Page 80 of A Duchess Disciplined

“We are nearly there,” William said, his voice wavering just the smallest amount.

“I know,” Catherine murmured.

“I will put you to bed and send for the physician.”

It was pointless arguing with him, so Catherine remained silent and limp in his arms. He carried her up the stairs and into her bedchamber. After a while, he bent over. Catherine opened her eyes and reached behind her as he brought her down. She shifted beneath the linens and winced.

William hovered over her, his face lined with anxiety. Hannah and Hester stood at the foot of the bed, watching her with wide eyes. “Please, remain in bed,” William said, sounding as thoughhewas the one who was wounded. “For your own good.”

Catherine laughed, a little breathless. “You are worrying too much. I have told you again and again that there is no need to bother the man.”

“And I do not believe you,” he said.

Catherine grinned despite the pain. “You care about me,” she teased, “a great deal.”

William crossed his arms. “Of course, I do.”

“You know I am not made of glass.”

“Clearly, or you would have broken,” William replied. “I am going to fetch the physician.”

Before she could argue any longer, he turned on his heels and stormed from the room. Catherine sighed and let herself slump against the mattress and pillow. Her vision blurred a little at the edges, but the pain finally seemed to lessen a little. Or perhaps, she was growing more accustomed to it.

“Would you like us to leave?” Hannah asked.

“No,” Catherine said. “You do not have to leave—unless you would like to.”

Hester wrinkled her nose and considered Catherine for a heartbeat. Then, she hesitantly climbed into the bed and sidled up to Catherine, pressing against her. Hannah followed suit and sat near Catherine’s waist. She smoothed her skirts around her and eyed Catherine anxiously. Even the air seemed fraught with tension, as if the entire world had noticed her injury and was responding to it.

“I want to make certain that you are all right,” Hannah said softly.

“I know,” Catherine said. “I am deeply humbled by how much you all love me.”

“You have been very good to us,” Hester said, “and you have made our brother happy. His Grace leaves his study now. He eats meals and plays with us in the gardens.”

“Will he keep doing that?” Hannah asked. “Since you got hurt?”

“Of course, he will,” Catherine replied. “I will ensure that William keeps doing all those things for you. Accidents just happen sometimes.”

Hannah slowly nodded. “I suppose they do, but yours was frightening.”

“I am sorry for worrying everyone,” Catherine said gently. “I shall try to be more careful in the future.”

“Please,” Hannah mumbled. “But I am glad that you are not hurt.”

“We do not know if she if she is unhurt until the physician arrives,” Hester argued. “We is the only one who will know.”

“We shall see,” Catherine replied. “I suspect that your brother will insist on me remaining close to my bed for a few days, just to be certain.”

That sounded dreadful, actually. Catherine could think of little worse than being forced to remain in bed for days on end with little to no stimulation, but she would not share that vexation with the girls, of course. She had given them a fright, and it seemed only fair for there to be some manner of penance for causing everyone to worry.

Catherine bit the inside of her cheek, thinking. Remaining in bed might soothe Hester and Hannah’s worries. She supposed that was the silver lining to a terrible situation. “If I am in bed, I imagine that I shall be terribly bored,” Catherine said. “Would the both of you be willing to read to me?”

“Of course!” Hannah exclaimed. “Why, I just learned of the most intriguing novel. It is calledSense and Sensibility. I would love to read it with someone, but Hester refuses to even touch it.”

Hester shook her head. “I am sorry, but I simply do not delight in lady’s novels. I would much rather spend my time learning about something worthwhile.”

“Reading lady’s novels involves learning something worthwhile!” Hannah argued, sounding aghast. “You agree! Right, Your Grace?”

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