The Cursed Countess (The Daring Drake Sisters 1)

“My stomach hurts,” Sabita added.

“Are you with child?” Tessa asked softly.

“No. I am quite certain of that,” she replied. “But my husband is right. We should take our leave. Thank you for seeing us tonight.” As she rose, her knees buckled and she grabbed the chair for support. “Oh, my!”

Langport was there in an instant catching her before she fell. “Sabita!”

“Do you want to put her in a room upstairs?” Tessa asked.

“No, we will go home and call for the physician. It is only a short carriage ride.”

“Very well.” She walked them down the hall. “Please let me know how she is in the morning.”

“Of course. Thank you, Tessa. I understand why my father thinks so highly of you.”

“I could never let a little thing like culture stop the beginning of a friendship.”

Sabita looked at her with a watery smile. “I do hope you mean that.”

“I do.”

After they left, Tessa realized just how tired she was and would never be able to stay awake for Jack. She could send him a message but feared it would only cause more gossip. She would explain the situation in the morning after she’d the night to consider things. “Samuel, could you see if any of the footmen are still awake and might bring up the tub and water for me. I will also need Anne. And please make sure all the windows are locked.”

“Of course, milady.”

She dragged herself upstairs feeling completely exhausted from the evening. Now she would have to deal with the idea that her mother and the duke knew of her affair with Jack. God only knew if Sabita would be able to keep herself from blurting the news to everyone.

Once she entered her room, she removed her shoes and stockings then waited for Anne to assist her with the rest of her clothing. It was all becoming a bit too much for her. She really should end her relationship with Jack. But she didn’t want that yet. They certainly didn’t have a future together but what they had was...exciting. And that was something she’d never had with any man.

“Oh, ma’am, are you all right?” Anne started babbling as soon as she entered the room. “I wasn’t expecting you home for another hour. Did His Grace speak with you tonight?”

“Speak with me? About what?” Did the duke wish Anne to return to his service for his new daughter-in-law?

Anne’s face reddened. “I spoke out of turn, ma’am.”

“No, tell me what you believe the duke wanted to speak with me about?”

Anne went around her to unbutton her gown. She let out a long sigh. “That man.”

“What man, Anne?”

“Mr. Raynerson. The duke and I met to discuss...finding a suitable lady’s maid for his son’s wife. He asked about Mr. Raynerson’s presence in the house. His Grace said he didn’t approve of the man. He said he would take it up with you.”

“I see. When did you see Mr. Raynerson, Anne?”

The hands on her stays stilled for a long moment. “One of the footmen mentioned that Mr. Raynerson had paid a call on you.”

“And it is no one’s business but mine. It is certainly not your business to speak to the duke about who I entertain in my own home.”

“Yes, ma’am,” Anne said softly. “It won’t happen again.”

“See that it doesn’t.” She might have said a few more things but the footmen knocked on the door. As they brought in the tub and water, she and Anne moved behind the screen.

“Ring for me when you are through,” Anne said, placing a wrapper around Tessa’s shoulders.

“There is no need for that. You may retire. The footmen can retrieve the tub in the morning. Goodnight.”

“Goodnight, ma’am.” Anne gave her a quick curtsy and then followed the footmen out the door.