Cole was transfixed, “You need to get to know more about this girl. Every one of the debutantes I spoke to in London would have never been able to go through the things that she has gone through. Every last one is empty headed and they only look at me as a number or a title. They don’t even see me as a person.”
He shook his head. “Do you know how many times I have been propositioned by widows or married women of the ton? Unmarried misses have also tried. It is quite ridiculous. Of course, I have turned them all down. I will not be our father. I thought that maybe some women would keep their vows, but it seems like most women and men there have no value in marriage vows. I have met very few truly good people in London.”
Aidan sighed. “I am sorry Cole. I do appreciate you taking the role I cannot take.”
Cole waved his hand. “It is fine Aidan, truly. It has opened my eyes, and I actually enjoy going to Parliament most days. I am glad to see most of the people there are not what they seem. It feels right coming back here knowing that there is no one who is false.”
Aidan smiled. “I am glad you enjoy it. It really helps me more than you know.”
Cole smiled and the door opened to their sisters and mother. Lydia came toward them and said, “I took the liberty of sending for a lunch tray for us. I feel we will be here for quite some time.”
Aidan and Cole both thanked her and Lily shocked the room by saying, “Aidan, I was upstairs helping Mrs. Peabody to bring Katarina some more clean linens and overheard her conversation with Aunt Koryn,” she paused and Aidan nodded for her to continue.
“She told her mother that it would be in her best interest to try and spring a trap for you soon. What with the guests showing up in just days, she needs to have the engagement already in place. She will not stop until you are trapped into marriage with her. And now she wants to lie in wait somewhere and then say you accosted her somehow and you will have to marry her to protect her reputation.”
Aidan sat back startled. “I heard that she wanted to trap us, but I truly thought she would do it so it would help someone else, because she was already engaged. Are you certain she is going to set a trap for me?”
Lily nodded. “Yes. Because she knows you wouldn’t actually ask her by yourself, she wants to do the unthinkable. I heard she wants to either wait in your room until you have undressed some, and she would be there, half undressed, or have her dress ripped, and then she would scream for a maid, or do something else. But along those lines. You and Cole both need to be very careful about where you go. And make sure you have someone check every room before you go inside. We can’t have that woman be more tied to our family than she already is. It would be horrible.”
Aidan and Cole both looked at each other. “Well, I will watch your back if you watch mine.” Cole said.
Aidan grimaced. One more thing to add to his list of worries. He absolutely would not marry that woman, and after hearing the things she would resort to, he knew he would be extremely vigilant in the future.
“Cole, you probably won’t need to worry as much, but still be alert. I might end up having you take the adjoining room, knowing you are there if something happens to back me up would be the best solution.”
Cole nodded, “I can do that. It isn’t my favorite room, but for us to not get saddled with that as a wife? I would sleep on the floor. In any room of this house.”
Aidan chuckled, “Same here. We might be sleeping very lightly over the next week or so.”
Cole chuckled as well and Lydia said, “I will do my best to keep her occupied and to make sure we know where she is at all times. Katarina will not be the next Duchess if I have anything to say about that.”
Lily and Rose both nodded in agreement. “We will both help as well. You can count on us.”
Aidan thanked them all and they got started planning on ways to keep Katarina and Koryn busy, as well as where to put the guests they were going to receive, and how many more servants they were going to have to hire to come out here for this ball besides the ones they already sent for.
Cole had brought his staff from London, but they would need a small army to help out. So, they wrote another missive to send to London for help.
They also sent out a new missive. To a Miss. Julia Brown asking for her assistance in an important matter. They included a generous allowance to get her here as fast as she could arrange to be.
And hopefully, a familiar face would help the patient that was asleep upstairs.
Aidan’s mind drifted to the woman sleeping. It often did, and he welcomed it.
He knew how lovely she was, on the outside, and wanted to continue to see the loveliness on the inside as well.
As they plotted to get rid of his Aunt and cousin as soon as possible after the ball was through, his mind wandered to her. As soon as this was finished, he would go check on her.
Chapter Nine
Rhiannon
Northumberland, England Sept 1912
Rhiannon awoke in the dark and stretched her muscles. Her leg twinged with pain and she groaned at the sharpness of it. It hadn’t hurt like that in a very long time.
She knew she had overused her leg, walking more than she had since her accident, and lying in bed for a few days certainly didn’t help. Not when she normally needed to get up and stretch her leg to keep the muscles limber.
She hoped and prayed she could get walking again.
She pushed the bed curtains aside, shocked to see the bright sun shining in her windows and she looked around, not seeing a clock of any kind, she left it alone and turned slowly in bed.
Moving with care, she came to sit on the edge of her bed, and swung her legs down over the side.
There was no one in her room this time, and she missed Aidan, a little. She still could not believe how silly she was to not realize he was the Duke.
She shook her head to rid it of the folly she had committed and tried to think of how she could fix it when she saw Aidan next.
Right now, though, she needed to get up and see for herself how well her leg would hold her. It felt stiff this morning, and her leg was still swollen. But she couldn’t lie her another second, she needed to get up and move about. She needed to use the chamber pot, and her throat was dry and still hurt when she swallowed. Rhia wanted to get a glass of water to help with that.
She desperately needed a bath, and wanted to dress in clean clothes, eat some food and try to regain her strength again.
She felt a little better today, though the sickness still plagued her. Just sitting on the edge of her bed, she realized how weak she felt. How much her body was hurting from lying in a bed all day long. She never did that. And it was wreaking havoc on her now. Holding on the edge for support, she put her feet flat on the floor and pushed to standing.
Her leg gave way immediately and she dropped back down on the bed. Rhia hated this part. It was always the most difficult on her. Trying to get her leg to work again. She huffed out a frustrated sound, and tried again. Her leg held for only a few seconds and then she was back on the bed.
Rhia had to use the chamber pot rather badly, and didn’t wish to wait for someone to help her. She had to get to the bell pull, but it might take a while. She pushed to standing once more and put most of her weight on her good leg. It held her weight just fine, and she took a step forward.
Holding onto a small table by the bed, she was able to keep herself upright, and took another step, just to test her leg. To try to see if it would hold her. So far, as obvious by her previous attempts, it wasn’t ready yet. But she had to keep trying. It was the only way.
Sure enough, her leg was not up to the task yet and she crashed to the floor, hard. Landing on her injured hand, she cried out. The pain sharp and swift. She felt the stitches in her hand pull and it ached.
“Ouch!” She hissed in pain, trying to keep from pulling at her hand, she reached out and grabbed onto the end table. As she was trying to stand, her leg held a bit, but the table wobbled, making her only stability wa
ver, and she went down hard again.
This fall made some noise as both the table and she fell to the ground. She wanted to curse at her clumsiness. Before she could get back up and try again, her door burst open and Aidan and Cole ran in looking as though they had heard someone being hurt in her room. “Rhia!” Aidan shouted as he searched the room for her.
Seeing her on the floor by her bed, he ran to her side and dropped to his haunches in front of her. “Are you all right?” He asked.
She shook her head. “No, I’m not. My leg is not working. It hurts to bend, is swollen and won’t hold my weight. I tried to take a few steps, but this is as far as I could make it.”
She felt the tears gather in her eyes and she looked away from Aidan. She needed to pull herself together. These last few days had been so difficult on her, and with her leg not working at all, she felt like life was once again out of her control.
He cupped her jaw and turned her to look at him. His eyes studied her face, “Rhia, I am so sorry. It is all right, truly. Let’s get you back in bed and we will see about your leg.”
Rhia had forgotten she was in her nightdress, and her hair felt like a mess. She wished for once that he would see her in something other than a nightgown. Aidan put his arms under her legs and around her shoulders and lifted her from the floor. Heat burned in her cheeks at how she must look.
Cole had pushed the blankets back and Aidan placed her down as softly as he could. “Why were you out of bed Rhia?” He asked.
She looked away, biting her lip. “I needed a drink and, other things, but mainly, I couldn’t stand lying around another minute. I am used to being busy, and this is hard for me. All this lying about and not doing anything. I need to get moving.” She sighed, embarrassed that he found her on the floor, trying to get to where she needed to go.
“I feel a little better today and thought I could try to get where I need to on my own. I need to start to do things for myself. I didn’t want to sit around here all day hoping for someone to come around.”
Aidan looked down at her and then to his brother. “Cole, go find mother. Tell her about Rhia’s requests and then get a tray for Rhia please. I am sure she is hungry. Especially if she says she is feeling better.”
Cole nodded, looked to Rhia and said, “Are you certain you are all right?”
Rhia nodded, “It was just a small fall, nothing to worry about. It was not the worst one I have taken. This isn’t the first time I have dealt with falls and such. I’m guessing it won’t be the last either.”
Cole studied her, and after a moment, he turned and walked out. She didn’t know what he saw when he looked at her, but she didn’t say anything when he left.
Aidan hadn’t moved from where he stood next to her bed, but he said, “Would you like me to get the tub ready for you? I know you probably are longing for one. I can have it put in front of the fire if you want that.”
Rhia nodded her head. “I really would love a bath. And also, maybe some of my clean clothes. If there are any.” It was her wish, to dress in clean clothes and comb out her hair from its tangles.
Aidan looked down, “Well, Ida has been laundering most of your clothes. They were completely soaked through, so I can see if they are ready or I can get you some clothes from my sisters. They have plenty, and you are about their size.”
She nodded, “Thank you Aidan.” She was grateful for him in that moment, even though she wished it was under different circumstances.
He looked at her and smiled. “You are welcome Rhiannon.”
A shiver went through her body as he said her name in his delicious baritone. Add in his smile, and she was completely speechless. He was so handsome. Once again, she was speechless at how handsome she found him. And she was a little disconcerted at the thought. He turned and walked out, but as he did, he smiled again and left the room.
Rhia blew out a breath and sat on the bed, pondering on the handsome man who made her heart race when she saw him. Wondering why she was acting this way. Yes, this was the first time a man had even given her the time of day, but she felt it was more than that. Cole was also handsome, but her heart didn’t race when he stood beside her bed. That was only saved for Aidan. And that was something she couldn’t think on, not right now.
There came a knock and the tub was brought in by Cole and another servant. He looked a little older, but he had kind eyes when he smiled at her. They set the tub in front of the fire and she slowly stood on shaking legs.
She didn’t try to step forward though. Cole looked over at her with his eyebrows drawn together. “Do you need some help?” He was kind to offer, and she hated asking for help, but she knew she needed it. Didn’t need to fall and embarrass herself further. She bit her lip, and nodded slowly.
He walked over to her side and she had to look up at him like she did with Aidan. They looked different, but their height was the same.
His eyes crinkled when he smiled, and his grey eyes showed the smile in their depths. He was a good man, but again, she didn’t feel the racing heart like she did when she looked up into a pair of green eyes. He put his arm on her elbow, his touch didn’t make her skin tingle.
She gripped his arm and looked down at her feet. Taking a deep breath, she let it out and took a step. She knew this would hurt, but it had to be done. She wobbled and Cole helped steady her. Her leg wanted to give way. The next step she took, it did, but Cole was there supporting her.
The door opened and Aidan came in with two large buckets of steaming water. His eyes narrowed when he saw Cole holding her up. She didn’t know why they did, but Cole let go of her, “Don’t move until you have some help. I felt your leg give when you stepped.”
Aidan rushed over. “Are you all right? Did you get hurt again?”
Rhia shook her head. “Cole helped steady me.” But I wish it would have been you. She thought and put her head down. That thought coming from a place Rhia didn’t want to think about.
She felt Aidan slip his hand around her waist carefully and she grabbed his hand. Her skin under her clothes tingled where he touched her, and she thought it strange and a little disconcerting that his touch felt so different from his brother.
She wanted to think on it later. Right now, she wanted a bath. Her confusing thoughts would wait.
Her leg hurt so badly now that she was on it, and she could hardly bend it. It felt tight and unable to do what she needed it to do. She hated how badly her leg had fared, and mentally chastised herself for taking such a huge risk in walking as far as she had.
Aidan helped her slowly to the tub and each step was agony on her leg. It gave way, and more than once Aidan had to hold up her entire weight.
She bit her lip so she wouldn’t cry out and before long, it too was throbbing. Aidan looked down and saw the pain etched on her face and stopped. He gently pulled her lip out of her teeth and kept his thumb there. She looked up at him. Not believing he had touched her in such an intimate way, into his gorgeous eyes and held her breath.
“Don’t hurt this lip, beautiful girl. It shouldn’t take the punishment because you want to stay strong. You don’t always have to be strong. Not now. You aren't alone in this. I will never let you fall again.”
Rhiannon was shocked speechless. Even her thoughts were quiet. First, he called her beautiful, and second he was touching her, on her lips. This was all new for her. She liked it. Too much.
He brushed his thumb along her swollen bottom lip and swallowed hard. “I can help you be strong you know.” Tears filled her eyes and she nodded.
Someone in the room cleared their throat, and Aidan dropped his thumb. He looked over to see Cole smiling, and he stopped at the tub and put her down on a stool that was sitting close to the tub.
He looked up as his mother came in the room, followed by his sisters. Cole grabbed his arm, “Let's get out of here so they can help Rhiannon bathe.”
Aidan reluctantly left her side and walked out of the room, shutting the door behind them.
&nbs
p; Rhiannon looked at the tub, wanting nothing more than to climb into the soothing waters, knowing it would help her leg so much, but seeing how tall the tub was, she balked.
She could barely walk over to this spot in the room, not more than ten feet away from her bed, without falling. How would she get into this?
Lydia must have seen the longing on her face and also the trepidation, because she squeezed her shoulders in a side hug, “We can do this. It looks a little intimidating, but we can do this.”
She looked into the kind face of Aidan’s mother and nodded.
With Lydia’s help, Rhiannon stood and Lydia helped steady her while Rose grabbed the night shift and lifted it over her head.
Between Rose supporting her right side, while Lydia supported her left and Lily in the back, she very carefully stepped inside.
She lifted her right leg as high as she could and wobbled. When she put her foot into the warm water, she almost groaned. The next foot was tricky. Since her leg didn’t bend well, it hurt to put it over the edge. But they managed and even though she lost all her dignity, she sunk in the water and lay back.
Lydia poured some scented rose oil into the bath. And for the first time in a long time, Rhiannon felt loved and taken care of. Lily poured some water over her head slowly, getting her long tresses wet, taking care to not get the water in her eyes.
Rhia shut her eyes and let Rose, Lydia and Lily take care of her.
Lily scrubbed her hair and Rose had her sit up after that was done to help get her back, Lydia helped with her leg.
When she was clean, the women let her sit in the tub for a bit and soak. Lydia looked over at her, “Are you ready to try to get out?”
Rhia nodded, “Yes, I think I could fall asleep in here. The water works wonders on my leg.”
Lydia smiled, “All right, slowly. Let’s stand you up.”
Rhia stood carefully, and with their help got out of the tub, dried off and into a clean nightshift.
Rose helped her to sit in a chair in front of the fire and Lily combed through her hair, until the tangles were free, then she braided it.
The Duke Who Loved Me Page 13
