The Duke's Lady (Historical Romance - The Ladies Series)

by Jernigan, Brenda

  Unable to make any sense of the document, she refolded the paper and had started to lay it on the table when she saw a bold script on the back side. “What’s this? ’Tis writin’ I be seein’,” Annie mumbled as she walked over to the window for a better look in the sunlight. The words were in French, but she could make out a name . . . Jewel.

  “Jewel, ’tis a good name,” Annie whispered. She liked the sound, and it surely applied to this wee one. When she was well again, she’d be a beauty to behold—a treasure plucked from the sea.

  Adam reached his study to find Jonathan pouring two brandies. “I thought you could use this right about now, ol’ boy.” He held the glass up and motioned to him.

  “Perhaps you’d better make mine a double,” Adam said. “But first, I need to send for the physician.” Adam rang a bell, then bent over his desk and quickly penned a note. When Giles appeared, Adam gave orders to dispatch it by messenger at once.

  Taking the stiff drink, he sank down in one of the wingback chairs that flanked the fireplace and shut his eyes. He could still see the girl’s features. Her face hadn’t been blistered, so evidently she’d been in the water overnight and spared the cruel sun. Could she have been on the burning ship he’d spotted late yesterday? The piece of burnt wood he’d found her clinging to supported that theory, but what could one so small and frail have done to cause such abuse? Shifting, he stretched his legs out in front of him, crossing them at the ankles. He opened his eyes and stared at the flames. The girl stirred up feelings he’d thought were long dead.

  Adam let the brandy and the fire’s warmth take the cold from his bones. It was only September, but already a chill lingered in the air, especially in this cold, damp castle. And he thought of his warm airy plantation home, thinking it would be a welcome sight when he finally returned.

  “Adam, who do you suppose she is?” Jonathan asked the question that was on both their minds.

  “I wish I knew. Maybe when she awakens we’ll have some answers.”

  “If she awakens,” Jonathan softly replied.

  Chapter Two

  Adam threw another log onto the grate and watched the sparks shoot high before falling harmlessly along the stone hearth. The room had grown quiet, except for the crack and hiss of the fire. With the fresh wood, the flame once again grew bright.

  For the dozenth time, he glanced at the mantel clock, then at Jonathan dozing in a chair. When would Dr. Perkins come down with his report? He had been upstairs for over an hour. Just how long could it take to examine one small female?

  A sharp rap on the door drew Adam’s attention and woke Jonathan.

  “Enter!” Adam called out.

  Dr. Perkins set his bag on the small marble tabletop by the door. “Your Grace, I’ve just finished my examination.”

  “Good. We’re most anxious to hear your report.” Adam placed his drink on the liquor cabinet and picked up the crystal decanter. “May I offer you a brandy?”

  “No, thank you.” The doctor held up his hand. “I’ve another patient to see this afternoon. Perchance another time.”

  Adam leaned against the liquor cabinet and crossed his arms. “How is she?”

  “You have a dreadfully sick lady on your hands.” Dr. Perkins’s gray brows drew together. “Can you tell me anything about her?”

  “Very little, I’m afraid. We found her on the beach this morning. I had hoped you could tell us more as a physician.”

  “I can’t give you specific details. But I’d say she’s about sixteen or seventeen and appears to have been in good health before this occurred.” Dr. Perkins sighed. “It’s such a shame to see one so young who’s obviously suffered at the hands of a madman.”

  “I couldn’t help but notice that myself.” Adam rubbed his chin. He hid his surprise that the young woman was older than she appeared. Bracing himself for the inevitable, he asked, “What chance do you give her for lasting the night?”

  “I honestly don’t know. I’ve applied my special ointment made of berries and roots, which heals from within, and I hope it will leave few scars when she’s recuperated. But that is the minor problem. The thing that concerns me most is her high fever. I don’t know if she’s strong enough to physically fight, or has the fortitude to live. I’m afraid the next two days will be very critical.”

  Dr. Perkins shook his head as his tired eyes met Adam’s. “Her condition is extremely grave. I’ve instructed Annie to administer a spoonful of laudanum every four hours.” He shrugged. “There’s little else I can do.”

  Adam frowned and looked at Jonathan, who merely shook his head. Helplessness surged within Adam. Not knowing what else to say, he gulped the remainder of his brandy, thinking the scorching liquid would help. It didn’t. He escorted the doctor to the entrance hall, his thoughts on the young woman fighting for her life upstairs. He barely heard Perkins’s parting remarks.

  “I’ll check on her tomorrow. If anything should go wrong tonight, don’t hesitate to summon me. Good day, Your Grace.”

  Adam fought the urge to rush upstairs, and instead returned to his study.

  Jonathan sat with his feet propped casually upon the hearth, indulging in a third brandy. His gaze met Adam’s as he entered the room. “It looks as if you’ll be having a guest for a while. What will you do with her?”

  “Do?” Adam paused and stared at his friend, then let out a weary sigh as he sat down. “Hell,” he said, raking a hand through his hair. He had obligations in America and would be leaving soon. He shut his eyes and pictured her again in the sand. His chest tightened. He’d seen men die, but the thought of the lady upstairs not surviving bothered him more than he cared to admit. Christ! Was he getting soft to be so affected by the plight of one probable stowaway?

  Again he glanced at Jonathan, remembering his earlier question. “I’m going to help the girl recover, then send her on her way. That is, after I have a few answers.” Adam said the last more to himself than to his friend.

  Adam stood, stretching his long legs. He reached over and slapped Jonathan on the back. “Come on, Jon, I need to check on some of my tenants.” Adam felt the need to keep busy and take his mind off the girl. “They might need some help after last night’s storm. How about riding out with me?”

  The day passed with one long repair job after another while Adam and Jonathan helped the farmers who had the most damage. As they neared Briercliff, Adam glanced at his friend, feeling a little guilty. In his effort to keep busy and keep the demons in his mind at bay, he’d pushed a little too hard and he could see the results in the way Jonathan slumped in the saddle. Adam wanted to smile, but instead asked, “Can you stay for dinner?”

  “Every bone in my body aches.” Jonathan rubbed the back of his neck. “I remember now why I chose to give up such physical exertion. Too much liquor,” he confessed. “Thanks for the invitation, but I have a bit of clerical work I’ve been putting off. It seems to have stacked up since I’ve been in London. I’ll see you in a couple of days. By the way . . .” He turned in his saddle. “Next month I’m having a few friends up from London for a dinner party. Going to give them a taste of the country life. I’d like you to come. But I should warn you, Colette will be there.” Jonathan frowned. “You might say she invited herself, hoping she’d get to see you.

  Adam grimaced with disgust. “Will that woman never give up? Colette thinks I’ll be her next husband. But she’s not the wife I’d choose, providing I wanted one.” Adam paused, then gave his friend a long look. He knew Jonathan had never cared for the lady’s shallow personality.

  “I must admit, she has eyes only for you.” Jonathan chuckled, and being the devilish fellow he was, couldn’t resist adding, “Be careful. I’ve heard she usually gets what she wants.”

  “Laugh, damn you,” Adam replied. “Lady Colette will find she can’t have everything she wants—especially if she wants me.” He nudged his horse forward, bringing an end to the topic.

  Stopping at the entrance of Briercliff, he turned to
his friend, “Thanks for your help today, Jon.” Suddenly, Adam could no longer control his impatience to be home. It was only natural to be anxious to see how his little sea urchin was doing. As master of Briercliff, he was responsible for her.

  Jonathan left, and Adam turned his mount down the long drive and urged his steed into a gallop. When he reached the stables, he dismounted and tossed the reins to a groom, then strode toward main house. He entered through the oak doors and wasted little time climbing the stairs. He ignored his growling stomach and weary body.

  Annie smiled as he strolled into the room. “Good evenin’, Your Grace. Have ye had yer dinner?”

  “No, Annie, I’m going to bathe and change clothes first. I just stopped to see how our guest is faring.” Adam’s gaze drifted to the sleeping girl who appeared so small and helpless lying in the large bed. Her labored breathing echoed in the room as if she fought for each breath, and her coloring was still not good. Adam couldn’t seem to control the sudden tightness in his chest. “How is she?”

  “There’s no change.” Annie shook her head. “I’ve managed to get a wee bit o’ chicken broth down her and o’ course the medicine. But I do fear her fever will shoot up tonight. It usually does.”

  Adam noticed the fatigue lines around Annie’s eyes. Her brown hair streaked with gray always reminded him of how precious the little woman was to him. He never doubted that he and his sister, Elizabeth, had caused a few of the gray streaks when they had been small. If the truth were known, he’d probably caused several more over the last year. “After I eat dinner, I’ll relieve you for the night,” he said.

  “Dinna be botherin’ yerself!” she protested. “I can take care o’ the lass myself. Besides, she’ll be needin’ her medicine.”

  “I assure you, I’m quite capable of administering a spoonful of syrup.”

  “But sir!”

  “No arguments! I’ll be back after dinner,” he said firmly as he shut the door.

  Precisely at eight o’clock, Adam returned as promised. Annie explained the exact dosage of laudanum that the patient was to receive, then lectured him about keeping cool compresses on her forehead. Turning to leave, she added, “Take good care o’ Jewel and call should ye be needin’ me.”

  “Jewel?” Adam turned to Annie. “Why did you call her by that name?”

  “Oh, beggin’ yer pardon, Your Grace. I be forgettin’ to tell ye.” Annie fumbled in her pocket. “I be havin’ it here somewhere,” she muttered.

  It had been a long day, and Annie’s vagueness wore Adam’s temper thin. “What are you talking about?”

  “ ’Twas just this very momin’ when I undressed the wee lass—I dinna ken what it is.” She finally pulled a piece of folded paper from her pocket. “What do ye make o’ it?”

  Carefully, so as not to cause further damage, Adam unfolded the faded brown parchment. He scanned the paper, taking in the very detailed drawings. The French words had faded in places, but Adam could make out the words for “Bay of”—unfortunately the other word was not legible. The paper had been torn exactly in half, and one was no good without the other. Studying the map, he thought something looked vaguely familiar, but couldn’t quite put his finger on it. “I don’t see any reference to a name, Annie.”

  “Look on the back, sir.”

  Adam turned the map over and saw the inscription. In French it read: “TO MY BELOVED JEWEL, MAY THE TREASURES OF THE WORLD BE YOURS.” The name scrawled on the bottom was JEAN.

  “What do ye make o’ the parchment?” Annie asked.

  Adam read it again. So her name was Jewel. But Jewel what? And who was Jean and what right did he have to refer to her as his beloved? Adam scowled, not liking any of the possibilities that ran through his mind. Could she be nothing more than a common doxy? No. He refused to believe the worst just yet. Perhaps Jean was her brother or maybe her father, Adam reasoned. Somehow that thought sat better with him.

  Why in the world would she have a map? Evidently it was valuable, and possibly the reason she’d been beaten. He tucked the folded paper into his pocket for safekeeping. All but forgotten, Annie stood with her hands on her hips, tapping her foot and awaiting a reply.

  Adam turned his attention back to her. “I beg your pardon?”

  “I do say, mon, where has yer mind been? I’ve been talkin’ for the last few minutes. Come to think o’ it, ye’ve not acted like yerself since ye found the lass.”

  Adam, not wanting to comment on his thoughts, gruffly swore. “Annie, damn it, what did you say?”

  “I asked, what ye be thinkin’ about the drawin’?” Annie replied in a rather offended tone.

  “It’s possibly a treasure map; however, this half is no good without the other.” His gaze strayed to the bed, wondering if the girl was as innocent as she looked. “She could have stolen it. Remember, we don’t know anything about her. I guess we’ll have to wait for all our answers until she’s recovered.” He rubbed the back of his neck. He really didn’t need a discussion just now. “Good night,” he said, dismissing Annie.

  After she left, Adam once again turned his gaze upon Jewel’s small and delicate features. Short black hair framed her oval face, and soot-black eyelashes rested on her flushed cheeks. Reaching over, Adam felt her forehead. It still burned with fever.

  He moved to the washstand, where he poured fresh water into a porcelain bowl, then carried the bowl back to the bed. He sat down on the edge of the bed, closely watching the rise and fall of her chest. Balancing the bowl on his legs, he tenderly brushed the hair back from her face. He dipped a cloth and squeezed out the excess water, then placed the damp compress on her forehead. When the cloth grew warm he followed the procedure again, but this time he wiped down Jewel’s arms and bare chest, trying everything to bring her body heat down. How strange it felt to take care of someone again. Adam remembered taking care of Elizabeth when they were younger. Even though they were twins, he had always seemed years older. But she hadn’t been as cooperative as this patient. She’d usually fussed about staying in bed. Of course, Elizabeth had never been as sick as the lady before him.

  Again he applied the soothing water, and held the moist rag to her parched lips to relieve the dryness.

  The hours passed slowly. After a while, Adam stood and rolled his head on his shoulders to alleviate the tension and pain in his neck. Picking up the basin, he moved back to the washstand. That was when he heard a moan so soft he thought perhaps he’d only imagined it. He jerked around.

  Easing down onto the bed, he took her hand in his and rubbed his thumb over her soft palm. “I’m here, Jewel. Just rest and get well,” he whispered.

  Compassion stirred deep in his soul. But compassion was all he could ever feel for this mysterious woman who had drifted into his life, he told himself, despite the strong attraction that swept his body.

  Suddenly, Jewel’s eyelids flew open. She reached up and grabbed Adam’s shirt. She stared directly at him. “P—Please don’t let me die.” The soft plea slipped from quivering lips. Adam grabbed her arms so she wouldn’t fall. Slowly, he lowered her back to the bed, then leaned closer so he could hear her softly spoken words. She had a very slight French accent, but not a normal accent—it was somehow different.

  “I—I’m so cold. C-can’t get warm.” Her head thrashed from side to side. “Don’t let them hurt me. Don’t leave me— please,” she begged, grasping his hand.

  The words, though choppy and brief, affected Adam deeply. He became lost in the brown velvet softness of her feverish eyes, and found he had been holding his breath. He let it out slowly, thinking how small she looked in the midst of the pillows that surrounded her.

  Before he could move or say anything, Jewel’s eyes closed and once again she slipped back into the deep sleep she’d been in before. She still clutched his hand. Her lips quivered from fever-induced chills.

  Adam loosened her fingers from his hand, then quickly retrieved two quilts from the chair, tucking them around her. He waited. The quilts
didn’t help. Nothing seemed to help. Her shivering increased. Swiftly, he removed his boots and shirt, and thought for one brief second about removing his breeches, but decided against it. He wanted to keep thinking of this young lady as a child that needed protection—nothing more. Otherwise, it would be far too easy for one thing to lead to another. He also didn’t want Annie to have an attack of the vapors when she found him in bed with Jewel the next morning.

  He slid under the covers, pulling the blankets over them, being careful of Jewel’s raw back as he placed her next to his long frame. Her skin felt dry and hot to the touch.

  Gliding one arm under her head, he draped the other over her waist, the radiating heat from Jewel’s body quickly engulfing them both in sweat Still, he held her close, offering her his body’s warmth and comfort. Somehow he had to stop her chills. It seemed like hours before he felt her relax and the trembling ceased.

  Exhaustion finally claimed Adam, and he relaxed. Not since he’d been a boy had he experienced such a peaceful contentment. Again he remembered his mother’s death, but this time the outcome would be different, he vowed. The woman cradled in his arms would live because he’d saved her life.

  Jewel turned over and faced him, snuggling her head on his shoulder. A strange protective sensation washed over Adam. He wondered just what he was getting himself into.

  If he wasn’t careful he could have deep emotions for this slip of a girl. But that was impossible; he knew nothing about her. He rubbed his calloused hand over her soft arm. The skin felt cool and damp. The fever had broken. And Annie had thought him incapable of caring for Jewel. “I guess I’ve shown her,” he murmured before drifting off into a long- awaited sleep. Tomorrow, he had a long ride into London.