Page 17 of The Ambiguous Enigma of the Hunted Lady
She took spoonful after spoonful until, growing frustrated at her rate of consumption, she lifted the bowl despite the pain in her ribs and drank down the whole portion.
She did not spill a drop, as she had learned from a very young age not to waste food. When she lay back again against the pillow, she was full of rich warmth, glowing with that temporary happiness that follows such a satiation.
This is not so bad at all. If she had to lay low and recover somewhere, this catered mansion was not the worst place for it. She could hear heavy footsteps coming down the hall.It must be him.
Leah reminded herself that her aim was to extract passage across the channel from him, and she began to format her thoughts correctly. She knew how to work a man like him. He was the thrill-seeking type, and she knew all about that.
“Miss Benson?” he called from beyond the door. “May I enter?”
“Of course,” Leah answered softly. The door opened and as the handle twisted, Leah saw that it was made of silver.They must polish it daily.
This set off a bit of a chain reaction of thought, and Leah began to balk mentally at the amount of upkeep these antiques required.What a life that is, to polish silver doorknobs.
“Ah, Miss Benson.” the Duke said, clasping his hands together. “I am so glad to see you wake.”
“Leah,” Leah corrected him for a fourth time. “and that's what she said.” she nodded to Mrs. Redford who had entered behind the Duke.
“Oh good, you have eaten it.” the housekeeper exclaimed, retrieving the serving tray. “Did you like it?”
“It was very good.” Leah tried to make a kind expression, but her left eye remained bruised and the attempt failed somewhat.
“Some more for you?” Mrs. Redford pitched up her voice a bit, and Leah was gladdened by her light-hearted personality. It was a special kind of comfort.
“If I may.”
“I believe the kitchen has made some ten gallons of it.” the Duke chimed in. “You should feel free to eat as much as you please.”
“Thank you.”
“Your Grace.” Mrs. Redford added.
“Right, of course.” Leah shook her head.
“It is quite alright, Mrs. Redford.” the Duke held up his hand. “Go and find her some more of the chowder.”
“Right away, Your Grace.” the housekeeper bowed her head and made her way out of the door.
“So,” the Duke began after a brief pause of silence. “how are you?”
“Well enough, though I cannot seem to sit up without being in pain.”
“Yes, well, you have broken some ribs, I believe.” the Duke drew up the stool Mrs. Redford has sat on earlier. “I have sent for my friend, Dr. Fowler, from London to attend your recovery.”
“No,” Leah answered coldly. “no doctors.”
“Dr. Fowler is a friend.” the Duke said, taken aback. “He has known my family for a great number of years.”
“No doctors.” Leah insisted. “I won't let him near me.”
“What is this nonsense?” the Duke protested, sitting further upright. “You must not fall prey to the superstitions of the common folk. Doctors are men of medical science. They do a great deal of good for our world, not evil as the stories would have you believe.”
“The superstitions of the common folk.” Leah repeated in a dry tone, angling her eyes towards him.
“No, I did not mean–” the Duke blundered. “Oh, I feel foolish.” He hung his head a bit, bouncing his knee.
“It is fine.” Leah conceded, rolling her eyes. “I am not offended. But I ask you, have you ever been to medical school?”
“Well, no, I took the standard route.”
