Page 72 of Raising the Duke’s Unexpected Twins

“And what do you know about love, Leonard?”

Nicholas noticed a slight tick in Leonard’s jaw. “I know more than you think, cousin, but as you know, it is not for me. However, I can spot the affliction in others.” He grinned.

Nicholas groaned again and leaned back in his seat. “Let’s talk of something else. Tell me about Wexford. Any changes in the rumors he’s been spreading? Or did our performance at the ball curb his strength?”

Darren appeared again and cleared his throat, grabbing Nicholas’s attention. “Your Grace, another note has arrived. Shall I put it upstairs?”

“Yes. Please do. I will go in a few minutes. Any other notes you can place upstairs. Thank you.”

Darren nodded and left, looking tense. Nicholas frowned, wondering why Cordelia was sending him so many notes. He’d only been gone for a couple of hours, and couldn’t she understand that he was not ready to have any sort of conversation about what happened? Surely, she too would not wish to see him so soon?

Leonard watched Darren leave. “You’re not going to see what she wrote you?”

“I’m sure she just wants to finish whatever we started.”

“I’m sure she does,” Leonard said with a cheeky grin.

Nicholas shook his head. “No. I left in such an awkward fashion that I’m sure she’s confused and wants to know why I left. I don’t know. Just tell me about Wexford.”

Leonard sighed. “He’s still fuming and discussing you, yes. He has his plans in mind, I’m sure. But it’s been too long now that no one seems to pay him any mind. They’ve moved on to other gossip. I think your ‘performance’, as you call it, did good work. No one could say that those two people did not wish to be wed, especially when you practically threw Lord Dempshaw to the side to dance with her.”

Nicholas could feel color rising in his cheeks. “I think I will go upstairs now.” He could hear Leonard laughing at his back as he left the private room and took the stairs to his study. It took him nearly half an hour as he spoke to staff and other guests, but once he was there, he spied the notes but busied himself with other tasks, his mind returning to them every so often.

He made new orders, signed money orders, organized the account book and sent off a few letters. Hours later, he finally pulled the notes toward him and took a breath. He reluctantly tore open one of the notes.

You are needed. Can you return? The first note read.

His heart beating fast, he tore open the other. Please. It’s Tim. Come home.

Without a second thought, Nicholas left, cursing himself for having waited so long and cursing the rain for continuing to pour.

CHAPTER 24

“Where could the doctor be?” Cordelia asked Mrs. Wright as she knelt by Tim’s bed, her hand pressed to his hot forehead.

The older woman looked worried, staring out of the nursery window at the rain beyond. “The physician must be delayed due to the rain. I have not seen it rain like this for a long while.”

When Cordelia had awoken, the rain had been like a mesmerizing rhythm, making everything warm and cozy, with Nicholas in her arms. And then he’d left as if he couldn’t get away fast enough. She’d risen slowly, dressed, and when she’d come to see the children in their rooms, she was surprised to see Tim still asleep. But Mrs. Browning was with him, worrying over his bed.

“Oh, Your Grace. I was hoping he would rally before you rose, but he seems to be ill this morning.”

Mrs. Browning had tried to be hopeful, but when Cordelia saw Tim’s heated face and closed eyes, she panicked.

“Send for the doctor, Mrs. Browning,” she’d told the young woman, and the nanny had rushed off.

Since then, Cordelia had not left Tim’s side, feeding him broth, placing a cool compress on his head. But the doctor had not yet arrived. Olivia was playing quietly in the corner, looking sullen. Mrs. Browning was with her, and they spoke little.

She had not changed out of her dressing gown, nor had she done her hair. It hung in a braid off one shoulder, and she could practically feel the dark circles under her eyes as they waited.

“I suppose you’re right,” she told Mrs. Wright. “Well, the only thing we can do is try to get the fever down.”

“I will get more cool water, Your Grace,” Mrs. Browning suggested, getting to her feet. “I nursed all of my siblings at one time or another.”

Cordelia smiled weakly. “You are kind, Mrs. Browning, but I think your presence comforts Olivia. Please. We can have one of the footmen do it.”

She nodded and returned to Olivia’s side, whispering comforts in her ear.

“I will instruct the footman and gather more cloths, Your Grace.”