Page 64 of Denying the Duke (Lords and Ladies in Love 3)

After Hawk had left with a sobbing Patience, Alex had confirmed that Loverly had a pistol in his pocket, which would have been the end of his life if he hadn’t acted. Nevertheless, seeing a man killed before your eyes was appalling. The first time it had happened to him, he’d tossed up his accounts and had taken a great deal of ribbing from the other officers.

Soon he’d become numb to it, which almost bothered him more than his initial reaction. No one should be forced to deaden his senses to death. Yet, in the military, it was necessary for survival.

Everything was quiet when he entered the house. He rubbed his hands over his face and decided to have a brandy before facing Patience. It had been a long night—and he needed food and rest—but first a drink, then his wife, and then food and sleep.

He swirled the brown liquid in the glass and stared out at the peaceful morning. He’d decided somewhere between leaving the War Department and arriving home that he would return to the Abbey as soon as Patience was up to traveling. Parliament would be in session for months yet, but he would eschew his duty to the Crown in that regard for the rest of this Season.

His duty to the Crown for this year was done.

Now that Loverly was dead, and he no longer had to worry about Patience’s safety, he wanted desperately to leave London. Once things were in order at the Abbey, he would take his wife on an extended trip to each of his holdings. They needed time together without the threat of danger.

He swallowed the last of the brandy and headed upstairs. The only sound in the corridor was his footsteps and the maids already starting their day. He nodded at a young girl as they passed each other.

After entering his room, he stripped off his clothes and pulled on a banyan. The silence from the other side of the adjoining door told him Patience was still asleep. He would postpone their conversation until she awoke. He rang for Thomas who arrived still sleepy, but nevertheless dressed to perfection. “Your Grace?”

“I would like a bath, and have Cook send up breakfast.”

Thomas nodded and left the room. He eyed the bed and as tempted as he was to climb into it and sleep for hours, he had to speak with Patience first, and get things straightened out before it became an issue between them.

Two footmen brought in the large bathing tub, followed by men hauling buckets of water. As they slowly filled the tub, Alex decided that once they returned to the Abbey, he would see about putting in a bathing room with running water. He’d heard about it while in America, and then learned houses in England were starting to add them, as well.

Once they left, he removed his banyan and climbed into the delicious warmth. His muscles relaxed and he closed his eyes. The brandy had lessened his tension, but he did not want to fall asleep. He had things to do that were important to his life and his marriage.

Seeing Patience with the knife at her throat—bruised and helpless in Loverly’s arms—had almost brought him to his knees. At that moment, he knew he’d loved her and did not want to live one day without her. She was his, had always been his, since they were youths. Had she and Cyrus been married, he would have broken the law and married her anyway. Propriety be damned.

Thomas entered with his breakfast, which had his stomach growling. He climbed from the tub and accepted the drying cloth from Thomas. After rubbing his skin and hair dry, he slipped into his banyan. Feeling refreshed, he sat at the table and eagerly eyed the breakfast of bacon, sausages, eggs, toast, trout in cream sauce, warm rolls, and coffee.

Thomas moved around the room, straightening things up, and preparing shaving equipment and clothing for his employer.

“Don’t fuss too much, Thomas. Once I have spoken with Her Grace, I plan to sleep for a few hours. Also, we will be returning to the Abbey in a couple of days. After Her Grace recovers from her injuries.”

“I was concerned for her. I did not want to question you, but I assume she returned while I slept last night. Cook had no information, either.”

“It is a long story. One I will tell you another time. Just know she has returned to safety, Loverly is dead, and life will soon return to normal.”

“Excellent.” The valet continued with his duties while Alex finished his meal.

He rose and studied the door between their bedchambers. It was still quiet on the other side, but he could wait no longer. He had to see her and assure himself all was well. Taking a deep breath, he strode across the room, and opened the door.

…

Patience rolled over in bed and frowned, unsure where she was. She touched her throbbing cheek, and it all came back to her. Loverly. Alex keeping her in the dark about the danger, like a child. The kidnapping. Alex saving her, and then destroying everything she ever felt for him by shooting a man who had begged for his life.

She shuddered and ran her palms up and down her arms. She turned at the sound of a knock and the door opening. Suzanna stuck her head in. “I see you’re awake.”

Patience shifted to sit up, groaning at the pain radiating throughout her body. Her shoulders ached from her hands being tied behind her back, her face throbbed, and her knees and hip hurt from when Loverly had pushed her into the carriage and then struck her.

“Oh, don’t move, let me help you.” Suzanna was across the room in a flash.

Between the two of them, they got her up and leaning against the pillows. Suzanna sat alongside her on the bed and took her hand. “I allowed you to remain silent last night since you were obviously overwrought, but now I must ask this. Did His Grace strike you?” Her cousin’s eyes were wide and her face an expression of horror.

“No. It is a long story.”

Obviously relieved, Suzanna moved so she was also leaning against the pillows behind Patience’s head. “I am glad for that. I always liked His Grace and did not want to think he would do such a thing. However, in the condition you arrived in last night, you did mumble something about Alex being horrible, and a monster, and you never wanted to see him again.”

Patience thought she’d been all cried out, but apparently not, when her eyes filled with tears and a few dribbled down her cheek. “Oh, I am in such a mess, Suzanna.”

“Let me send for some chocolate and we can talk.” She swung her feet over the bed and stood.