His Secret Duchess by Gayle Wilson

Author:Gayle Wilson [Wilson, Gayle]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

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Chapter Eight

Pierce's small, competent hands replaced Mary's, even as he questioned her about what had happened. When he had heard the story, the batman issued the orders that sent some of the men he'd brought after Marcus Traywick and another to find the village surgeon—orders none of them thought to question, as they did not question Pierce's right to take command in this exigency.

"Colonel," Pierce said softly when they were alone, only the three of them now. It seemed very quiet in the small room after the noise the milling men had made. Mary watched as the duke's eyelids lifted slowly in response to that familiar voice. "Hold on," Pierce ordered. "The surgeon's on his way. Just hold on."

The focus of the gray eyes shifted to Mary's face, and Vail's hand rose to touch the darkening bruise where Traywick had hit her, the small smear of blood vivid against the corner of her mouth, such a contrast to the paleness shock had given her skin.

"So sorry, Mary," Nick whispered. "I'm so sorry I failed you."

He sounded defeated, and like Pierce, Mary found herself wanting to compel him to hold on, to demand that he not give up. She caught the fingers of the hand he had raised, and pressed them against her cheek, but they rested limp and unmoving in her grasp.

"Don't," she said. "This is not your fault, Nick. None of this is your fault. I came here because I thought it was the only way to recover Richard, but I was wrong."

What had occurred was the result of her error, her misjudgment. She had wanted to free Richard from Traywick's control, but not at the cost of Nick's life. She should have known he would come to find her. Once again she had gone against all she believed, all her father had taught her. By offering herself to Traywick, she had again tried to break laws that should be inviolate, in order to achieve something She desired. And again, she feared, she would have to pay a price that was far too terrible for her sin.

"Richard?" Nick whispered. The word was little more than a breath, but she knew what he had said. It was the first time she had heard his son's name on his lips. And perhaps the last. She banished that despairing realization and smiled at him before she answered.

"He's not here. Traywick sent him away. I think he's hidden him." She touched his cheek lightly, her thumb caressing.

"So sorry," Vail whispered, and the gray eyes began to close. The watchers were aware that the last of his strength had been exhausted. He was slipping away from them even as they watched.

"Colonel," Pierce said again, but there was no response in the still, composed features. "Damn it," he breathed softly, pushing the rapidly reddening cloth more firmly against the wound. "Colonel," he demanded. Still there was no response.

"Is he...?" Mary began. But despite what they both knew, she couldn't put the fear into words.

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