I stopped, took my hand from the door latch. “Excuse me?”
“Yes, I have a schedule. Plans for my ward.”
“He’s a baby.”
“I’ve made men of less well-behaved people. Lionel Jordan will live up to my expectations. I’ll visit you in the nursery at fifteen past one.”
“Fifteen past what? Why so exact?”
“Precision is my strength. I’ll meet you then, and we can discuss my other requirements for Master Jordan. You’ll have to adhere to themifyou stay.”
If?
Oh, that didn’t sound good.
But how dare a stranger try to tell me how to take care of my Lionel? I felt my smile freezing, falling off, and shattering on the floor. “Yes, sir.”
“Have the child and the nursery ready for inspection.”
Servants had to defer to guardians. I kissed my son again. “Yes, Your Grace.”
The duke looked like he attempted to rise but sank into his pillows.
Something was definitely wrong.
I couldn’t help my gaze pinning to the wheels on the invalid chair. “Fifteen past one.”
“Yes, LaCroy.”
I fled the bedchamber.
Jemina shut the door behind me. She and the countess had waited.
Lady Shrewsbury offered atskwith her teeth. “Well, that didn’t go as planned, but you’ve been hired. Jemina will work downstairs among the campers. And you, Patience—”
“I’m going to get this one a bath.”
“Good.” The woman rubbed Lionel’s arm. “But take care, the duke has agreed because he was disadvantaged. A commander will lose the battle but not the war. Be sharp around him. Do excellent jobs, or he’ll terminate you.”
Jemina nodded, her brow furrowing. “Patience is with her baby, but what’s the plan, particularly with all the men and tents, and is that a cannon?”
The crazy, hurt duke had turned Hamlin into a war zone.
“Lady Shrewsbury, where do we begin?” I asked.
“Gather the evidence that Markham has hidden in Hamlin that will prove why he needed to imprison you in Bedlam. The guard at the gate, who let us through, said Markham lingered for quite a long time. He was remiss to leave. The villain has something hidden in Hamlin. Find it.”
The countess and Jemina headed down the steep stairs.
I didn’t know what to make of distrusting dukes, cannons on the marble floor, or evidence. Everything for me was Lionel and getting him healthy. “Let’s go to the nursery.”
Up the steep stairs, we danced onto the third floor. Once inside the nursery, I shut the door and looked at the smallish room I’d have to get in order. The tart odor of neglect was all about. The sconces needed dusting. “Lionel, this room will be the palace I dreamed for you.”
Holding my baby, I spun round and round. In the light of the day, the teal walls blended with the hazel blue of my son’s eyes. He was all smiles, empty gums and all.
Breathing a little fast, I caressed him. “I’m here with you now, Lionel, in the day. And I’m going to do what I can to stay with you till I get my trust documents. Then I’ll finance passage for a boat to Demerara. We’re going to be safe.”
I pulled off the dirty linens and set my shawl in the crib for Lionel to lay upon.
