Duchess Beware (Secrets & Scandals Book 2) (26 page)

Daniel gritted his teeth against releasing his own bitter tears.  Silver needed him right now.  Wiping the wetness from his eyes with his sleeve, he settled in the bed beside her.  Leaning against the headboard, he pulled her into his arms, right up against his breaking heart.  “That isn’t true, love,” he replied, wrapping the covers around her shaking body.  “Your husband loves you very much and would die without you.”  He didn’t think she could hear his words.  She cried so hard.  Deep, gut-wrenching sobs that tore him up inside.

Never before had he seen Silver cry.  She hadn’t shed a single tear because of his grandmother’s deplorable behavior upon her arrival at Huntington, nor after the incident at the asylum.  Silver hadn’t even cried when he’d treated her so horribly the night of her debut.  But she cried now.  He pressed a kiss to her hot temple.  She cried now because she couldn’t bear the thought of him not loving her.

Daniel closed his eyes, regret searing his very soul.  How would he ever make things right?  One thing gave him hope, though.  His arms tightened around her, the faint scent of roses rising up to him.  She still loved him.

When Silver finally quieted, he fished the cloth out of the bowl and squeezed the water out with his free hand.  “Perhaps I should do away with that foolish husband of yours,” he said, thinking she had fallen asleep, and started to clean the salty streaks from her fever-stained cheeks.

“Oh, please don’t do that,” she mumbled, her eyes fluttering open briefly.  “Our baby might need his father one day.”

The cloth tumbled from his hand.  “What?”

“But you mustn’t tell him,” she said, her words thick with sleep.  “I need to find somewhere for Prudence to live before he learns I am with child and divorces me.”

Several minutes passed before Daniel could think straight, his thoughts and emotions whirling with shock, guilt, shame, and regret.  They were going to have a baby?

Hearing her breathing go deep and even, he felt her relax against him.  Lifting a trembling hand, he slid it down over her stomach.  Her skin felt even hotter than before, and he swallowed, trying not to panic.  Moving his hand in a small circle, he noticed the slight lump.

Daniel groaned.  “Oh, Silver.”  He closed his stinging eyes and tightened his arms around his wife.  “What have I done?”

Chapter Twenty-four

Daniel scowled at the closed mahogany door momentarily before resuming his pacing.
 
He ploughed his hand though his hair for the thousandth time since the doctor arrived.  The bloody man had been in there too long.  His heart skidded to a halt, and he turned again to stare at the door.  What if something was wrong?

He had just taken a step forward when the door swung open, and the doctor stepped out.  With his heart beating in his throat, he stormed to the middle-aged man.  “How is she, Dr. Benson?”

The doctor nodded his graying head.  “Resting as comfortably as possible, Your Grace.  The fever is down, which is a good indication Her Grace is on the mend.”

His heart started to settle back into place.  “And the babe?”

Dr. Benson smiled and placed a reassuring hand on Daniel’s shoulder.  “All is well with the babe, Your Grace.”

He closed his eyes, taking his first deep breath of the day.  “Can I see her now?”

“Of course.”  The doctor stepped from the doorway.  “I will return in a few hours to check on things.”

Apprehension swelled within Daniel as he ambled into the room and closed the door behind him.  Shoving his hands into his pockets, he edged forward.  Bright morning light streamed in from the windows, and dust motes danced up and down the sunbeams.  His steps slowed as he approached his wife, trying like hell not to be so nervous.  Silver’s wavy red hair spilled over the white pillow, though some of the ruby ringlets remained plastered against her damp, wan face.  Thankfully, the two patches of red on her sunken cheeks had faded a bit.

Just as he stopped beside the bed, her eyes fluttered open.  Would she recognize him this morning?  Every time she woke last night, she believed him an angel.  He bit the inside of his lip.  Dear Christ, she told him so many things.  She talked of her mother’s death and of her life at Pennington Manor, and he marveled her feisty spirit hadn’t been broken.  He also wanted to go to Kelmscott and rip those inconsiderate people—her so-called family—limb from ruddy limb.

Then Silver had spoken of him, her every word finding a mark in his tattered heart.  Yet throughout the night, Daniel’s resolve to win back his wife’s affection hardened like stone.  He would not fail, or he would die trying.

Her eyes appeared red-rimmed and glassy.  Perhaps the fever still had a good grip on her.  Then her eyes focused on him, her gaze sharpening.

“Hello, Silver.”  His smile wouldn’t hold.  With his heart hammering and his insides twisted with apprehension, he sat on the chair next to the bed and awaited her reaction.

She opened her mouth, but before she said anything, the door flew open and Connor stormed into the room looking ready to do murder.

“Goud God, lassie, wha’ has happened tae ye now?”

“Connor,” she said, her voice gravelly and weak.

Daniel rose and faced the large Scot.  “Silver has been ill with a fever.”  He prayed the man would see that she was on the mend then leave quickly.  There were so many things to sort out with his wife.

Instead, Connor frowned.  “Was it her wound?  Did it fester?”

Guilt knifed through Daniel, and he concentrated on keeping his voice even and his hands from shaking.  “No, it wasn’t from that.  The fever came on from being caught out in the rain,” he said, his stomach clenching on how that sounded, as though he wasn’t the real reason Silver was so ill.  Well hell, he truly did not feel up to a sound thrashing from the large Scot at the moment.  No matter how much he bloody well deserved it.

Daniel glanced over his shoulder and found she had fallen back to sleep. 
Damn.
  He had a lot to apologize for and the sooner the better.

“Is she goin’ tae be all right, man?”

He nodded.  “Yes, she’ll be fine.”  He would make certain of that.

Seeing more questions brewing in his brother-in-law’s dark blue eyes, Daniel nodded for Connor to follow him to the other side of the room.  “Did you find Merrick?” he asked, his voice low.

A slow smile spread across the man’s lips.  “Oh, aye.  Wi’ the help of a few friends of mine.”

Some of the weight Daniel had been carrying on his shoulders fell away.  “What did you do to him?” He wanted to be certain Merrick would no longer be a threat to his wife.  The thought of what that man had done to Silver made his blood boil.

Connor’s smile widened.  “Merrick has been called for duty aboard the
Mary Alice
.”

He lifted his brows, surprised.  From his trade business, he knew of that ship.  “Are you certain of this?”

“Saw him board myself,” Connor said with a nod.  “And watched the ship depart.”

So, Victor Merrick had been ensnared by a press gang.  He nearly chuckled.  The man wouldn’t last above a month. 

Good.

****

Silver thought her head must be made of lead and two sizes too big.  The skin on her body was hot and tight. 
It must be a fever
. She tried to focus on the dark blob looming over her.

The shape became defined and she swallowed.  Daniel.

Then he said something and sat slowly on the chair next to the bed.  Her gaze left his, noting his unkempt appearance.  She’d never seen him like this before.  His disheveled hair hadn’t seen a comb in a while and whiskers darkened his cheeks and chin.  The sleeves of his rumpled shirt were rolled up to his elbow, the collar open at the throat.  He wore no waist coat.  No neck cloth.

How odd.

Lifting her gaze back to his face, Silver saw the fatigue in the depths of his dull green eyes and how lines marred his forehead and bracketed his unsmiling lips.

What had happened?
  Memories stirred and she recalled leaving Huntington.  The carriage. 
Oh, how could she have forgotten those men!
  “Are…” She cleared her rusty throat.  “Are Garrett and Molly all right?”

Daniel’s eyes widened before he answered.  “They are both fine.”

She drew her brows together, more perplexed.  “Prudence?  Your grandmother or Victoria?” Why wouldn’t he tell her what terrible thing had happened for him to look so dreadful.

“Everyone is fine,” he said softly.

Instead of being relieved, she grew more nervous.  Regret sounded in his voice.  “Then I don’t understand…”  She halted, her gaze slicing back to Daniel, the light beginning to dawn. He knew.  Oh, dear God, he found out about the baby.  Molly must have said something.  And he hadn’t taken the news well at all.  She recalled his threat of divorce if he found her with child, and her heart knotted with fear, knowing what was to come.

What was she to do?  Where would she and Prudence go?

Connor!  She was certain she had heard his voice earlier.  But would he be willing to take her and Prudence to Scotland?  Would her brothers allow her to stay?  She bit her lip.  They had sent her away once before.  If they wouldn’t let them stay, perhaps she could beg a loan, at least until she found employment.  She could also sell Fiona.  Yes, that might work.

Daniel shifted in the chair.  “Silver—”

“I would like to see Connor.”

His brows drew slowly together.  “I have some things to discuss with you.”

Her insides shook with terror at his words.  She knew what he was going to say, and she didn’t want to hear it.  “I need to see my brother.  Right away.”

“What I have to say is most important.”  He leaned forward, making her shrink back against the pillows.  “This cannot wait.”

Silver swallowed, her throat hot and tight.  She could not bear to hear their marriage was over and she would have to leave.  No, she would settle things with her brother and just go.  “Please,” she whispered, her emotions raw, “I must speak with Connor first.  Then I will hear whatever it is you want to say to me.”  She was startled to find a teardrop sneaking down her cheek.

She was even more startled when Daniel reached out and brushed the wetness away with his thumb.  Such a tender touch, she closed her eyes.  Longing struck so suddenly, it nearly snatched the breath from her body.  She didn’t want things to end with her husband.  She didn’t want to leave him.  She loved him desperately.

“All right, I will send Connor in.”  He rose, his eyes roving her face for several seconds.  “But we will talk afterward.”  Then he walked from the room.

Not even three minutes passed before Connor threw open the door and hurried forward.  Silver was relieved he had come alone.  As her brother neared, she frowned, noticing the dark smudges beneath his eyes and how his face drooped with fatigue.  He had been gone a long time, out searching for Victor, she recalled.  Fear made her heart lurch and her mouth go dry.  But she had to know what had happened.

“Did you find him?” she asked and held her breath, afraid of the answer.

“Aye, lassie.  And ye never need tae worry with him again.”

Something in Connor’s eyes, something hidden and dangerous told Silver she didn’t want to hear the details.  She relaxed against the pillows.  “Thank God.”

“Ye feeling weel, lass?” he asked, taking the chair beside the bed.  The wood creaked under his weight and he went still, obviously afraid it would buckle beneath him.

She nodded and took a deep breath, deciding to hurry with her request.  If she didn’t ask now, she might not ever do so.  “I have a favor to ask of you, Connor.”

He leaned forward, making the chair creak louder.  “Anything, lassie.  Just ask.”

“Escort Prudence and me to Scotland,” she said in a rush.

His brows shot up.  “I dinna kin.”

Oh, how would she tell him she was leaving here for good?

“Ye wish another visit, lass?  I’m sure when ye feel better Huntington will—”

“No.”  She shook her head as exhaustion came crashing over her of a sudden.  Struggling to keep her eyes open she reached for her brother’s hand.  “Not to visit.  To live there.”

His head jerked back in surprise.  “Live there?  Lassie ye make no sense.  Has the fever returned?”

Silver fought to keep awake.  She squeezed Connor’s hand, knowing she was running short of time.  “Prudence and I must leave here right away.  We have no choice.”

“But why?”

Another tear popped out of her eye and skidded down her cheek.  This would not be easy to say.  “Because Daniel wishes it so.”

The surprise lifted and Connor’s face went tight and dark.  His eyes glistened with fury.  “I’ll kill him.”

He started to rise, but she held on to his hand with all her strength.  “No, Connor, don’t.  Just take us to Scotland, will you?  Please?”

A muscle ticked in his clenched jaw.  Then he gave a sharp nod.  “Aye.  When ye feel better—”

“No.  We have to leave today.  Now, if you have a carriage.”

He didn’t speak for several seconds, as though he were trying to sort out what was going on.  “Aye, I have a carriage,” he answered softly.

She tried to smile.  “Thank you, Connor.  Will you inform Prudence we are leaving?”  Her eyes wouldn’t stay open.

His voice sounded distant, and Silver could no longer fight the fatigue.  Now that Connor would help her, she could relax a bit.  She’d rest her eyes for a few minutes, just until he readied the carriage.  Then they would be on their way.

Daniel paced the antechamber, trying to sort out exactly what he would say to Silver.  He paused and looked up at the gold florid molding.  Just how in the hell would he convince her to forgive him?  Nothing sounded right.  He blew out a breath, his gaze sliding to the closed door.  Why did she wish a meeting with her brother?  What was so important that it couldn’t wait a few minutes?

A strange foreboding settled over him.  He didn’t like this.  Something wasn’t right. He reached for the knob when the door jerked opened.  The look on Connor’s face made him take a step back.  His brother-in-law was ready to murder someone.

“Connor, what—”

“Ye best tell me what ye’ve done tae upset my sister, Huntington,” the man said, closing the door behind him.  “And then I’ll decide if ye live.”  He stood there, blocking the doorway, and crossed his arms.

Daniel’s first reaction was a spurt of outrage.  How dare anyone speak to him like that?  He was the Duke of Huntington.  Then every cruel word he’d ever said to Silver, every cruel thing he had ever done to her came crashing down on him.  He blew out a breath, suddenly deflated.  Exhausted.  He deserved whatever punishment the large Scot would give to him, even more, and he bloody well knew it.

He mopped a hand down his face.  “I accused her of something.  But I was wrong.”

Connor’s eyes narrowed to slits.  “What did ye accuse her of?”

Daniel really didn’t want to answer that, but he knew how he would react if it were Torie.  He squared his shoulders and steeled himself for the blow to surely follow his words.  “Adultery.  But I was wrong,” he added quickly.

“Adultery?” Connor repeated, his brows shooting up in surprise.  Then his scowl returned.