Page 59 of A Duke in the Rough

As she turned to leave, she heard Mrs. Weatherby whisper, “And you are the best of women, my dear.”

Only as she walked back to her room, did she wonder why Drake would have taken her book.

Early the next morning,Honoria rose, dressed, and returned to Anne’s room. Mrs. Weatherby slumped in the chair by Anne’s bed, no doubt having spent the entire night there.

Honoria touched the weary woman on the arm. “Mrs. Weatherby?”

Bed linens rustled behind her, and a soft moan followed.

Honoria spun around, and Mrs. Weatherby sprang from her chair as if she were a woman half her age.

“Anne!” they said in unison.

Color had returned to Anne’s face, and she stared groggy-eyed at them. “Mother? What are you doing here? And why does my head hurt?”

“You’ve had an accident. Mr. Merrick brought me to you from Lyme.”

Anne’s brow furrowed. “An accident?”

Honoria rushed over to the bell pull, giving it a sound tug. When a footman appeared, she directed him to locate either Ashton or Dr. Marbry posthaste.

Returning to Anne’s side, Honoria said, “Don’t you remember? The fox hunt? You tried to jump over debris in the path.”

Anne’s brow furrowed. “Oh. I suppose I didn’t make it then.”

Honoria couldn’t help but smile. “You made it, but without the horse.”

Anne’s mother also expressed her delight at seeing Anne awake and lucid. “It would seem the horse had more sense than you, my dear.”

From the familiar pout on Anne’s face, Honoria grew confident she would make a full recovery.

Quick, heavy footsteps sounded, growing near, and both Ashton and Dr. Marbry raced into the room. Dr. Marbry stood by, allowing the duke to take the lead in the examination.

After taking her pulse, looking at her eyes, and asking her a few questions—which Anne complained were ridiculous—they proclaimed her out of danger.

“Why are all of you fussing? It was simply a little fall.”

Everyone exchanged a glance, and Mrs. Weatherby made the pronouncement. “It would seem my daughter is no worse for wear.”

“Even so,” Ashton said, “I recommend she remain in bed a few more days as a precaution.”

Anne crossed her arms over her chest and pouted. “And miss all the fun?”

Dr. Marbry, no doubt used to such stubbornness from Priscilla, offered a compromise. “At least refrain from any strenuous activity.” He grinned. “Such as jumping recalcitrant horses.”

After Anne agreed—albeit reluctantly—the doctors left. “Is there anything I can do for you, Anne?” Honoria asked.

“Where is Mr. Merrick? I should like to speak with him and thank him.”

All the elation Honoria experienced when Anne awoke seeped out as if a slow, unstoppable leak had pierced her heart. “I shall bring him to you.”

She searched the library, the drawing room, and the breakfast room. No one had seen him. When she came across Burwood, he stopped her, his face unusually serious.

“You appear distraught. Please don’t tell me Miss Weatherby has taken a turn for the worse.”

Honoria shook her head. “She’s awake and asking for Drake.”

“Ah.” The compassion in Burwood’s eyes did nothing to ease the ache in her heart. “He said he needed some solitude to think. I believe he’s out on the terrace.”

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