The Duke's Lady (Historical Romance - The Ladies Series) (2 page)

Then another woman’s face flashed through his mind, and a sudden pain twisted his heart as he remembered another time eerily like the present.

Adam had only been nine when he’d found her lying in the surf much like this. He recalled the helpless feeling of a young child desperate to save her. With only the muscles of a boy, he’d not been strong enough to carry her to safety. He had screamed and cried until he grew hoarse, but no one had come. In the end, he could only hold his mother and tell her how much he loved her. Something had died within him that day.

Adam pulled off his shirt and wrapped it around the girl. She weighed no more than a feather, he thought while he held her in his arms. This time he had the strength of a man and needed no one. By God, it wouldn’t happen again!

“Here, let me hold her while you mount,” Jonathan said.

Adam glanced at his friend, having forgotten he was there. But he was loath to relinquish her.

“For God’s sake, Adam. I’ll give her back. You can’t possibly mount the horse with her in your arms.”

Adam knew Jonathan was right as he handed the child-woman to his friend while he himself mounted his horse. When he took her back, a soft moan escaped her lips, and tore through him like a burning knife. She lay lifeless, cradled in his arms. He carefully brushed a wet lock from her cheek, wishing he could ease her pain. He felt a strong urge to lightly brush his lips across her forehead, and tell her everything would be all right. But instead, he murmured, “I won’t let you die, my sweet ... On that you have my promise.”

Glancing up, he noticed Jonathan already in the saddle, smiling that lopsided grin of his. Adam gathered the reins. “Let’s make haste, and wipe that damned smile off your face!”

As they made their way up the rocky path, Adam prayed it wouldn’t be too late to save her. Abruptly he ceased, realizing he hadn’t prayed for anything in a long time. He shook off the confused feelings and concentrated on maneuvering the horse through the rocks.

Reaching the top of the cliff, he urged Star into a gallop, covering the distance to Briercliff in record time.

Jonathan stabled the horses while Adam climbed the castle’s steep stone steps at a run. He pounded on the double oak doors. With the girl held securely in his arms, he swept past an openmouthed butler as soon as the doors swung open.

“Annie! Annie!” He heard the impatience in his voice. Damn it, where was she?

A plump little Scot scurried into the hallway. “Why ye be makin’ such a ruckus? Just look at ye soakin’—oh, my lord, what have ye here?” Annie’s eyes traveled to the bundle held in his arms. “What a wee thin’ ye be carryin’.” She placed her hand on the girl’s forehead. “Why, she’s burnin’ up with fever, Your Grace! Who is the wee lass and where did ye find her?”

“I’ll explain later,” Adam said curtly. He took the stairs two at a time while Annie scurried to keep up with him.

“Which room?” he shouted over his shoulder.

“The yellow one.”

As they entered the designated bedroom, Annie rushed over to the high four-poster bed and pulled out a small wooden footstool. Stepping up, she threw back the covers. “Wait!” Annie halted him as he started to lay the girl down. “Don’t be puttin’ her down yet. Poor thing’s soakin’ wet.” Annie frowned. “And I might be addin’, so are ye. I’ll fetch some towels to dry ye both.”

Hurrying to the adjoining dressing rooms, Annie brought back a handful of soft towels and began drying the girl off the best she could while Adam held her. “These clothes will have to be disposed of.”

“I quite agree.” Adam reached for the first button of the girl’s blouse.

Annie smacked his hand. “Ye’ll no be stayin’ in here. ’Tis no place for a mon.” She raised her brow and placed both hands on her hips, reminding him she was more like a grandmother than a housekeeper.

“For Christ’s sake, I’ve glimpsed her body already.” He felt uneasy about leaving. What if she died? Yet he knew Annie was very capable.

Adam stared hard at Annie. Finally he sighed, knowing how stubborn she could be. “All right, Annie. I’ll change my clothes and be in my study should you need me.” Bending down, he laid the girl on the bed, feeling a strange reluctance to leave her in someone else’s hands—even Annie’s.

After Adam left, Annie cut the remains of what had been a shirt with a pair of shears, pulling the scraps of material from the long, angry welts. This seemed easier and far less painful for the wee one.

When she removed what was left of the lass’s chemise, something fell from the clothing and landed on her foot. She bent down and picked up a folded oilcloth that resembled a belt. Unwrapping the thick material, she found a faded brown parchment with ragged edges, indicating it had been
torn in half. Carefully, she opened the paper and stared at the scraggly lines of a drawing. A big black X had been marked in the left hand comer.

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, o
l’ 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.