“The physician?” Selina whispered so softly Colin almost didn’t hear.
“Yes, Miss White. My wife wanted another opinion on why the baby didn’t make it.” Mr. Wells turned away from her. “Had she listened to me, the physician would have been here for the birth.”
“And what did he say?” Selina asked.
“These things happen sometime. That it was God’s will. He also said he would have let my wife know if he hadn’t felt any movement so he could have prepared her for the worst possible outcome.”
God’s will. How he hated that saying. He looked over at Selina’s pale face.
“I’m so sorry,” Selina whispered, blinking back tears. “May I at least speak with her for a moment?”
“No, we don’t want you here,” Mr. Wells replied. “From now on the physician will assist us when we need medical attention.”
Colin wanted to rail at the man for speaking to her in such a manner. But how could he when he felt the same way?
Chapter 9
Selina wiped a tear from her cheek as she strode toward the reflecting pond. She’d needed to get away from the Wellses’ house as soon as she finished speaking with Susan. Even though she needed to be alone, she had no doubt that Colin would soon follow.
Colin?
Why was she suddenly thinking of him as Colin? One kiss in the rain and suddenly he was Colin? Or was it the fact that she now knew he was not betrothed and therefore she could welcome his advances if she chose? She fisted her hands in frustration. He was still the duke. He had evicted her from her home.
She did not want him.
She shook her head, determined to get the annoyingly handsome man out of her mind. She glanced behind her only to notice him gaining on her. The tails of his black coat were blowing back from the wind that whipped across the fields. He held the reins of his horse as the animal trotted behind him.
If only she could return to her cottage and be alone for a short while. Ever
since she moved into Northrop Park, she’d barely had a moment of privacy. The servants seemed to think she needed constant companionship and normally stayed with her until she went off to bed. Now the duke had taken a sudden interest in her duties here, which should please her but did not. His presence was disruptive on so many levels.
“Selina, wait for me.”
She ignored him and continued walking to the pond. She finally stopped and put her hand in the cooling water.
“Why didn’t you wait for me?”
Selina brushed her wind-whipped hair out of her eyes. “I saw no need. We’d finished giving our condolences to the Wellses so I left.”
He grabbed her arm and turned her to face him. His blue eyes searched her soul for answers. “It’s a hard thing for a man . . . or a couple to lose a child. He was angry, that’s all.”
“I know that. This is not the first child I’ve lost. I just haven’t lost a child in . . .” Her voice trailed off as she remembered the one delivery that still haunted her. For years, she’d attempted to put that one mother and child out of her mind, but it never seemed to work. She stared at the water wondering if the memories of that night would ever leave her.
“I’m sorry,” he whispered.
“I should take my leave now. I’m quite certain you must have other things to do with your time than talk with me.”
He released a long sigh. “I suppose I do.”
“Yes. With the wedding approaching, you should make certain your workmen are doing their jobs.” She started to walk toward the earl’s lands. “Good day, Your Grace.”
“Selina, wait.”
She turned at him with a frown. “Wait for what?” She really had no time for delays. Today was the solstice and she had many things to do.
“I’ll have a horse saddled for you to ride back to Hart’s lands. It’s a very long walk and you must be tired.” He paused for a moment as if in thought before adding, “You do ride?”
“Yes, I ride.” She supposed he didn’t know Mr. Sellers gave her use of one of the mares whenever she needed it.