The Duke Who Loved Me

by Rachelle Stevensen

She slumped in relief. “It-it is n-not y-your fa-fault I-I had t-to w-walk. I-I just n-needed t-to g-get to Sc-scotland. And I-I thought I-I c-could make it. B-But the s-storm, and t-then the fall, I-I can’t g-go a-any f-further. I-I am s-sorry i-if I am i-intruding. I-I know i-it’s n-n-not the d-done t-thing t-to in-invite m-myself to-to st-stay in s-someone’s h-home.”

  Aidan thought about it, and knew that the villagers wouldn’t take her through to Scotland. They thought he was evil and had a curse on him, and his land. And yet, here this girl was, shivering and wet, and she wasn’t scared, and she was kinder than anyone had a right to be.

  Worried that she was intruding on his home. His home was bigger than he needed and this small, beautiful girl certainly wouldn’t be taking up time or effort. Hell, she would barely take up one of the many rooms they had.

  He looked down at her, “Of course you can stay, let me just get you up on my horse and we can ride back together? It is faster than walking.”

  “Th-th-thank you. I thought I-I would ha-have to sleep out-out here. I d-d-didn’t relish t-th-the thought. I-I can’t r-ride that well t-though. I am s-sorry.” She said, and Aidan smiled.

  “I am certain it would not be fun to sleep in the rain. And it is freezing out here. I am glad I rode this way.”

  She nodded, “I-I am g-glad too. S-seeing a p-person so f-far out here, w-was d-definitely to m-my advantage. My-my name is R-Rh-Rhiannon F-Forester. T-thank you again, sir.” She looked up at him.

  He smiled again, “I am pleased to meet you Rhiannon. We can take our time riding. My horse is very good around people. I will not let you fall or let any harm come to you. I am Aidan.”

  He wanted to say more, but whenever someone found out he was the Duke, they always got scared, and that was definitely the last thing he wanted from her.

  She nodded slowly, “A-Aidan, pleased to-to m-meet you a-as well. I-if you j-just help m-me stand, I-I can m-make it to y-your horse. I t-think.”

  Aidan nodded at her, “If you think you can do it. Don’t push too hard. I can help you with no trouble.”

  Rhiannon nodded as well and he started to help her to stand. When they were halfway to a standing position, she cried out softly, and he looked down at her in shock. “Are you all right?”

  She nodded again, “Yes, j-just l-let m-me g-get my leg straightened.”

  Aidan's eyebrows drew together in confusion, but he said nothing, trying to help as she practically wrenched her leg to bend straight.

  He watched her face and she bit her lip so hard it turned white, and didn't make a sound this time.

  He stared at her in shock again. His mouth slightly ajar.

  She stood on her feet, shaking and shivering and took two deep breaths.

  He had let go of her arm when she stood and when he saw her get herself under control, he stepped back to help her again. He knew he was tall. Taller than most, and his size was sometimes a disadvantage and he didn’t want to intimidate her.

  She took one step forward in his direction and she let out a squeak as she fell forward, her hand outstretched to prepare to catch herself. He caught her in his arms, and she shuddered. Her head on his chest.

  When she looked up at him, he had to refrain from jerking his hat down to cover his face. He didn’t want her to be scared of his scarred face. He hated feeling like this, because normally he was around people who never flinched away when they saw his scars, but this beauty standing in front of him made him hope that he wouldn’t scare her.

  “T-thank you.” She laughed slightly, “It s-seems all I d-do is thank y-you. M-my leg d-does not like h-how much w-walking I did. I-I never w-walk t-this m-much.”

  The way she looked up at him, no fear in her eyes, only gratitude, Aidan had to swallow his emotion. She hadn’t flinched away from him yet. And he was quite certain she had seen his face in its entirety. She was the first woman to be this close to him and not cringe away from him, either from his size or his face.

  Aidan noticed her hand was bleeding, she had a rather large cut in it that looked fresh, but was covered in mud. She also had scratches on her arms and neck. Those were most likely from her fall down the small hill. He could see where she had fallen.

  With the way she stood with one leg not quite on the ground, Aidan knew there was more to Rhiannon he didn't know. But he wanted to find out. That thought shocked him still. This woman in front of him tied him up inside and he barely knew her name. Only knowing that she was brave and strong.

  This girl had been through some difficult times today to say the least. And yet? She was thanking him from not letting her fall was something he couldn't believe. He would not let her hurt herself again. He would always be there to protect her. That much he knew.

  He realized why she was not a great rider. If her leg didn't bend well, then of course it would hurt being slightly bent while riding.

  He had no doubts she had tried before. This girl was strong. He gave her credit for her quiet strength. And was once again struck with the thoughts swirling through his head.

  He was starting to shiver a bit in his warm coat after being out in the rain for the little he had, and here she was; in a threadbare gown and a thin cloak that were both soaked through. She wore no bonnet, gloves or anything that would suggest she was a Lady of the ton.

  And yet, she carried herself like a true lady, and she was kind. Something he didn't see very often. He wanted to know more. Know everything. Aidan sucked in a breath at that thought, and let it out, slowly. That was not something he had ever thought when he saw women around.

  He noticed up on the hillside two small bags that must belong to her. They had landed in two different places. Thankfully, everything was still secure in them, one small mercy he supposed for this girl.

  He scooped them up, tied them to his horse and walking over to where she stood, shaking, he gently scooped her in his arms. Going slow so he didn’t scare her.

  She was small compared to him, and he was able to pick her up with no trouble at all. She grabbed the saddle horn hard when he put her on the horse, and then he swung up behind her and situated her on his lap with her legs lying across his. He knew it would be more comfortable for her this way.

  He had never in his life had a female this close to him. Not like this. Not in his lap, her breasts pressed to his side and her head on his chest. He found he quite enjoyed it, and shamefully his body responded to it. He took a few deep breaths and thought about Katarina, and immediately his erection left, hopefully with her none the wiser.

  He hated that she could now see his scars up close, and hoped she wouldn’t run from him, but so far she hadn’t given any indication that they mattered at all. Aidan was grateful.

  She was snuggled up to his chest, had her eyes closed and she was still shaking, her entire body wracked with heaving shakes, and her teeth chattered together.

  He noticed her lips were blue with cold, and he knew that wasn't a good sign. She needed to get warm soon. He needed to get her home. Now. He couldn’t let anything happen to her. He knew deep inside that she was someone. Something to him. He just didn’t know what. Or why. He had to take care of her, to make certain she never had a day like the one she had today.

  Nudging the horse into a trot, then a canter and finally a full out gallop he let the horse have its head and they flew over the fields toward home. He had a good hold on her, never letting her slip free from his hold. He never would again.

  He rode straight into the stables and the stable master was shocked when he looked up from his work, to see the woman in his arms. John’s mouth hung open in shock. “John, can you hold her for a moment while I dismount?”

  John shook himself out of his stupor and reached up to take the woman into his arms. Aidan handed her down to him, and immediately wanted her back in his arms. That thought shocked him again. He didn’t like the distance between them.

  Aidan quickly dismounted and took her back. “Will you bring her bags to the house and take care of the horse?”


  John nodded, “Of course, it is my job after all.”

  Aidan smiled, knowing how John loved to tease. He turned and walked quickly to the house, trying to shield her body from the rain. She needed to be dry, not even more wet than before and through the kitchen door.

  Ida was there along with Jane, an older maid that cleaned with Mrs. Peabody. They jumped up when the door blew open. “Aidan St. Andrew, you scared the devil out of me.” Ida scolded, before she saw what he held in his arms. She looked up at him with wide eyes.

  “Ida, I apologize for startling you and Jane, but I need some help. I found her out in the storm. She has been out there for who knows how long in the elements. She is freezing from the cold and her clothes are completely soaked through. She is also bleeding from a large cut on her hand, and from somewhere else, but I didn't see where the other place was. Please get hot water for a bath ready and bring it up to the Gold room. Jane, call for my mother and sisters please. I think they need to help her undress and bathe. I know she can’t get warm, not being this cold and muddy.” Aidan knew that he was rambling, trying to explain to them what he needed and faster than they were ready for, but Rhiannon needed to get warm, and she needed to get warm now.

  Ida still looked up at him and said, “Oh, the poor dear. Just look at her.”

  He looked down at the woman in his arms. She was still shaking, and her eyes were closed, her lips a darker blue. “Ida, Jane, please. We need to do what we can for her.”

  They nodded and he turned away, heading for the stairs. He got to the main staircase just as his mother looked down from the top. “Aidan!” She cried out as she saw what was in his arms. “What in the world happened?”

  “Mother, this is Rhiannon. I found her outside in the storm.” He explained the story to her as he walked up the stairs, taking them two at a time.

  She hurried alongside him as he strode down the hallway to the Gold Room that he would put her in.

  His mother rushed to open the door and he walked in the door and went to put her on the bed. “No, Aidan. I don’t want the bed to be wet and muddy, since she will be sleeping there. Put her here.” She gestured to a settee in front of the fireplace and he set the girl down softly.

  She stirred as he put her down and finally opened those beautiful eyes of hers. She looked up into his face and smiled. “Th-thank you for h-helping me k-kind sir. W-we need to b-be careful, t-the villagers t-think there is a-a cursed b-beast around h-here. I t-think it's n-nonsense. Such s-silly nonsense. He i-is j-just a man. J-just a n-normal man. I-I w-wanted to a-apologize f-for their b-b-behavior.”

  She blinked at him as if just seeing him for the first time and said in a slurred voice, “Y-you sir, are m-much too h-handsome for y-your own good.” She let out a small giggle and reached up and caressed his face. “S-such a b-beautiful m-man. I t-think I am d-dreaming. An a-angel surely. I d-didn't know a-angels were t-that handsome. D-did I-I d-die? H-handsome m-man. I w-wish I h-had m-met y-you sooner. B-before I d-died.” And then her eyes slid shut and she didn’t reopen them.

  Aidan let out a small laugh, shocked to his core. She must be completely delusional to speak about him like that and for her to caress his face like he looked like a normal man. She must have been outside for too long and being cold for too long made her that way.

  He shook his head at the small spark of hope in his heart that some woman thought he was handsome. No one had ever called him handsome before. Aside from his family. He loved that she thought he was handsome. Even if she wasn’t fully aware.

  Aidan’s mother pushed him out of the way. “I need the tub brought in, also start the fire. She needs warmth.”

  Aidan nodded and started the fire first, knowing the heat would be best, then got the tub ready.

  After a few minutes, there was a knock on the door and it opened, revealing Jane, Ida and Mr. Peabody.

  Each had two steaming buckets of water and Aidan directed them to the tub.

  As soon as the tub was filled, Aidan and Mr. Peabody were ushered out of the room so the ladies could help the girl.

  He walked to his own room and stripped out of his wet clothes. He was getting ready to dry off with a cloth when there came a knock at the door.

  Aidan wrapped the cloth around his hips, put his robe on, and answered the door. The servants may have seen his back a long time ago, but he certainly didn’t show his scars to anyone now.

  Mr. Peabody had two more buckets of water, along with Jane. They put it in his tub and went down to get more.

  While he waited, he started his fire, and felt the chill slowly leave the room.

  Once the tub was full, Aidan was left alone. Everyone knowing he never had help from the staff, even though it was the done thing.

  Since his body had more than quite a few scars, not only on his face, but also his back, shoulders and chest. Hell, his entire back was a mish mash of flesh that didn’t quite fit together any more. Aidan didn’t want to make anyone uncomfortable seeing that.

  Aidan sat in the tub, remembering the feeling of having a woman in his arms for the first time. But he could tell she wasn’t just any woman.

  He truly had never seen a woman so beautiful before and he knew it. He had seen women in the village, and some in London before his face had gotten scarred, but no one had ever stood out to him the way this woman did.

  She had the loveliest eyes, they were so blue, almost like the sky in the early evening, or the sea on a really good day.

  She had small freckles on her nose, which normal ladies would never have since it meant being in the sun without a parasol or bonnet.

  She had dark brown hair, he didn’t quite know the exact shade, since it was wet and dark out, but it suited her perfectly.

  She also had a tiny nose that had a slight upturn at the end and when she stood up, she only reached his chest, just under his shoulder. Just like his sisters.

  He knew she had curves, since he felt her lovely breasts pressed up against his chest on the ride, but he had tried to ignore that.

  It made his body respond now again. He finished washing, not doing anything about his body’s response to his thinking of the girl.

  He got out of the tub, dried off and stood in front of the fire, drying his hair with the cloth.

  He was still nude, but he only did this for these few moments when he was alone. He had so many scars on his back that he was a little self-conscious about it.

  His mother was the only one who had, and she gave him salves to put on, and help him apply them. Sometimes places would pull and it was uncomfortable. He knew they wouldn't really help much, so he usually didn't bother applying them, but his mother made him.

  For these few minutes, it felt good to stand nude and relish it. To feel like a person, someone not to be feared or pitied. But, like Cole had promised in his letter, their quiet life alone had come to an abrupt end. He wanted his quiet home back, not to run to every beck and call from his aunt and cousin.

  He shook himself free of his musings. He wanted to know how the girl was doing, so he pulled on his small clothes, breeches, his shirt and a new pair of boots, and left his room to see about Rhiannon.

  He wished he knew why she was going to Scotland, what she was thinking walking all the way out here, in the middle of nowhere, but all his questions would have to wait.

  He made it to her door and knocked, and after a moment, heard the rustling of skirts and Rose opened the door. “I came to see about our new charge.”

  Rose smiled, “Well, when we put her in the bath, it woke her up. The bath wasn’t too hot, but mother wanted to try to warm her.”

  Aidan nodded, concerned for this girl and waited for Rose to continue. “We found the spot you told us about, the cut on her hand was cut open pretty badly and we cleaned it out the best we could and rebandaged it. Also, she has some pretty bad cuts on her knees and down one leg. And, she has a rather large scar on her leg, that looks healed, but painful. Her leg is also very swollen and red. It see
ms to bother her quite a lot. And aside from her waking the one time, she hasn’t been alert yet. She has mumbled a few things, but is pretty much too far gone at this moment. Mother wanted to try to wake her, but she thinks it's best to let her sleep. Mrs. Peabody has had Ida fix her some broth.”

  Aidan nodded, “Can I see her?” Rose’s eyebrows drew together.

  Concern etched her face. “I don’t know if that is proper Aidan.”

  Aidan grimaced, “You are here, so is Lily, mother and no doubt, Mrs. Peabody. What am I going to do to the poor girl?”

  Rose shook her head, “All right. Come in then.”

  She stood aside to let him pass through, and he noticed the girl asleep on the bed, someone had braided her hair back and it lay on the bed beside her.

  She was also clean from the bath, with no mud on her face or anywhere else.

  Good heavens without the mud covering her face she was even more beautiful than he had even realized. Seeing it bare, Aidan’s thoughts were of him with her later down the road. The two of them, together.

  His breath caught in his throat as he looked down at her small frame sleeping in the big bed.

  His mother touched him on the arm, “She is beautiful, is she not?”

  Aidan only nodded, then said quietly so only she could hear, “The most beautiful girl I have ever seen.”

  Tearing his eyes away from Rhiannon’s face, he looked down at his mother, and she smiled at him. “I will look after her tonight, hopefully she will not catch a cold, or fever. Since she was in the storm for so long, that is my biggest fear. I worry about that and the cuts she has sustained while she walked here. She must have fallen a lot and rather hard to cut herself that badly on her hand and her knees. She cut them open through her layers of skirts. They weren't as deep as the cut on her hand, but they are still something I wasn’t expecting.”

  Aidan nodded. “I saw her when she tried to walk. Her leg wouldn't even let her hold her weight. And yet, she fell and still got up to keep going. Even in pain, even bleeding and wet. She is very strong. Very determined. I feel like there is something more about her. Please keep a close eye on her and if you need some sleep, I can take over for you.”