Bewitching the Duke

He really was going insane.

Selina spent the first few days in her bedroom prison. Several times during the day, Mrs. Roberts would join her and they would chat. But for the most part, her day was dreadfully dull. The tenants were all quite well and didn’t need her services. The duke seemed to spend his days in his study. According to Mrs. Roberts, he never left the room and looked quite peaked. Selina thought about checking on him but knew he would not appreciate her interference.

After eating a lonely dinner tonight, she sat at the table next to the window and longingly stared outside. Dark clouds filled the horizon warning of an impending storm. A knock on her door broke the silence.

“Miss, it’s Randall,” he whispered from the hall. “Please let me in.”

Selina rushed to the door and let him in. “What’s the matter? Did the duke see you bring up the tray?”

“No,” he said with a laugh. “It’s Mrs. Wells, miss. It’s her time.”

“Of course,” she replied. “I’ll get my things.”

Quickly she packed her satchel and herbs. She prayed this would go smoothly. She had been able to sneak out for a short time yesterday morning to call on Susan. Selina had still felt no movements from the baby. Susan was optimistic and said she was certain she’d felt a few slight kicks.

“I’ll escort you out of the house,” Randall said with a smile. “But I can’t accompany you.”

“There’s no need, Randall. I don’t usually have someone with me.”

“All right, miss.” Randall opened the door, and peered right and then left. “It’s clear.”

Feeling like a spy in the war, she tiptoed down the corridor, trailing Randall. Once outside, she raced toward Susan’s small home. As it was a first birth, Selina would most likely spend the night there. Rain sprinkled down on her but she ignored the cool sensation.

Several candles blazed in the small cottage. Selina knocked on the door and Susan’s mother opened it. “Oh, thank God, you’re here, Selina. I fear this won’t go well,” Mrs. Jones whispered. “It’s only been three hours but she’s in terrible pains.”

“Let me check on her.”

Mrs. Jones led her past Mr. Wells who looked as if he might faint. “Outside, Mr. Wells. Miss White is here now,” Mrs. Jones ordered.

Once inside the bedroom, Selina pressed her lips together. Susan appeared pale and sweaty. “Susan, how are the pains?”

“Awful,” she gasped. “You said they would start slow but they didn’t. I want to push already.”

Selina thrust away her emotions and set to work.

Colin walked the length of his library as he sipped his brandy. No matter what he’d tried today, he couldn’t get the image of that specter out of his mind. He looked down at his snifter of brandy. Perhaps he was drinking more than normal. Although, he didn’t think that was the cause of his delusions. He had seen someone or something upstairs. For the past few nights, he had gone to the pond and stared up at the house. He had seen nothing to make him believe there was anything unnatural upstairs.

A knock sounded on the door to the library. “Come in.”

A pallid Mr. Roberts entered the room. “Excuse me, Your Grace.”

“What’s the matter, Roberts? You look white as a ghost.” Did he really just say ghost? He had ghouls on the mind tonight.

Roberts looked away. “It’s Mrs. Wells, sir.”

Mr. Wells had been the blacksmith on the estate for ten years but Colin didn’t remember hearing about him marrying. “What is wrong?”

“She delivered a stillborn girl tonight, Your Grace.”

He closed his eyes against the instant pain he felt. This was his fault again. He forced Miss White to leave. She might have been able to help Mrs. Wells. “I will speak with them in the morning. Thank you for letting me know.”

“Good night, Your Grace.”

“Good night, Roberts.”

Damn her!

No, damn him.