The Accidental Duke (The Mad Matchmaking Men of Waterloo Book 1) by Devlin, Barbara (love letters to the dead .TXT) 📕

Anthony, she said, “My lord, permit me a moment to change out of my traveling gown, and I will join you in the drawing room, posthaste.”

“Er, I beg your pardon, Lady Rockingham, but I must correct your presumption.” The doctor nodded to the henchmen, who shoved Anthony, and he lost his balance and stumbled across the threshold. At once, she reached out to steady him. “Under the circumstances, and at His Grace’s request, you will share accommodations with Lord Rockingham for the length of your visit.”

Stupefied, given the odd arrangement, Arabella blinked and searched for a reply. Any reply. Yet, words eluded her.

The footmen carried in the trunks.

“You cannot be serious,” Anthony declared with an expression of incredulity, as he righted his coat, and the servants vacated the immediate vicinity. “After all, this is my family home, and my usual rooms are located in the east wing.”

“Not on this visit, I am afraid.” Shaw lifted his chin and sniffed. “To foster a spirit of amity and encourage procreation, I recommended a different approach, which His Grace has seen fit to endorse, so you will both reside in a single chamber. Once Lady Rockingham is with child, we may revisit the subject of your private quarters.”

“What on earth? Do you expect me to breed like a mare at Tattersalls?” Not that Arabella protested in regard to her husband, because she enjoyed Anthony’s company, but the situation only affirmed her suspicions, and a chill ran through her blood. The duke intended to enact his plan, to the letter, which did not bode well for her or her tortured soldier. “Really, this is beyond the pale, and I warn you, Dr. Shaw, if your less than graceful associates so much as scowl at Lord Rockingham, much less put their hands on him, one more time, I shall be moved to violence. In the future, you will address his lordship with all due respect of his station and extend to his person the courtesy owed his rank, else I will fight you at every turn. Let us see how His Grace appreciates that when he has no heir beyond Lord Rockingham. Who do you think he will blame for your failure?”

“Apologies, Lady Rockingham, if I caused offense, because that was not my intent.” Shaw snapped his fingers, and the pair of dolts returned to the hall. For good measure, she shook her fist in their wake. “Take a moment and settle your things, and when you are ready you may ring for an attendant to escort you to the drawing room, whereupon we will discuss the conditions for your impromptu holiday.”

“Holiday? Is that what you call it?” Snorting, Anthony drew Arabella to his side, and she slipped her arm about his waist. “I consider it unlawful imprisonment, and I shall seek proper redress from the appropriate authorities, once I return to London. I promise, you will not get away with this, Shaw.”

“Please, do not overreact, my lord.” The doctor folded his arms and knitted his brows. “Then again, such drama is a symptom of your ailment, so I cannot hold you at fault. As I said, we can talk over the terms of your therapy, after you have tidied yourself and gathered your wits.”

“My wits are gathered.” Anthony stiffened, and she dug her fingers into his ribs. At once, he calmed. “And I promise, you will pay for this indignity.”

“Have a light repast prepared to sustain us until dinner, given we were starved of food during our trip here. And I should like tea.” Drawing herself up, she summoned every ounce of high dudgeon befitting a marchioness. “Now, you are excused.”

With that, Arabella slammed shut the door.

Pressing a finger to her lips, she bade Anthony remain silent. When he nodded, she grabbed his arm and led him through the sitting room, into the bedchamber, and closed the heavy oak panels.

“Oh, Anthony, this is dreadful.” She turned to face him and tried not to panic. Then she panicked and gripped the lapels of his coat. “Whatever are we to do?”

“What can we do?” He glanced about their quarters and splayed his arm. She threw herself into his embrace, and he kissed her forehead. In a low voice, he said, “Somehow, it will be all right, but until we identify a means of escape, we must comply. We must give every impression that we cooperate with and support Dr. Shaw in his mission. Whatever we do, we cannot give him any reason to separate us.”

“You must be joking, because I am not sure I could survive a single night in this house of horrors, much less on my own. I should run amok.” With a huff, she pushed free. To the rear of the elegant room, she located a large closet. In the opposite corner, behind an oriental screen, she found a washstand and a large tub. At the foot of a massive four-poster bed, she paused to contemplate their predicament. She snapped her fingers and gestured. “What about the window?”

“That was my first thought.” Peering below, he shook his head. “We would never make it. There is no trellis, and the landscaping is too steep. I suspect we would break our necks were we to try.”

“Oh.” Perched on the edge of the bed, she slumped her shoulders. There had to be some way to break free of the evil doctor. She just needed to think. “What about the servants? Do you know any? Is there anyone in residence who might be sympathetic to our plight?”

“None of which I am aware.” Anthony frowned. “It has been years since I spent any time here, and my nanny has long since been dispatched. The butler died last summer, and I am unfamiliar with the current staff, I suspect by design, so I am of no use to us there.”

“That is too bad. There must be someone willing to provide assistance.” Arabella tapped her chin. From every conceivable position, the situation seemed hopeless. Thus far, she had met only