Page 61 of A Duke Under Her Spell
“Weak and tired, but better in other regards,” she answered honestly, her wan smile telling him of the misery she hid beneath.
“We will be home soon,” he promised, rising to kiss her cheek. He walked over to the breakfast tray and taking the hot water provided he mixed her more of the tea she had drank in the night. “Here, drink this to be sure that your fever remains at bay. It would not do for you to suffer more than is necessary.”
“Thank you, my son. Without you, I would good and truly lost.”
“Without Miss Wright, I fear we might be just that.”
“As do I,” the Dowager Duchess admitted, a sadness in her eyes. “You and Mrs. Snow try your very best…” she began.
“But it is not with the same skill or healing touch that is solely possessed of our much-cherished healer.”
“Nay, I fear it is not.”
Felix smiled sadly at his mother. “I swear to do all within my power to bring her back, Mother. The moment we arrive at Arkley Hall, I will set out for her forest croft and bring her back to you.”
“We cannot force the girl against her will.”
“Nay, but I can make her to see reason.”
“I sincerely hope so, my dear, for all of our sakes.”
After breakfast, Felix carried his mother back out to the waiting carriage and climbing in next to her set out for home. Their time in Bath had not gone as he had hoped or planned, and he was anxious to seek out answers to the many questions that plagued his mind and heart. Chief of these being to ascertain the real reason why Marybeth had left them thus.
They rode all day and arrived back at Arkley Hall as dusk fell across the land. Felix carried his mother inside and up the stairs to her bedchamber. “Please do not leave whilst it is dark. Wait until the morn to ascertain what has become of our dear Miss Wright. There is no moon at present, and I do not wish to see you come to harm in the pitch black of the night,” the Dowager Duchess requested.
“I cannot wait, Mother. I must know what has transpired to cause her to leave us thus. After the initial shock faded, along with the anger that came with it, I realized that there is no possible scenario in which Miss Wright would have done so without serious harm or collusion. Something has happened other than our argument at the ball and I plan to find it out. I will be leaving immediately for the croft.”
“I care for the girl as well, Felix, but I cannot lose you. A moonless night is no safe time for travel, as you well know. Your father and I taught you better than to be foolhardy with your own life. It is most likely as she says in the letter and naught more.”
“I must seek her out, foolhardy or nay.”
The Dowager Duchess shook her head in dismay, but there was nothing she could do to stop him. “Please return to me safe, with both life and limb intact.”
“I will do my utmost; of that you can be certain.” He kissed his mother farewell and left her in the capable hands of the Arkley Hall household staff.
The butler, Mr. Wheatly, met him in the hall. “How may I be of service, Your Grace? You have returned to us much sooner than expected. Was something amiss in Bath? I see that Miss Wright has not returned with you. Is she unwell? Has something become her?” he asked in concern.
“She has left us, Mr. Wheatly, with nary a suitable explanation. I am off to ascertain her whereabouts and to bring her back safely here to Arkley Hall where she belongs. How is Oliver Singer? Is he improved?”
“Slowly, but surely, Your Grace. He has been moved to his own bed. Oliver is a strong lad. In time I am quite certain that he will return to his former self.” The butler’s brow wrinkled in question. “If I may say so, Your Grace, it seems quite unlike Miss Wright to leave a patient thus. I cannot imagine she would willingly leave the Dowager Duchess in such a state.”
“Yes, I have thought much the same myself, Mr. Wheatly. I assume that you have not seen her here?”
“Nay, she has not returned to Arkley Hall, Your Grace. I cannot imagine her leaving Oliver without looking in upon him, but she has not done so to my knowledge.”
“Let us go and ask him.” Felix and Mr. Wheatly walked together to Oliver’s room in the servants’ quarters. They found the wounded groom being tended to hand and foot by the young kitchen maid, Betty. The girl blushed and curtsied upon seeing the Duke. She had been startled by his presence when he had entered.
“Your Grace,” she murmured lowering her eyes to the floor.
“Your Grace,” Oliver greeted, tugging on his forelock in replacement of a bow. “What can I do to be of service?”
“Naught but rest, Oliver. I simply came to speak with you about Miss Wright.”
Oliver looked past him in the doorway to search for his friend. “Marybeth? Where is she? Is she well?” His face crease in concern as he studied the look on Felix’s face. Felix wondered if the misery he felt was as evident on the outside as it was so keenly felt on the inside.
“She has left us,” Felix answered handing Oliver the note that Marybeth had left him.
Oliver scanned the page, then looked up at Felix. “I do not know what has transpired between you, but I know Marybeth. She would not leave the Dowager Duchess before having completed her treatment. She made an agreement with you and she never breaks her agreements. Once she has given word to do a thing, she does it and naught but God himself could keep her from it. I fear something sinister lies behind the creation of this letter.”
