Bewitching the Duke

Mia laughed. “I shall do my best not to. Just don’t get shot again. You scared me to death.”

As they walked toward the bed, Selina asked, “How did you get here?”

“Lord Hartsfield sent for us. He wanted no one to attend to his dearest friend but us.”

Selina smiled and wondered if Mia would ever realize that Hart was in love with her. She approached the bed and blinked away tears. He looked so pale.

“Sit down, dear girl,” the duchess commanded.

Kate rose from the chair closest to Colin so Selina could sit next to him. She sat and then clutched Colin’s warm hand in hers.

“How is he, Mrs. Featherstone?”

Mrs. Featherstone put her hand on Selina’s good shoulder. “The shot went straight through. I think I got all the clothing fibers out of the wound but you can never be certain. You know what happens next.”

Wait and see if a fever sets in. Selina always hated that part. It could take days for a fever and then there was no guarantee that he would recover. “And me?”

“You shall be fine. When the bullet grazed you, it was where your shoulder was bare. Mia cleaned it out but she didn’t see any fibers in there.”

“Thank you both for coming tonight.”

Mrs. Featherstone squeezed Selina’s shoulder. “Of course we could come for you and the duke. Just as you would if we needed you. It’s part of being a wise woman.”

Selina stared at Colin’s pale face. She had never imagined she could love someone as much as she did him. It was all her fault that he’d been shot. He’d been trying to protect her.

She wondered how upset he’d be when he discovered a wise woman tended his wounds instead of a surgeon. Perhaps he had learned that a male physician wasn’t always needed.

“Selina,” Mrs. Featherstone said. “I will leave you everything you need for the evening. If you aren’t up to the task of watching him, Mia can stay with you.”

“Thank you, Mrs. Featherstone. I shall be fine once the laudanum wears off.” She smiled at Mia. “And don’t ever let your daughter give me that dreadful stuff again.”

“Would you rather have felt me sew you up like a dress?” Mia asked with a laugh.

“No, I suppose not. Thank you both again.”

“We shall return tomorrow to see both our patients. Give him more laudanum when he awakes. It will ease his pain.” Mrs. Featherstone put a vial of laudanum and another of willow bark on the table by his bed. “Send for me if he starts a fever.”

“Of course.”

The room settled down in a silent watch. The duchess and Kate let Selina stay closest to Colin’s bed as they took chairs by the window. The only sound in the room was the ticking of a clock on the fireplace mantel.

Selina continued to stare at Colin’s face. As the night wore on, the stubble on his face grew darker. She liked the look on him. He groaned once or twice but otherwise slept peacefully.

“Selina,” Kate whispered. “I am going to get Mother to bed. We are in the room one down on the left. I shall return after she is asleep.”

“You don’t need to return. I will let you know if he awakens.”

“I can’t let you sit here alone with an unmarried man. It would damage your reputation,” Kate explained logically.

The duchess stood up slowly and yawned. “They are as good as engaged and you know it, Kate. He danced three times with her.”

Kate shot her mother an angry glance. “It still isn’t right.”

“As soon as he wakes, they will be properly betrothed,” the duchess insisted.

“Come along, Mother.” Kate shook her head as she led her mother out of the room.

Engaged.