Page 51 of Claimed By the Duke of Ice

“Where is Nathaniel?” she asked, struggling to get up.

“Easy now,” the strange man stated as he helped her to sit up among the pillows. “You are still very weak. You mustn’t move too quickly.”

Ignoring him, Grace pushed past the sudden dizziness that struck her and weakly tried to throw her legs over the bed. Blackness swirled up to meet her again, and she felt her father’s strong arms suddenly move her back onto the bed.

“Who are you? Where is my husband?” Grace demanded to know.

“I am Doctor Crane,” the man stated calmly, “your husband’s family’s physician. He has put me in charge of your care.”

“Where is my husband?” Grace repeated, urgency filling her.

She watched as Doctor Crane and her parents exchanged a worried glance which only made her feel worse.

“Doctor, perhaps now that she is awake, you could fetch her a tonic for her pain?” Aaron Rowley suggested.

“Quite right,” Doctor Crane replied quickly, stepping away, “I shall go see to that immediately.”

“Why is no one answering me?” Grace demanded. “Where is he?” Suddenly, panic filled her, and she let out a sob. “Good heavens, don’t tell he’s hurt too. Or worse!”

“No,” her mother quickly soothed, reaching for her hand. “No, darling, Nathaniel is unharmed.”

Grace felt her body relax a little as she was made aware that her husband was alive but only for a brief moment.

“I don’t understand,” she whispered, struggling once more to get up. “Where is he?”

Susan and Aaron shared a stressful look, and then, as her father mumbled something and walked away, her mother sat down beside her.

“I’m afraid, dearest…that we just don’t know.”

* * *

“Your Grace,

“I am happy to inform you that your wife’s condition is stable, and she is awake. Her Grace shows no signs of permanent injury. However, she is vehemently requesting your presence…”

Nathaniel folded the letter again, perhaps for the hundredth time since he’d received it at the Kenstrat Estate just over an hour ago. She was going to be all right. Grace. It was going to be all right. He wanted to go to her. To hold her and see for himself. But he couldn’t move.

“You’ve been here three days,” Aunt Tabitha stated, walking up next to him. “And you’ve yet to speak about why you are here.”

Nathaniel hadn’t heard his aunt enter the room, but he was not surprised at her presence. His mind was too focused on other things to care. Staying still, he only turned his eyes toward her and tucked the letter back into his pocket.

“I needed some space,” he said curtly. Immediately, his mind’s eye flashed back to when Grace fell. When her face shifted into his mother’s. When the past collided with the present. He flinched at the ache of it all.

“If you do not wish to have me here, I can make other arrangements,” he added, matter-of-factly.

“That’s not what I meant,” Aunt Tabitha sighed, shaking her head. “You are always welcome in my home, and you know that.” She paused, trying to catch his eye.

“But it is no secret that you and I have been at odds since taking on your new wife. So, if you came here to get away, it only tells me that things are rather dire.”

Not meeting her eyes, Nathaniel took a step away from her and stared out the window.

“It is indeed,” he agreed.

“Then lay down your burden,” Aunt Tabitha urged, following him. “Tell me what she’s done!”

“What she’s done?” Nathaniel thought incredulously.

“I will not speak of it,” he replied quickly, his tone commanding. “Do not press me further, Aunt. I need my space. If you cannot give it to me, I will indeed take my leave for somewhere else.”

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