Page 62 of If Not for the Duke

Sterling nodded reluctantly. He had the feeling that wasn’t completely true, but his questions weren’t getting him anywhere.

He departed soon afterward. Perhaps he’d be better off speaking with Ludham to see if that brought any information to the surface. He was also going to have another conversation with Lena and discover why she was so convinced Clarke was wrong.

Chapter Sixteen

Lena blinked insurprise at Foster’s beaming smile when he opened the door of Renwick House the following day.

“Good afternoon, Miss Wright. What a pleasure to see you.” He swept his arm toward the interior of the home in a welcoming gesture, something he’d never done before. “Please come in.”

“Thank you.” Lena stepped cautiously inside, puzzled at the change in the butler’s demeanor. “I was wondering if Lady Bernice was feeling well enough to receive callers.”

“I’m certain she’ll make an exception for you. If you’d like to wait in the reception room, I’ll advise her you’re here.” His smile turned even brighter, leaving Lena to continue to stare at the servant in disbelief.

“Thank you, Foster.”

Much quicker than she’d expected, she was shown into Bernie’s sitting room, where her friend was resting on the settee with a woven blanket on her lap and a book by her side. “Lena, how lovely of you to call.” She started to rise only to pause when Lena waved her back.

“Please don’t move on my account,” Lena said then dipped into a brief curtsy. “You look far too comfortable to disturb.”

“I confess I haven’t regained my strength since the other night.” She gestured toward the nearby chair for Lena to sit, then touched her head as if to check to see if the bump was still there.

“I think that is normal. Ella had the same experience when she was struck on the head a few years ago.” Lena studied Bernie, noting her pale face and the tightness around her eyes. “How is your head? Still aching?”

Bernie glanced at the doorway. “A little, but please don’t tell Sterling or my aunt,” she whispered. “They are already driving me mad with their overprotectiveness.” She sighed. “My head is improving, but I’m sure it will take another day or two. Sterling acts as if I should be recovered completely or something must be wrong. It reminds me of my youth, and those years are nothing I want to relive.”

“You were often ill?” Lena couldn’t imagine enduring a lengthy illness, especially with a father less than patient or supportive.

“My heart doesn’t always beat at a steady pace. It frightened me when it first happened. The more it scared me, the more often it seemed to occur. Father had doctor after doctor examine me, insisting they should be able to heal me. When that didn’t happen, he began to believe the fault was mine.” She closed her eyes briefly, which told Lena just how painful the memories were. “I tried very hard to fix it without success.”

“I’m sure the strain didn’t help your condition.” Sympathy filled Lena for the scared little girl with no mother or sisters to comfort her. “Thank goodness you had Sterling.”

“Yes.” Bernie forced a smile. “But life was difficult when he was gone at school. I found it easier to remain in bed, feigning illness even when I was well just so I wouldn’t have to face Father.”

“How clever of you.”

Bernie frowned. “Clever? I think you mean cowardly.”

“Not at all,” Lena insisted. “What purpose would be served by enduring your father’s unhelpful comments? Better to preserve your strength and mental fortitude.”

The younger woman seemed to consider that before slowly nodding. “I suppose I never thought of it quite like that.”

“Self-preservation is a skill everyone should learn.” Lena knew that from personal experience. How often had she avoided questions, changed the subject of conversations, or outright lied to avoid speaking of her gift? More times than she could count. She didn’t like having to do so but felt she had little choice. Not if she wanted to keep her ability a secret.

“How interesting.” Bernie stared at her in surprise. “I will have to think upon that. It certainly changes how I’ve always thought of myself.”

“What does?” Sterling asked from the doorway. Then his gaze shifted to Lena, quickening her pulse. “Good afternoon.”

Lena stood to curtsy and did her best to hide her reaction. “And to you, Your Grace.”

When Sterling’s attention returned to his sister, Lena took the opportunity to study him. He truly was handsome, his features refined, giving him an aristocratic look. His honey-colored hair was a variety of shades and made her long to run her fingers through it. The careless tousle of the waves made it look like he had recently done that very thing.

Then those compelling brown eyes that seemed to see right through her latched onto her again, stealing her breath. Was that heat in their depths or was she imagining things? Even so, her body warmed in response.

Her reaction to him remained a puzzle. She wanted to share another kiss with him, yet a small part of her insisted she keep her distance if she wanted to remain safe.

She no longer wanted to be safe.

The realization came as a surprise. A shock even. Especially since she knew any sort of true relationship with him was impossible when she had to keep her ability a secret.

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