Page 12 of It's All About the Duke
Marlena looked down at her pale confidante. With her head moving, her lashes fluttering, Eugenia mumbled something that sounded very much like, “He finally came for us. Please don’t let him take us away.”
At that moment Marlena realized that, as she had first thought, Eugenia must be assuming the duke was there to confront them about the identity of Miss Honora Truth and the scandal sheet. Convinced the duke knew nothing about that part of their lives, Marlena had to do something quickly to make sure Eugenia didn’t unintentionally give away their secret.
“You are fine, Eugenia,” Marlena said softly. “Can youhear me? Everything is all right. Nothing is wrong and there is no need to worry. The duke’s not here to harm you.”
The duke’s head jerked up. He scowled in displeasure. “What did you say? Of course I won’t harm her.”
“I know,” Marlena insisted, making it a point to meet his stare as steadily as she was capable of doing at the moment. “I’m sure of that, but it appeared to me that hearing your name frightened her and I wanted to reassure her.”
“Well, it shouldn’t have done anything to her,” he objected. “Why would she have cause to think I’d harm her?”
“Perhaps I’m being overly cautious. I didn’t want to cause her more anxiety should that be the case.”
“She needs a sachet or smelling salts,” he offered, looking around the room as if he expected to spot some sitting on a table. “That usually brings most ladies around to their senses after they’ve fainted.”
“I’m afraid we don’t have any. If you can help me get her to the settee, I’m sure she’ll be fine.”
He nodded.
Marlena thought the duke would help Eugenia to stand up and then walk her over to the settee. But no. Instead of assisting her to her feet, he gently slid one arm under Eugenia’s slim shoulders and scooped the other under her knees. He then rose to his full height as if he were lifting nothing more than an empty wicker flower basket.
Eugenia’s lashes fluttered again. Her eyes opened. She looked around before her muddled gaze settled on the duke’s handsome face. Obviously realizing she was being carried in the man’s strong arms, she promptly fainted again.
“By the devil,” he rasped, gently placing her on the small settee.
Tut immediately jumped up beside her, curled near her hip, and barked once.
Marlena was worried. Eugenia was taking the duke’s presence hard. Thank goodness her friend wasn’t coherent enough to be asking questions about the duke or saying anything that might give away the fact that Marlena was Miss Honora Truth.
“What’s wrong with her?” His Grace asked, after straightening. “Does she faint often?”
“No, of course not. I mean, I don’t think so. She may not be as strong as some young ladies I’m acquainted with, but I’ve never known her to be this overcome by anything.”
Eugenia mumbled again. Dreading what her friend might say when she came fully awake, Marlena moved to stand between the settee and the duke. Squaring her shoulders, and with as much aplomb as she could muster, she said, “Perhaps it would be best if you left me to attend to her, Your Grace.”
He peered around Marlena and looked down at Eugenia with concern again. “No matter what she thinks, I’m not going to do anything that will hurt her.”
“Of course not. Her fainting may not have had anything to do with you at all. I shouldn’t have even suggested it.”
“I don’t want to leave you alone with her, Miss Fast. If she’s unwell, I should stay.”
“Nonsense,” Marlena insisted, trying not to sound rushed but wanting to hurry him on his way. “Mrs. Doddle is here to help me should I need it, and surely my cousin will be down shortly. Really, I can handle Eugenia quite ably on my own now that she’s off the floor. Thank you for that. I’m quite grateful to you.”
“Then perhaps it would be best if I go so she can recover. She does seem uncommonly fragile. I’ve never seen a young lady faint twice in the same minute.”
Marlena hadn’t, either, but she understood fully why Eugenia had. Her friend had never had a strong constitution. The possibility that the duke had come for her was more than she could accept.
“I’m sure it’s just that she’s never met a duke before and she is still quite young. Just passed her eighteenth year. I don’t fear for her well-being. If I did, of course, I’d ask you to remain here with her until I could summon someone.”
He seemed to study Marlena’s face for a moment or two. She thought he was going to refuse her yet again, but finally he said, “In that case, please tell your cousin I’m sorry I couldn’t stay any longer and meet her. I’ll return another afternoon to do that.”
“Yes, that would be best. I’ll walk you out.”
“No, Miss Fast. Don’t leave your friend unattended. I’d rather you stay with her.” He nodded.
Marlena watched the duke walk along the settee and turn to leave, but he stopped abruptly. She followed his gaze and saw he was staring at the pile of books scattered on the floor before him. Marlena’s books. He strode over, bent down, and started picking them up.
“No, please, Your Grace.” She rushed over and knelt much closer to his side than she should have, but she felt too awkward to move once she realized it. “It’s not your place to do this. I can take care of them.”
