The Duke's Proposal by Fenella J Miller

Author:Fenella J Miller [Miller, Fenella J]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2015-12-06T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter Ten

Lydia came round to pandemonium. Her mother was sobbing loudly, her uncle stood beside her glaring down at the prostrate figure of her betrothed. She pushed herself up onto her elbows. ‘What on earth is going on? What are you doing on the floor, Sinclair?’

Lord Richmond leapt into the air as if stabbed by a pin and her mother froze mid-sob. The duke scrambled to his feet rubbing his jaw. Lydia stared from one to the other in bewilderment.

Her relatives looked at her as if she were a ghost. The duke grinned lopsidedly and raised an eyebrow.

‘My darling daughter, we thought you were dead and that...’ Her mother was unable to finish her sentence.

‘My injuries were caused by a broken glass. Sinclair was taking care of me, that is how he comes to be in such disarray.’

Her uncle shook his head and looked up in bafflement. ‘He was… you were—’

‘I accept your apology for knocking me down, Lord Richmond. I would’ve done the same thing if I had thought a relative of mine injured.’

No apology had been tendered and her uncle seemed in no mood to offer one. The duke was attempting to defuse the situation.

‘Mama, my lord, this has been a huge misunderstanding. As you can see I have cut my hands, ruined my gown and, in ministering to me, his grace has also spoiled his appearance. Obviously we must leave – but it might be prudent for you to return to the entertainment before we attract any more attention.’

The duke had turned away and she was almost sure from his rigid stance that he was trying not to laugh.

‘I shall do as you suggest, my love.’ Her mother looked crossly at the duke. She raised her voice as if by turning away he had become hard of hearing. ‘I shall leave you to escort my daughter home and arrange for the physician to call, your grace. I shall make your apologies to our hostess.’

He finally managed to control his amusement and swung round. ‘Could I kindly ask you to inform my sister what has transpired here, Lady Richmond? Also, if you could send in a footman I should be most obliged.’

‘This is most irregular, your grace. I should not have given my consent to your betrothal if I’d known what was going to happen. Come along, Richmond, we have errands to run and I do not wish to miss my supper.’

The door closed loudly behind them. ‘Botheration! Mama is most upset with us, it will take a deal of smoothing over tomorrow to put things right.’ She scowled at him. ‘This is your fault, you know, Sinclair. If we are to carry on in this fashion one or other of us will be in the grave by the end of the year.’ She had been going to hold up her hands and count on her fingers the number of occasions she had been injured since she become involved with him, but thought better of it when she saw the blood seeping through his hastily constructed bandages.

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