Page 36 of A Duke Under Her Spell
Sighing, he moved forward into the room and covered Marybeth’s sleeping form with a blanket. If he would not be able to watch over her himself, he would have to assign the job to another man. He was not pleased to leave her in the hands of another footman who might fall asleep on the job, but he had little choice in the matter. Returning to the doorway, he flagged down a passing footman and gave him strict instructions as to her care.
“When she awakens do everything that she asks of you. Make sure that she has plenty to eat and drink. Keep her safe at all costs.” His firm tone conveyed the seriousness with which he held the charge.
“Yes, Your Grace. I will not let you down.”
“See that you do not.” Squaring his shoulders, the Duke climbed the stairs to meet with his guests.
* * *
Lady Cordelia Weatherton paced nervously back and forth across the Duke’s library floor. She had made little to no progress with the Duke, and her brother was quite cross with her over the failure. He perceived the lack of forward momentum to be entirely her fault and had come to see if he could urge the Duke forward. He had been promised a hunt upon his next visit and had come to collect.
When the Duke walked into the room, he looked tired, almost haggard. Cordelia had never seen him in such a state of exhaustion and disarray. It was quite disconcerting. “My dear Duke, whatever has befallen you?” she asked rushing forward. She grabbed ahold of his arm in concern and he patted it in recognition of her expression of compassion.
“We have yet to apprehend the intruder who frightened you in this very room. It has been a trying series of days.”
“Oh, my,” Cordelia murmured looking about her as if the ghostly figure might pop out from behind a piece of furniture or materialize out from behind a bookshelf.
“Do not be ridiculous, Cordelia. You are perfectly safe with the Duke and I present,” her brother chastised.
“Yes, of course,” she agreed weakly. She nervously took a seat near the window with her back to the wall so that she might see all that occurred within the library’s walls.Ghost or no ghost, I will not be caught unawares again.
“So, what is this I hear about Arkley Hall being haunted?” the Earl asked in a bemused tone. “My sister has been telling me wild tales of ghostly white figures haunting your library bookshelves.”
“Yes, we have been having difficulties with an uninvited guest.” The Duke went on to tell them everything that had transpired since Cordelia’s encounter with the man in the library days before.
“Ghostly figures, hidden rooms, dark tunnels? It all sounds deliciously mysterious to me.” The Earl waved away the information as if it were little more than spilled tea in the garden.
“Yes, until someone gets hurt,” the Duke replied, his face becoming all the wearier as if the mere thought itself had exhausted him.
“Was someone harmed?” Cordelia asked, her heart racing in dread at the thought.
“Yes, one of my groomsmen was hit over the head two nights ago. He has yet to awaken. Miss Wright is tending him as we speak.”
“That is terrible!” she exclaimed, her hand fluttering to her chest in dismay. “Is there anything I can do to be of service?”
“No, but I thank you for the thought. Perhaps you could sit with my mother for a time to keep her company while your brother and I see if we cannot find a deer or two for our supper?”
“Yes, I would be glad to.” She hoped that spending time with the Duke’s mother would make him look at her the way she had seen him looking at Miss Wright. Rising from her chair she walked over and selected a book from the shelves and left the library to go and do as asked.
* * *
Felix watched as Lady Cordelia left the library and tried to be grateful for her presence. It was not her fault that he found her lacking when compared to Marybeth.Anyone, including myself, would be found lacking when compared to a miraculous healer such as Marybeth Wright.
Felix unlocked the gun cabinet, took out two flintlock rifles, then locked it once more. Turning back to his guest, he walked to the door and motioned for the Earl to follow. They left the library and walked out to the stables. As all of his groomsmen were busy guarding the house and castle, the only person remaining was the head stableman, Mr. Norris.
Felix had Mr. Norris saddle a horse for the Earl, while he saddled his own. The last thing that he wished to do was go hunting with all that had transpired within his own household in recent days, but he did his best to muster enthusiasm for the sake of his guest.Perhaps it will rejuvenate the staff if I were to bring home a portion of fresh venison as a gift for all of their hard work.Armed with newfound purpose, Felix headed for the forest.
Chapter 15
“Marybeth,” Oliver’s voice called through the fog of her dream. “Marybeth.”
“Oliver?” she murmured as she attempted to pull herself from sleep. She opened her eyes and looked up to find Oliver awake, wincing in pain. “Oh, Oliver!” She threw her arms around his torso in celebration. “I was so frightened.”
“What happened?” he asked, reaching up to touch the bandage on his head.
“You do not remember?” Marybeth asked, concerned.
“No,” he began to shake his head to the negative but stopped, wincing in pain once more. “The last thing I remember is sitting in that room, alone in the dark.”
