“Please, don’t tell me any of them. You might shock me.”
Thea inclined her head. “I’m afraid I would, honestly.”
Ewan leaned closer to her and whispered. They were so close their breath mingled. “The truth is that I was planning to ask for your help where my other guest is concerned.”
“My help? How could I possibly help?” she whispered back.
Ewan was so close he could see the tiny trace of freckles along the bridge of her nose. He was tempted to reach out and touch the soft skin of her cheek. He shook himself to clear his head of such thoughts. “The other guest is my friend, Phillip. He’s been staying here for several months. He’s not quite himself at the moment.”
Thea’s chest rose and fell with each breath. Ewan couldn’t help but notice herdecolletage.
“What do you mean?” she breathed.
“He’s a soldier. In addition to some other injuries he sustained in the war, he has a brain injury. From being thrown by a horse.” He paused and watched as Thea digested that bit of information.
“I’m sorry to hear that,” she breathed.
“He hasn’t spoken since he arrived.”
Thea’s slight gasp made the hair on the back of Ewan’s neck stand up. “I’m sorry to hear that,” she whispered.
“I was hoping—”
“You were hoping I might be able to help, given my experience with my mother?” she finished for him.
He nodded once. “I understand if you don’t want to. It’s a lot to ask.”
“Not at all. I’d be happy to help. It’s the least I can do after you’ve been so kind as to allow me to stay here. But I do have one question.”
“What’s that?” Ewan asked.
“I can understand you wanting to help your friend who was injured in war, but what I can’t understand is … why is it all such a secret?”
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
Thea watched as a range of emotions played across Ewan’s face. There was surprise, there was regret, and there was … indecision.
When he finally spoke, he said, “Did you know there’s quite a bit of scientific theory on the effect of animals on the mind of those who’ve experienced shock?”
“Yes, actually,” Thea replied, confusion marring her brow. What did this have to do with the secrecy surrounding Phillip? “There is a man on the continent who is an expert on the subject. I wanted to try to send for him when Mother was ill, but Father refused. His name is Forrester, I believe.”
Ewan expelled his breath. “Would you believe me if I told you that Mr. Forrester is here?”
Thea’s eyes widened. “What? Truly?”
“Yes, he’s been working with Phillip for a several days now.”
“But … why?” Thea asked.
Ewan turned to her. “You asked me why Phillip being here is a secret. I know it seems odd. But there is a good reason. You see, Phillip isn’t just a soldier.”
Thea held her breath. “Who is he?”
“He’s the rightful Duke of Harlowe.”
Thea’s eyes shot open wide. “What?”
Ewan nodded again. “That’s correct.”
