Page 64 of The Curious Life of the Unfortunate Duchess
Catherine appeared with Beatrice in tow.
“Beatrice, send for Herbert.”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
“Catherine, you must repeat to me with every detail you can about the highwaymen,” Leonard told her, gesturing for her to sit as he, too, moved toward his chair.
“I have already told you all that I know, Leo. I saw very little of them in the dark, behind their disguises. I had drunk some champagne and—”
“I do not wish to hear your excuses,” Leonard interjected, dipping the nib of his pen into a bottle of ink. “I wish for you to recall what you will.”
Catherine blinked and slowly sank into the chair across from him.
“I do not see how this helps,” she told him quietly.
“I concur!” Percival piped in. “We have been over this several times and it will only distress Lady Catherine further.”
“I am certain that Catherine will endure a few more moments of distress when she realizes that it does not hold a candle to the fear Elizabeth is experiencing. What say you, Catherine?”
His sister nodded in agreement, her face contorting in anguish as she thought about Elizabeth alone and afraid.
“If you believe it will help in some way—”
“Your Grace?” Herbert appeared in the doorway, looking about the room with nervous eyes. “You summoned me?”
“Yes, Herbert. I require you to do whatever is necessary to access fifty thousand pounds, as quickly as possible.”
The consternation on the barrister’s face was apparent but before he could sprout forth a protest, Leonard continued.
“I do not need to hear of your concerns. Nor do I wish to be told of the difficulties. I would ask that you do as ordered. Time is of the essence. I cannot stress that enough. Am I clear?”
Herbert, who had yet to understand the reason behind such a ludicrous request, simply clamped his mouth closed and nodded slowly.
“As you wish, Your Grace,” he managed to mumble, although how, Leonard could not guess. His mouth was nothing more than a nearly invisible line.
“You are dismissed.”
The Duke turned his attention back to his sister.
“Now,” he said. “Tell me again what happened last night and leave out not one detail.”
Catherine sighed and nodded.
“I will see to Frances,” David muttered. “Excuse me.”
Leonard watched the boy leave the room, a pang of sadness touching him. It was a huge burden upon his small shoulders, tending to his sister who was no longer sedated but in such a state that she would not leave her room.
He turned his head slightly toward the Viscount who remained rooted in place.
“Lord Gordon, you may consider getting proper rest. It has been a harrowing day and you will need all your strength.”
“Indeed…”
Leonard met his gaze expectantly, sensing that the man wished to say more.
“Is there an issue, Lord Gordon?”
“I only wanted to express my gratitude for your generosity, Your Grace. I swear, it will not be forgotten.”
