply. She was bent over her husband’s mouth, trying to hear what he had to say. William looked forward again and walked away from the room as fast as possible. Joane tugged at him from behind but he didn’t stop till he got to the sitting room.
“What did he say, William?” Joane asked him.
William shook his head. He was about speaking when Lord James came into the room. William looked into his friend’s eyes.
“I need to get to the necessary, William. Could you give me directions?” Joane asked.
Lord James gestured to her and walked out of the open door, Joane followed him. William was confused and sat down on the chair. He felt lightheaded.
How did father know I was to contest in another duel?
“What is it, William?” Lord James asked him as he stepped into the room. “And don’t tell me nothing, it is written all over your face,”
William shook his head.
“Father asked me not to fight.”
Lord James sat down abruptly beside William.
“He did what? I thought he was still ill,” Lord James replied.
“He is,” William commented. “He was trying to say something so I leaned closer.”
Lord James shook his head.
“This was just so simple when you were hatching the plan to use her as method to vengeance,” Lord James commented.
William shook his head.
“Now, so many problems have arisen,” William said.
“So what will you do now?” Lord James asked.
“I will need to change my plans,” William said.
