A message was on its way to Ellings and another to his family. Leopold’s siblings would not question his absence and would accept any excuse he offered. As for Ellings and Tessa, they would hold their confidentiality so he and Bethany may survive this situation unscathed, or at least her reputation untarnished.
Only one obstacle remained. “Is there a shop in this hamlet?”
The question was directed to the only servant who remained, Henry.
“I will see, Your Grace.” Henry started to open the door. “What needs to be purchased, Your Grace?”
Leopold stared at him because the lack of clothing should be obvious.
“Oh, yes. I will return straight away.”
“Take this.” Bethany pressed a purse into Henry’s hand.
Leopold hated that she had to purchase his clothing but a servant walking into a shop where he was not known, nor dressed in proper livery, and requesting credit on behalf of the Duke of Claybrook would not likely purchase a handkerchief let alone a complete set of clothing and boots.
“I will pay you back. I promise.”
“I know you will.” Her blue eyes lit with humor. “I may even charge interest.”
Which he would gladly pay, given she had not only saved him, but continued to take care of him when she could have left Leopold alone in the inn and traveled on to Faversham.
Henry returned not even an hour later with the clothing he had purchased. Bethany removed herself as Leopold tried to find something that would fit him so that he could move about without exposing his nakedness. Everything was too small.
“Are you certain they had nothing larger? There must be someone who lives here that is larger than me.”
“This is all I could find in the shop.”
“Is there no tailor?” Leopold asked.
“Only a bakery and blacksmith.”
“There is nothing else?” He looked over the clothing.
“You have not tried the nightshirt, Your Grace.”
Leopold hadn’t slept in a nightshirt since he was a lad and did not want to do so now. Except, he was also sharing a chamber with Bethany. “Give it here.”
Henry handed him the nightshirt and Leopold pulled it over his head, then attempted to shove his arms in the sleeves. It fit, but he could not move because the shoulders were too narrow for him. “Bloody hell!” He turned one way and then the other, hoping to stretch the material only to have it rip. Frustrated, he tore it over his head, damaging it even further. It was impossible that he was the largest man in this hamlet.
“What about others staying at the inn or enjoying a meal before they continue their journey? Someone must have something,” Leopold barked.
“I will go see, Your Grace,” Henry promised before he quickly left the room.
Leopold sat on the bed and pulled the coverlet over his lap. At the light tap on the door, he called, knowing that it would be Bethany. She’d already seen his body so his chest and lower legs should not be too disturbing.
“Nothing fits,” he ground out.
“So I have been told.” She actually smirked.
“That leaves me stuck here, in this bed and hiding under a blanket.”
“As you are supposed to remain in bed, I see no difficulty.”
Leopold glowered at her. Though in truth, he had moved about more today than he had since before he was attacked. His head pounded, there had been moments of dizziness, and his body still ached as if he’d been pummeled. Not that he would admit as such to Bethany. He’d already humiliated himself in front of her.
“I am certain Henry will find something for you to wear,” she offered.
He was not in the mood to be coddled, but he shouldn’t take his poor mood out on her. And he hated that he was tired—exhausted when he’d done nothing but try on clothing.
