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Not because Sterling was in the least concerned about arousing the earl’s displeasure, but because Elizabeth’s continued welfare had become of paramount importance to him.That welfare might be threatened if the earl should learn that Elizabeth had fled only as far as the neighboring estate to ask for Sterling’s protection. A protection Sterling knew he would gladly give her for as long as she wished for it.
“I am Dr. Harlow, Lady Marshall,” the older man now told her soothingly. “His Grace has asked me to examine you to see if you have suffered any serious injuries.”
Sterling had also cautioned the doctor, very firmly, in regard to revealing to anyone the name of the patient he had been called upon to visit at Bristol Manor in the middle of the night.
“He is so very kind.” Elizabeth bestowed a warm smile on Sterling before turning to the doctor. “I do not believe anything is broken. I am only very badly bruised.”
Sterling had never heard himself referred to as kind before, let alone very kind. Nor was he sure it was true of him now. Or if he would have reacted with such urgency in sending for the doctor if that woman had been anyone other than Elizabeth.
Perhaps if it had been his cousin, Gwen, or one the new wives of two the other Ruthless Dukes. But otherwise, Sterling believed, after sending for the doctor to attend her, he would have distanced himself from the woman and the situation.
But when it came to Elizabeth, he found it difficult to leave her side, even for a second.
He did so now, and allowed Peggy to take his place, only so that she could help remove her mistress’s clothing and then assist her into her night rail. He knew it would make it easier for the doctor to examine Elizabeth more thoroughly if she was not hampered by so much clothing.
Sterling used that time to first go to his study to write several letters, then seek out and issue further instructions to Jimmy, before he returned to his study to partake of a much-needed glass of brandy. As he sipped the fiery liquid, he considered,having sent Jimmy to deliver the necessary letters, what his next move should be.
Instinct and outrage demanded he pay Whitlow a visit at the earliest opportunity and make him suffer as Elizabeth had and still did.
It made Sterling wince to think of how afraid Elizabeth must have felt as she began to fall. The pain she would have suffered as her body came into contact again and again with the long wooden staircase as she tumbled down, before she landed on the hard tiled floor below.
Sterling took another large swallow of brandy at the realization she might have been killed.
Once Elizabeth had confirmed the sequence of the events of the past thirty-six hours, as related to him by her maid, and Sterling was assured Elizabeth had not suffered any lasting damage from her fall, he fully intended to pay Whitlow that visit.
A part of him wished it was to inflict the same bodily harm as Elizabeth had suffered, but good sense told him that would not resolve the situation, but instead possibly prolong it.
But he would make it clear to the other man that Elizabeth and her son and servants were more than welcome to remain at Bristol Manor untilshedecided otherwise.
He had no doubt Whitlow would not care for that arrangement at all, but Sterling not only outranked the other man, he also felt no qualms whatsoever about threatening any man who would dare to cause harm to a defenseless woman. Most especially if that woman was Elizabeth.
Whitlow might not have physically pushed Elizabeth down the staircase, but neither had he done anything to prevent her from falling down it. Nor, again according to Peggy, had the other man cared to so much as check on her welfare afterward, but instead retired to his bedchamber for the night as if nothing were untoward.
It appeared to Sterling that at that moment, the earl really had not cared if Elizabeth lived or died.
Sterling was not opposed to using his influence with the Prince Regent, along with that of his four close and equally powerful friends, to ensure Elizabeth’s future safety.
It was not unusual for a widowed daughter-in-law to remain in the household of her in-laws after her husband’s death, but it was more often the case she would have set up a household of her own. Especially when that widow was as young and beautiful as Elizabeth. Of course, there was Christopher to consider, and he was the earl’s heir, but Elizabeth was obviously deeply unhappy at having to remain living with her father-in-law.
No matter what transpired in future, it would be Elizabeth’s wishes that were adhered to, whether or not Whitlow was agreeable to her decision.
“You appear to have had a lucky escape, Lady Marshall,” the doctor told Elizabeth warmly as he put his instruments back into the black leather bag he had placed on the bed beside her. “As you had thought might be the case, I do not believe there to be any broken bones, nor can I detect any internal bleeding or other injury. The bruising is severe, though”—he frowned—“ and it will no doubt cause you considerable discomfort for several more days and nights to come. Taking the contents of one of these sachets four times a day will help with the pain.” He placed the medication on the small bedside cabinet.
“Thank you, Doctor.” Elizabeth allowed Peggy to assist her to sit up slightly so that she might drink down the first of those foul-tasting drafts.
“I will go and tell His Grace the good news.” Dr. Harlow straightened. “He has been very worried about you,” he added.
Elizabeth easily saw the speculation in the older man’s eyes. A curiosity she had no intention of satisfying.
Not that she would know what to say if she did.
For all that she was in Sterling’s home, and he was being so very solicitous to her, the only thing Elizabeth really knew for certain about him was that she had instinctively known that, despite the duke’s innate air of haughty disdain, he would never turn away a lady in need of his protection.
“As were we all.” The outspoken Peggy was, thankfully, the one to briskly answer the doctor, before adding, “I believe His Grace went downstairs. I’ll accompany you there.” She moved purposefully across the bedchamber to pointedly hold the door open for the doctor to leave.
Elizabeth held back her smile as she watched them go.
A smile that faded the moment the door closed behind them.
