Page 33 of Daisy and the Duke
When they returned to thehouse, Tristan insisted that Jack go rest in his room, despite his friend’s protests. The ladies had left immediately, of course, and he’d been too rattled to apologize or make amends for anything. Less than an hour later, though, the majordomo interrupted Tristan in his office, while he was puzzling over John Cater’s latest missive about the diamond mine venture, which involved a lot of numbers that he could not quite parse.
“Your grace, Miss Bella Merriot has come to call. Are you at home? She said she has something for Mr. Kemble.”
“Something for Kemble?” Tris echoed. “Show her in.”
The majordomo bowed and left. Shortly after, he reappeared with the doll-like Bella in his wake.
Tristan stood up. “My lady.”
“Your grace.” Bella dipped into a graceful curtsey. She looked unnervingly perfect, her hair curled into those shiny, stiff ringlets and the lace of her gown starched to withstand a gale.She must be damnably uncomfortable, he thought.
It was strange how Bella was considered the far better catch, when it was Daisy who drew him. Daisy had a spark of life, a curiosity about the world that he loved to see. Whether she was discussing the weather or music or simple village news, she always expressed interest in the tiniest details, and she clearly cared about the outcome of each event. In contrast, Bella seemed like a paper doll.
“I have some local remedies that may benefit Mr. Kemble in his convalescence. I didn’t mean to disturb you, but perhaps you could see that they’re given to his nurse…”
“I’m sure that he’ll derive even more benefit if he has a visit from a friendly face, especially after you had to leave so quickly before.”Now that’s talking around the issue, Tristan berated himself. “Come with me, my lady.”
Bella nodded quickly. “Happily, your grace.”
Kemble sat up in bed when he saw them enter the room.
“Visitor for you, Jack,” Tristan murmured. Louder, he said, “Miss Bella has brought a gift.”
“Not a gift, Mr. Kemble,” Bella said, blushing prettily. “Just a few medicines that may help relieve some of your symptoms.”
“I’ll take all the help I can get,” Jack replied. “That was a very kind thought, my lady.”
Bella paused, then said, “In fact, it was not my thought. Daisy arranged to get them from our local healer. I think she meant to give them to you herself, but she must have been distracted. My mother found them and told me to come posthaste. So you see, I am only the errand girl.”
“Then I am grateful to you both.”
Bella approached the bed and placed the basket on the extreme edge. “The syrup is to be taken at bedtime, and will ease coughing so you may sleep through the night. These drops can be used anytime. I remember using them myself last winter, and they are wonderfully soothing for the throat.”
“Perhaps we should let the doctor go and bring this healer to Lyondale,” Tristan said. “It seems that’s exactly what you need.”
“This is why it helps to know your neighbors, your grace,” Jack replied, with an arched eyebrow.
“I am sorry if I interrupted your reading, Mr. Kemble,” Bella said. She seemed to be more human now, and Tristan regretted thinking her a doll earlier. Very probably, she was just being extremely careful to behave herself around a duke. Kemblewasmuch more approachable. He always had been.
“Not at all. In fact, I can’t read for long. Even the weight of the book is hard to hold up for a while, and my eyes get tired.”
“Then you must let me read to you!” Bella exclaimed, then glanced at Tristan. “That is…if your grace does not object?”
“On the contrary.” Tristan grabbed one of the chairs by the fireplace and dragged it to the bedside before he remembered that dukes weren’t supposed to do those sorts of tasks. “Pop one of those sweets in your mouth, Kemble. My lady, is this light sufficient?”
“Quite, your grace.” She allowed Tristan to seat her in the chair.
“I’ll have tea sent up shortly.”
“Very good, your grace,” she said, already opening the book. “The ribbon is marking the page at chapter four, Mr. Kemble. Shall I start there?”
“Please.” Jack smiled at her, and Tristan got a jolt when he realized that there was something besides simple pleasure in his friend’s expression.
Oh, God, Jack’s falling for her.
And why not? Bella Merriot was a beautiful woman. But she was aiming to marry as high as she could, certainly higher than a mere solicitor. Whether she intended to or not, the Hon. Bella Merriot was going to break his friend’s heart.
Just as Daisy was going to break his own.
