Bewitching the Duke

If he had any sense, he would stop her. But glancing up at the empty house, the memories were still too raw for him. Forcing her to leave was the best option for everyone. With her gone, he could concentrate on the upcoming wedding. For once, happiness would be the overwhelming emotion in the

house, not the continual sadness that draped every room.

So why did he feel like he’d just made a huge mistake?

Selina looked about her empty cottage as sorrow enveloped her. This was the only home she’d ever known. While the servants’ plan to keep her hidden in the house for two months might work, he still might discover her. And if that happened, she’d never be able to return here again. But she had to try. What he didn’t know after he left would not hurt him.

“Is that everything, Selina?”

“Yes.” She brushed away a tear that fell but another just took its place.

Mrs. Roberts embraced her. “It will be all right. You’ll be back in your home in no time.”

“Thank you, Mrs. Roberts.”

“We have the two books you requested, your herbs, and your personal things up in a bedroom on the third floor. His Grace has the west wing on the second floor. He’ll never know you’re living right under his nose.”

Selina nodded and gave the kind older lady another squeeze. “Thank you for all your help.”

Mrs. Roberts let out a husky laugh. “We’re not about to lose our wise woman. The duke has no idea how much you do for us all.”

And he never would, she realized. With this plan, she had no way of showing him the duties she performed for the estate. Not that it would matter to him. He believed only men made good doctors. Healing needed knowledge, and education, and, according to the duke, a penis. After a final look around, she walked outside and closed the door to her cottage. Instinctively, she knew she’d never be back to live there again.

“We shall head out toward the earl’s estate in case the duke is watching,” Mr. Evans said in a hushed tone. “Once we reach the woods, you and David will get out and walk back to Northrop Park. Randall will be at the back of the house to let you inside and show you to your room.”

A nervous energy filled her. If this went wrong, she would end up living with Mia and her mother forever. But this plan would work, as long as they all were careful.

Mr. Evans continued, “I will go on with your things to Mrs. Featherstone’s home. They arranged for your possessions to be left, out of sight, in the stables.”

They had worked on the plan for two days and now that it was time to implement it, Selina worried what would happen to the people involved if they were caught. The duke would likely evict them for disobeying his commands. She couldn’t be responsible for that.

“Maybe I should just go live with Mrs. Featherstone,” she said softly.

“Absolutely not,” Mrs. Roberts said as she approached the wagon.

“Mrs. Roberts, think what might happen to you and your husband should the duke discover you were a part of this scheme,” she implored the older woman.

“He will never find out.” Mrs. Roberts looked at the other men involved. “But if any of you men feel unsure of helping out Miss White, just speak up.”

Mr. Evans and his son both shook their heads. “If not for you, Miss White, my wife might be dead from that fever last year,” Mr. Evans said.

David laughed. “My mama says I wouldn’t be here if not for yer mother helping with the delivery. I owe ye everything.”

“Very well, then,” she said. With all this support, they would make their plan work. With a flick of the reins, the wagon rumbled down the road. Selina cast a quick glance back in the direction the duke had left, but there was no sign of him.

A slice of disappointment slid through her. Why should she be unhappy that he wasn’t here to watch her leave? It made no sense. Had he been there, she would have felt angry that he did ensure that she left. Perhaps she was just going mad. That seemed the most likely explanation.

After a short drive, Mr. Evans stopped the wagon. She and David climbed down and made their way through the small copse of woods toward the house.

“Randall will give a sign that the master is locked in his study,” David whispered as if the duke might be directly behind them.

He locked himself in his study. She wondered why he would do such a thing. “What is the sign?”

“He will chase the swans out of the pond.”

Selina almost laughed. Unless Randall walked into the pond, she doubted those stubborn birds would go anywhere. They waited for close to an hour and then they saw Randall flapping his arms as he attempted to make the swans fly. He finally stepped into the pond and ran toward the birds. Only the swans wanted no part of this and turned on Randall, honking and flapping their wings.

“We need to go save that boy before they attack him,” Selina said with a laugh.