Page 69 of Fit for a Duke
Chapter Eighteen
Clio woke the following morning, feeling battered and bruised yet highly relieved. Relieved that Ezra’s life had been spared and the mystery solved. She was also glad that Salford had not been guilty of anything worse than courting her for her fortune. He was a conniving and unpleasant man, but she had found it difficult to believe him capable of murder or of being patient enough to develop such a convoluted plan. Had the situation gone in his favour, she imagined that she would have endured a long and unhappy marriage to a man who squandered her wealth upon his mistress, Lady Walder. She shuddered at the prospect.
‘You should rest this morning, miss, after your ordeal,’ Daisy said stubbornly, fussing around Clio when she insisted upon dressing. ‘The duke was most particular on the point.’
‘The duke does not tell me what to do.’
‘Everyone below stairs and in the drawing room, I hear, wondered where you were last night. And why the duke had bruised knuckles. I didn’t know what to say to all the questions put to me.’
‘I hope you said nothing.’
‘Mr Godfrey frowned at anyone who dared to persist,’ Daisy replied, giggling. ‘I just said that you were not feeling well, but not why. Even so, I am that worried about you, miss. You could have been murdered, or worse.’
Clio smiled, wondering what could possibly be a worse fate than death in Daisy’s vivid imagination. It didn’t take her long, and she admitted that her maid could well have been correct. She also knew that Daisy must be burning with curiosity. Mr Godfrey might have dropped a few hints, but no matter how fond he was of Daisy, his loyalty lay with Ezra and he would not have told her the complete truth.
‘What time is it?’ Clio asked.
‘Almost noon, miss.’
‘Good heavens, why did you let me sleep for so long? I never sleep so late, as well you know.’
‘The duke said I was not to—’
‘I don’t want to hear it, Daisy. You are in my employment, not the duke’s.’
‘We only want what is best for you, miss,’ Daisy said, causing Clio to regret her strident tone.
‘I know you do, Daisy, and I thank you for it, but neither the duke nor any other man will tell me what to do.’ She pushed aside her half-eaten breakfast and stood. ‘I shall take a walk in the gardens.’
‘Do you think you should? You took a bump to the head, and heads are funny things. There’s no telling what they might do when they’ve been bumped. My old nan took a tumble and wandered naked through the village at midnight not long after. It caused quite a scandal.’
Clio assured Daisy that she had every intention of keeping her clothes on. ‘I shall not go far or be long,’ she added.
‘Would you like me to come with you, miss, just in case you come over all queer?’
‘Thank you, Daisy, but I am sure I shall be fine.’
Clio didn’t feel fine, but she would not have made that admission for any consideration. She hoped that fresh air, solitude and the opportunity to think would clear her head and restore her sense of reason. So much had happened so quickly but at least Ezra’s life was no longer under threat, and for that she felt a huge sense of relief. The feelings that she had developed for him were of no consequence. She would no doubt recover the moment he left her aunt’s estate, common sense would be restored to her and she would be herself again.
She had wondered, given the ferocity of his protective instincts, the fact that he had kissed her and actively seemed to seek out her company, whether Ezra returned her feelings in some small capacity but dismissed the possibility out of hand. She was too young and not nearly well enough born to hold his interest. He had claimed to have no interest in Lady Walder, but she had observed them together and it had been clear that he was drawn to the more mature and more experienced female.
‘I should have known that you wouldn’t obey orders.’
Clio was startled out of her reverie, her abiding regret, by the deep, gravelly sound of Ezra’s voice.
‘Whose orders?’ she asked, feigning annoyance at the interruption and devoting her attention to Merlin, who gambolled up to her on ungainly legs, demanding to be petted. ‘I do not answer to anyone in this house other than my aunt.’
‘I have sent Salford away with a flea in his ear. He will not bother you again,’ Ezra replied, falling into step with her.
‘You needn’t have done that. I am surprised that he went, though. The arrogant man seemed to think that he would be able to persuade me to marry him.’
‘I assured him differently.’
Clio glanced up at him. ‘Whatever could you have said to him, you of all people? I know you do not like one another and so anything you tell him to do is likely to result in the opposite…well, result.’
‘Lady Walder has left too. She has given up on me and Salford has taken the opportunity to console her.’
‘You are talking in riddles.’ Tiring, Clio lowered herself onto a garden bench and Ezra sat beside her. ‘Have the goodness to explain yourself.’
