Page 19 of A Virgin for the Beastly Duke

“Rosemary and sage,” she said, walking toward the greenhouse again, and he fell into step alongside her. “Belinda suggested that I visit the tenants, but I cannot meet them without any gifts.”

He was supposed to take her to Daventon and introduce her to them, but as it were, he was unable to. He had not seen them in more than four years.

The gardens were in a terrible state, but the greenhouse was worse. “Have you been to the greenhouse before?” he asked. If she had not, he would tell her to not expect to be impressed by it.

“Yes, Belinda once took me there. You have a good collection of plants, Harry.”

His name on her lips made him smile. “It is unfortunate that they have been neglected.” Cato barked and began to chase a butterfly. “How long have you had him?” she asked.

“Three years. Belinda gave him to me when he was a puppy.”

Bridget smiled. They arrived at the green house and he offered to take the basket from her. Then they ventured in to find her herbs.

“Why are you collecting only rosemary and sage?” Harry asked, growing more curious about her by the moment.

“They help with colds and fevers. I am sure the mothers would appreciate them.”

She was very thoughtful. When her father had visited him, he had told him that she had much love in her heart, and was especially sympathetic toward the helpless. He was starting to see it now.

“Yes, I am sure they would,” he murmured. “And how did you come to learn about herbs? It is not an accomplishment that many ladies of thetonboast of.”

“I read all manner of books, and my father happens to always catch a cold in the spring. He detests the remedies the physicians give him.” She picked up a pair of scissors from the basket he was holding for her and leaned over a pot filled with rosemary, carefully snipping the stalks.

“Thus, you decided to take on the role of his physician?”

She looked over her shoulder at him and lingered. Harry immediately remembered that he was out with her in daylight, and she could see his face clearly. He turned away without meaning to, and she must have noticed it because she turned away, too.

“I would have become a physician if the world had allowed it,” she answered his question softly.

“Itisa noble profession. Ancient Egyptians had female physicians.” He extended the basket for her to place the rosemary.

“Well, they were far more reasonable than we are.” She met his eye. “We are not as delicate as we seem.”

His mouth curved. She certainly was no delicate creature. Where women had swooned because of his horrendous features, she had looked at him without even flinching.

“Will you accompany me to the village? Introduce me to the tenants, perhaps?” she asked.

Harry’s hand tightened around the basket handle. “No.”

“But—“

He held up a hand. “Please do not ask or attempt to convince me. Belinda will introduce you to them.” He set her basket on the floor and bowed. “Excuse me.” Then he marched out of the greenhouse without looking at her. If he had, he likely would have felt more guilt for his manners.

In time, she would understand why he was confined to Grayfield. It was his curse.

Bridget regarded herself in the mirror as Sarah was styling her hair. She was no closer to understanding the man that Harry was than she was to restoring the castle.

“What is the matter?” Sarah asked, and Bridget sighed.

“My husband,” she said.

Sarah frowned. “There is something you should know. There is talk around the castle that your marriage has not been consummated.”

Bridget’s eyes grew wide, and her body tensed. “How do they know?”

“I do not know, but I believe someone is watching very closely.”

Anger began to simmer in her chest, but it was not directed at anyone in particular. “They will not respect me.”

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