The Duke's Decision (The Reluctant Duke Book 2) by Miller Fenella J

Author:Miller, Fenella J [Miller, Fenella J]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Published: 2020-02-03T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Ten

Paul checked on the horses and discovered that the injury to the carriage horse wasn't as bad as he'd feared. The farrier had removed the shoe from the offending hoof, filed it down and replaced it with a new one.

'That'll do, sir, sound as a bell now. If you ain't going nowhere until tomorrow you'll have no problems.'

'That's good news.' The duke had given him sufficient funds to pay and the man went away happy with the transaction. He was aware that those who'd been summarily dismissed were slouched in a corner looking far from happy. They'd all worked for the Sinclair family for decades and must feel they'd had a raw deal as they'd only been doing their duty as they saw it.

An impulse made him walk across to speak to them. He handed each one of them a crown and immediately their demeanour improved. 'This should be sufficient for you to pay for a seat on the next stage and give you a little left over until you find yourselves another position.'

They suddenly straightened and for a second he thought it was because of his offer but then his grace spoke from beside him. 'I've changed my mind. Her grace has asked me to reinstate you and I've decided to indulge her.' The men were now exchanging happy smiles. The duke hadn't finished. 'Your loyalty is to me, not to any other member of my household. If you forget that a second time then I'll not be so lenient. Do I make myself quite clear?'

There was a chorus of assent and all of them nodded, bowed and touched their foreheads demonstrating their respect and delight in his generosity.

'Your grace, all four carriage horses will be fit to make the return journey tomorrow morning.'

He was slapped vigorously on the back. 'Excellent news. Walk with me – we need to talk.'

Paul was curious as to why this could be so but fell in beside him without argument.

'I take it things are smoothed over with her grace.'

'They are indeed. This is between us and in the strictest confidence. We both fear she has the same affliction as the King. Her bursts of vicious temper happen without her knowledge and she appears to have no control over them. It's a very sad case and one that deserves sympathy rather than condemnation.'

'I'm sorry to hear that, your grace. I assume that you will take care of her at home and not have her incarcerated in an asylum.'

'Exactly so. I hope that quack will be able to shed some light on this affliction. I'm hoping we might be given pointers to the warning signs of an attack and can then can confine her safely until she's recovered.'

'Forgive me for asking, sir, but is there a history of insanity in the family?'

He laughed out loud startling two grooms who were busy harnessing two horses to a waiting carriage. 'I hope you're not suggesting I'm showing signs of being unbalanced myself? As far as I know this is the first case.

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