Page 13 of Taming a Beastly Duke
The women were unconvinced. They circled her as the dowager duchess nodded to Lord Edwin.
“Help your cousin to the carriage,” she said urgently. “We must get them home. I shall send word for Mr. Morrison to come and examine both of you.”
Adelaide and the duke both opened their mouths to argue. But the Dowager Duchess shook her head, her eyes frantic but her mouth set in a thin straight line.
“That is not a request,” she said with a tone that allowed for no argument. Lord Edwin nodded, putting his arm around the duke, who surprisingly did not resist. The ladies continued to attend to Adelaide as they escorted her to the carriage and throughout the journey back to the manor. But no further arguments from her would be heard. The women rushed around the mansion issuing orders, then ushered Adelaide to her chambers. About an hour later, Mr. Morrison knocked on her door.
“Aunt Helena, please,” Adelaide insisted, even as the physician began unpacking his medical bag. “This truly is not necessary.”
Her aunt shook her head with tears in her eyes. It was evident that she was terribly shaken and upset, her usual calm demeanor replaced by frantic concern.
“We could have lost you, darling,” she said tearfully. “We must ensure that your injuries are not serious.”
Adelaide sighed, collapsing back onto the bed. The women exited the room, closing the door behind them. Mr. Morrison gave her a warm smile and patted her hand gently.
“Do not worry, Miss Barrett,” he said. “This will not take long.”
Adelaide nodded, offering a weak smile in return.
“I apologise,” she said. “I am certain that this shall prove to be a most egregious waste of your time. Indeed, I find myself feeling quite..” She gasped, wincing fiercely as the doctor pressed on her left elbow.
He nodded, giving her hand another pat.
“It is best to be cautious, my lady,” he said.
Adelaide tried to relax as the physician began his examination. But her thoughts would not settle. She had suffered yet another compromising public humiliation. But she could not forget that His Grace had saved her life. Nor could she forget how it felt to be in his arms, despite all the onlookers.
After listening to her breathing and examining her legs, neck, lower back, and arms, Mr. Morrison gave her a reassuring smile.
“You have suffered some bruising, particularly on your elbows and back,” he said. “It is only minor, however. Your muscles may be a bit sore, as well. But you shall be restored to your former self within a day or two.”
Adelaide nodded, though she barely heard him. She was still in deep thought about what had happened. But she did not get any more time to reflect on the event, as when the physician opened the door, Sophia and her aunt entered the room.
“Are you all right?” Helena asked, cupping Adelaide’s face in her hands.
Adelaide nodded, wincing as she repeated what the physician had said. Helena did not look convinced. She turned to Sophia, pointing to the wardrobe.
“Fetch Adelaide another dress,” she said. Then, she looked at Adelaide. “Lie back. Do not move too much. You risk injuring yourself worse.”
Adelaide opened her mouth to repeat what Mr. Morrison had said. She looked up at the door, hoping to seek for his assistance reassuring her aunt of her well-being. But the physician was gone, undoubtedly to speak to the duke and dowager duchess and collect his pay. Thus, Adelaide was left with her aunt hovering around her as though she had just given birth.
“Let me help you stand,” she said, putting an arm around Adelaide and hoisting her from the bed gently before she could protest. She continued supporting her as Sophia began removing the ruined dress.
“Gently, now, Sophia,” Helena said, perhaps more sharply than she intended. “You must not pull too hard. You can damage her injured muscles.”
Adelaide gave Sophia a sheepish look, but the lady’s maid only winked and nodded with understanding.
“Yes, milady,” she said, trying again with the dress.
Gradually, she tuned out her aunt’s incessant worrying, her mind returning to the moments she had spent in the duke’s arms. His strength, both in his arms and below, the heat of his body against hers, and the way his eyes had darkened with concern still made her pulse quicken and her cheeks flush. Once again, she longed for nothing other than to feel the Duke’s passionate touch.
***
Once Mr. Morrison left, Marcus stormed out of the mansion and to the stables. He was glad that Miss Barrett was all right, and he knew that the proper thing to do was to check in on her. However, he could not stay in the manor another moment longer right then. He needed to sort through his thoughts, which consisted of nothing but the warmth of Miss Barrett.
He retrieved the horse the stable-boy saddled for him, wasting no time in spurring the animal into the fastest gait of which it was capable. He pushed the mount hard across the countryside, the wind whipping at his coat as he tried to outrun the memory of Miss Barrett in his arms. Thoughts of her soft curves pressed against him, her breathless gasp, and the way she had melted into him tortured him as much as they enticed him. He knew she had felt the physical proof of his desire for her, and when she was as reluctant to pull away as he had been, he knew she had been equally as tempted.
As if summoned by a waking nightmare, the winter gardens of Lochville Manor flashed through his mind. There, he saw Charlotte’s lifeless body lying in the snow, her blood turning the pristine white to a violent crimson. He clenched his jaw as he loudly cursed the unwanted image, the contrast between that cold horror and the vital warmth of Miss Barrett’s body against his tore at his conscience.
