Of course, Claybrook was only thinking of himself. “That is not to what I refer.”
“I know,” he said softly. “Truthfully, if it was just me, I would not care.”
“Then it shall stay between the two of us?”
“Yes, Bethany, it will.” His eyes focused on her. “I would not have you ruined because you were kind enough to assist me.”
He sounded as if he genuinely cared when she knew for certain that Claybrook would do everything possible not to be stuck with her, which meant he would never breathe a word of the time they spent together for fear of what would be expected of him.
Chapter Four
Leopold stared at the closed chamber door. The doctor had just left and was quite pleased that he had survived the night.
Those words had sent a chill down his spine, but then he wondered at the doctor’s education. Had he been so concerned, wouldn’t he have instructed Bethany to send for his family or make certain the heir apparent was notified? Though, that would have been difficult since Crispin was in Greece.
The doctor also insisted that Leopold still not travel for a sennight. He agreed only to appease the doctor but would decide for himself when he felt ready to continue his journey.
He’d slept most of yesterday and Leopold wanted to be up and moving. However, each time he attempted to do so, pain racked his body. The few times that he had gotten up, he’d become dizzy. It was bloody aggravating and embarrassing to ask Bethany to call one of her footmen for assistance since he certainly could not ask her. Had he any clothing, then at least he could cross the chamber without her viewing his backside, or his front.
“I will send word to your family,” she began. “My driver can be at Faversham by late tonight.”
“What of you?” he asked. “Will your family not be expecting you?”
Bethany sank into a chair. “They believe that I was going to remain in London.”
“Then they will not be concerned if you do not arrive.”
“Nor will they ever learn of our current situation.”
“And you will not be ruined,” he added. Though in truth, given the circumstances, nobody would think less of Bethany. She’d only taken him from the road, put him in an inn and found a doctor. She could leave, report on the situation and no harm would come to her. Besides, their families would not want to risk her reputation so it was likely nobody else would ever learn the part she had played in his rescue. “You should go.”
“I cannot leave you here without someone to take care of you.”
“You cannot stay either.”
“Nor can I go on to my uncle’s home and tell your family what has happened.”
“Why not?” He frowned, then relaxed his features when pain sliced through his scalp. That must be where the doctor had stitched him.
“My Aunt Anne.” Bethany sighed. “The woman could hear gossip whispered in another county, so no matter how much I would try to tell your family in private, she would learn. That woman gossips more than anyone I have ever met and embellishes with each telling. I fear that if she learns that I have been alone with you in an inn, despite the circumstances, she will not be able to keep quiet and write to all her friends.”
Leopold had no idea who this Aunt Anne was, but the last thing either of them needed was households across England learning about his injuries and how Bethany had nursed him alone in an inn. She would be ruined beyond repair.
“Send word to my family and then return to London.”
“That would be the wisest course, but I do not feel right just leaving you alone while you are still recovering from your injuries. Dr. Gooding still has grave concerns, and I would not be able to live with myself if something happened that I could have prevented had I been here.”
Leopold started to smile. Maybe she did care, even if it was a little bit.
He closed his eyes as they grew heavy. Was it the head injuries or pain that had him wanting to sleep?
“I would seek help from Tessa, but she is too far away,” Bethany said almost as an afterthought.
Tessa was married to his cousin, the Duke of Ellings…Leopold opened his eyes, though it was difficult as they felt like there were weights on them.
If there was ever a situation that called for the assistance from any of the dukes in the alliance this would be it. “Write to her…no…write to Darius.”
Blast! The ring that he was to use on the wax seal when summoning one of the dukes had been with his things, and was now lost after being taken by some miscreant.
