The Duke's Marriage of Convenience by Fiona Miers

Author:Fiona Miers
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: steamy regency romance, sweet regency romance, duke, duchess, historical romance
Publisher: Harley Romance Publishing
Published: 2022-07-21T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twelve

James hastily made his way toward the stable behind a hurrying Kenneth with Kitty by his side.

“What on earth could have happened?” Kitty inquired.

“I am not certain, but Kenneth would not be in such a state if it were not important, or serious,” James answered.

Kenneth opened the stable doors and waited for James and Kitty to reach him.

“Is it safe for my lady to enter?” James inquired.

“Indeed, Your Grace, there is no danger to any one of us,” Kenneth answered.

“Then what is the matter?” Kitty asked breathlessly.

“It is Lord Windsor,” Kenneth answered.

“Who is Lord Windsor? Is he family?” Kitty asked as they stepped into the stable.

Lord Windsor, the palomino stallion whom Kitty had noticed was ill yesterday, had been in his father’s possession since James was a young boy.

He had promised to arrange for an animal doctor to examine the horse after Kitty’s request, and the matter had entirely slipped his mind until now.

“This,” Kenneth stated as he came to a standstill in front of one of the stalls, “is Lord Windsor.”

Kitty stepped closer and her eyes widened. A gasp escaped her throat as she entered the stall. Lord Windsor was curled up in the straw, barely moving as Kitty knelt beside him.

James approached Kenneth and placed his hands on his hips. “How bad is he?”

“He is not getting any better, Your Grace. He refuses to eat or drink. I am even surprised he is allowing my lady to enter his stall. His behaviour was troubling last evening; his eyes appeared...”

James raised his brows expectantly and waited for Kenneth to continue speaking.

“Demonic,” Kenneth said in a hushed tone.

“Is there anything more we can do?” James asked.

“Your Grace, this horse needs to be seen by an animal doctor, as I mentioned before,” Kitty said, annoyance in her tone.

“My lady.” James sighed and turned to her. “Lord Windsor is an old stallion, and—”

“And what? Does he not deserve to live?” Kitty asked incredulously.

“That is most certainly not what I am insinuating, my lady,” James proclaimed. “You must understand, though, that there is not much an animal doctor can do. He will most likely have the animal put out of its misery.”

“How can you be so heartless?” Kitty rose from the ground, her eyes snapping with fury.

James stared at his fiancée, surprised by her aggressive attitude. “I am not heartless, my lady. I am merely realistic. The horse doctor cannot perform miracles. Lord Windsor is an elderly horse. There is nothing more we can do for him.”

“You do not know this for a fact,” she exclaimed.

“It is just a horse, Kitty,” he stated, but as soon as the words left his lips, regret followed swiftly. He was well aware of how much she adored horses and his words were cruel, even from one who did not love horses as much as she did.

Tears formed in her eyes and she pursed her lips.

“My lady,” James began, and stepped toward her, ready to apologise.

Kitty shook her head and pushed past him. “Leave me alone.”

He grabbed her hand and whirled her around.

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