Page 18 of A Duke Under Her Spell
“Perhaps.”
When they entered the room, they found Marybeth and the Dowager Duchess conversing in low tones. The smile immediately left Lady Cordelia’s face when she saw Marybeth. Felix knew that she disapproved of the healer, viewing her as a witch of sorts, but he hoped that in time she would grow accustomed to Marybeth’s presence. “How are you feeling, Mother?”
“Better than before. Miss Wright is a worker of miracles.” The Dowager Duchess smiled warmly at each person in turn. “Lady Cordelia, what a pleasant surprise to see you again.”
“Yes, His Grace and I were just having tea, but the real reason I came calling today was to see if you might be interested in a bit of company from time to time, reading and such?”
“That sounds lovely, my dear.”
“I am glad you approve. Shall I start today?”
“Yes, of course. That would be wonderful.”
“Excellent. Do you have a selection in mind, or shall I go down to the library and choose something for us?”
“Surprise me,” the Dowager Duchess answered delighted with the turn of events.
“Very well. I will return in a moment.” Lady Cordelia turned on her heels and left the room in search of the library.
“Shall I accompany you?” Felix offered calling after her, unsure whether she would need his assistance.
“I will be fine, thank you,” she threw over her shoulder and continued walking.
“I see the two of you are making some progress,” the Dowager Duchess remarked eyeing her son questioningly.
“Yes, I believe that we have come to an understanding of one another.”
“That is wonderful, Felix! Shall I begin planning the wedding?”
“Not just yet, Mother. We have a long way to go before that. ‘Tis a bit premature to be sewing wedding dresses.”
“It is never too early for that,” the Dowager Duchess smiled knowingly.
“Just because we can tolerate to be in the same room with one another for more than a few moments does not a marriage make, Mother. I love you and would do anything for you, including marry someone I do not love, but even loveless arranged marriages take some time. Give us time to grow accustomed to one another before you bind us together for life.”
“I am sorry, my dear. You know I simply want what is best for you, don’t you?”
“Yes, Mother, and I love you all the more for it.” He leaned down and kissed her forehead. When he looked up, he found Marybeth sitting silently in the chair beside the bed, her eyes wide with curiosity at the conversation between them. “Please forgive us, Miss Wright. We seem to have forgotten our manners.”
“Not at all, Your Grace. ‘Tis I that am the intruder.”
“Nonsense. You could never be such,” the Dowager Duchess protested, patting her young friend’s arm. “’Tis only that I wish to see my Felix settled with a good wife before I die.”
“Well, let us see if we cannot postpone death for a time longer, shall we?” Marybeth asked with a smile.
“That would be grand,” Felix answered with a grin. “I would be most pleased indeed.”
The sound of a scream pierced the air startling everyone. “Lady Cordelia!” Felix left the room at a run for the library.
Chapter 7
Felix raced down the stairs and into the library where he found Lady Cordelia lying upon the floor. Marybeth entered right behind him. She ran over to the lady’s prone form on the floor. “She is alive. It appears she only fainted.”
Felix sighed in relief. “Why?” he asked, knowing she probably could not answer as she was not present at the time.
“I do not know. It would appear that she was looking at this book.” She picked up the book where it had fallen on the floor and handed it to him. The cover simply readMarriage.
“Ah, yes, one of Mother’s books. It is written by an acquaintance of hers, a Susan Ferrier. It was published anonymously, but she shared a copy with Mother. I do not believe there is anything within its pages that would cause a lady to faint, but then again, I have never read it in its entirety.”
