Page 50 of Seducing the Marquess (Lords and Ladies in Love 1)

“Perhaps it is merely her settling into her role as wife.” He shifted in his seat so he faced Nash. “You must know of the appellation your sister was branded with by the ton.”

“The Ice Queen?”

He nodded.

Nash frowned. “I never understood that, myself. Eugenia is one of the warmest people I know. She is kindhearted, compassionate, and caring. I believe my mother, and the strict governess she had, tried very hard to suppress all the natural exuberance in my sister. I fear by the time she reached her coming-out, the lessons had taken root.”

“I agree. But her cool demeanor is what led me to make an offer for her.”

Nash straightened in his seat. “And now?” The glint in the man’s eyes gave Devon pause. Nash apparently was fully prepared to defend his sister if Devon gave him reason to.

Devon waved at him. “Nothing terrible, you can wipe that look off your face.” He grinned, but Nash still seemed to remain on guard. “’Tis merely that she has taken me by surprise of late. The race in the park, for one. Her manner of dress has changed. Little things like that.”

And she wanders around dark gardens during balls, crawling out of bushes, with no solid explanation.

Nash viewed him over his coffee cup. “Perhaps after a few months of being out from under my mother’s influence has allowed her to come more into herself. You should be proud of yourself, Devon. She must be comfortable with you.”

Nash’s words took him by surprise. He had been so busy imagining a nefarious reason for her behavior that the most reasonable one had passed him by. She was merely settling into her role as wife and no longer felt the need to adhere to her strict upbringing.

Bellows entered the room, followed by the doctor. “My lord, Dr. Weber has arrived.”

Devon stood. “Thank you.” He joined the doctor at the library door. “Doctor, if you will follow me.”

“I will wait here and await your report,” Nash said.

Chapter Fifteen

“A frightening dream in the dead of night will require some comfort.”

Secrets of the Bedchamber, p. 19

A knock on her bedchamber door interrupted Eugenia’s conversation with Sally about her injury. Devon entered at her response with a man behind him she assumed to be the doctor. The man was young; in fact he did not seem old enough to even be out of the schoolroom. Tall, bespectacled, and of a serious demeanor, she hoped he could help her, since the pain had grown considerably stronger.

“My dear, this is Dr. Weber, who has come to see to your injury.” Devon turned to the doctor. “My wife, the Marchioness of Devon.”

The doctor bowed slightly. “My lady. A pleasure to meet you. I only wish it were under more favorable circumstances.” He spoke as he opened the black bag he’d carried in with him. “Now how did you come to injure yourself?”

Eugenia explained the accident while the doctor moved to the other side of the bed. “Miss, can you please draw the drapes from the windows? I need light.”

Sally quickly did as he bid and joined Devon at the foot of the bed as the doctor looked into Eugenia’s eyes, then gently touched her shoulder. She winced. “This one?” he asked.

“Yes.”

With gentle touches, he felt around her shoulder with his fingertips, then slowly moved her arm in various positions, noting every time she cried out.

“Doctor, is that really necessary? You are causing my wife more pain.” Devon moved from the foot of the bed and took her other hand, giving it a slight squeeze.

“I am almost finished with my examination, my lord. But it is necessary for me to learn exactly where she has been injured and how serious the blow to her shoulder.”

Eugenia raised their join

ed hands and rested her cheek against them, gritting her teeth as the examination continued. The warmth from Devon’s nearness helped calm her. Every time the doctor moved her arm she grew nauseous and prayed she would not disgrace herself in front of them all. Devon rubbed circles on her back, as unbidden tears flooded her eyes and ran down her cheeks. He kissed her several times on the top of her head. Were she not in such pain, she would have appreciated the tenderness.

After excruciating minutes of poking and probing, the doctor looked up at Devon. “I believe her shoulder is not dislocated, just seriously bruised. She will need to remain bedridden for at least forty-eight hours, during which time ice should be applied to the shoulder. Once she is up and about, a sling should be used to keep her arm still for at least a week, so as not to hinder healing by undue pressure on her injury.”

“What about the pain?” Devon drew out his handkerchief and handed it to Eugenia.

The doctor removed a small bottle from his bag. “I will leave some laudanum for her use.” He looked over at Sally as he handed her the bottle. “Your lady should take no more than a teaspoon or two at a time. It will ease her pain but will also make her sleep. After forty-eight hours, she should no longer need it. I have seen too many patients become addicted to the drug, so I never suggest using it for any length of time.”