Page 14 of A Duke Under Her Spell
“I am no more pleased about the situation than you are, Sister, but we must play the cards that we are dealt.”
Her brother’s reference to gambling caused her anger to flare. “We would not be in this state if Father had not gambled away the family fortunes.”
“Yes, but he did, and we are left to pick up the pieces. We cannot afford failure.”
“I do not appreciate being sold as chattel in order to pay off Father’s gambling debts,” she huffed. “It is uncivilized behavior at best.”
“And I do not appreciate my sister challenging my authority in my own home,” he glared at her over the top of his fingers.
“My apologies, Brother.” Cordelia quickly humbled herself.
“Win the Duke’s heart and all shall be forgiven.”
“The witch must go,” Cordelia insisted. “As long as she is there, the Duke’s attentions will be divided.”
“Then we will just have to make him see reason, but you know as well as I that he will not send her away as long as she stands a chance at healing the Dowager Duchess. He made his sentiments quite clear during our visit.”
“He must be made to see the threat to his reputation.”
“And how do you propose to accomplish such a task?”
“The only way that that will happen is if others know of his decision to bring her into his household. Such knowledge could get him censored fromle bon ton.Would that not be enough for any man to change his ways?”
“I am not certain that even public censure would cause him to change course. The Duke is a man of principle, family above all else. He would sooner choose ruin than let his mother die. No, the only way that he will see reason is if the healer’s remedies do not work.”
“What are you proposing, Brother?”
“I propose we do nothing and wait until the healer’s remedies fail of their own accord, then when the Dowager Duchess’s health does not improve, we will be there to console the Duke and to urge him to preserve what is left of his reputation.”
Cordelia thought over her brother’s plan. “And you are certain that she will indeed fail?”
“Aren’t you? Do you honestly believe that a handful of weeds will provide a cure?”
“No,” Cordelia shook her head in the negative.
“Well then…”
Cordelia sighed. “Wait and be patient for the proper time.”
“Precisely.”
“And how am I to keep his attentions until then?”
“Be creative. You are a beautiful noble woman. Surely you have means by which to make a man love you?”
“I did have a man who loved me, but you chased him away.”
“For your own good, Cordelia. Why should you pledge yourself to a lowly baronet when you could be a Duchess?”
“At least as a baroness, I would have been happy.”
“Happiness, my dear sister, is fleeting. A title is forever.”
* * *
Marybeth sat at the Dowager Duchess’s bedside, monitoring her condition. The noble lady’s fever had spiked and left her in a state of delirium. Marybeth had brewed another batch of white willow bark tea and used cooling cloths to bring her temperature down. The Duchess now slept in a relative state of comfort, but Marybeth hesitated to leave her side for fear that the fever might return.
The Duke entered his face drawn with worry. “The maid just informed me of Mother’s condition. How is she?” He had been riding and had been unaware of the Dowager Duchess’s state.
