Duchess by Chance(21)

“The girl,” she said glaring at him, “appeared to be the servant for the night. Her brothers and father ordered her hither and yon, and Huxley touched her intimately on several occasions. She was red-faced with rage by the time dessert arrived and she dumped an entire bowl of very bland apple pudding on Huxley’s head. I, of course, applauded and held out great hope that she would indeed one day be able to fulfill the role as Duchess of Stratton.”

“Are you saying her family just sat there and allowed this man to touch and abuse her in your presence and did little to assist her?”

“Indeed, I was quite disgusted and when I took my leave later that night and found Huxley in the hall trying to kiss the girl. I instantly set my footman upon him, then told Winchcomb senior that if I found out this reprobate had touched the future Duchess of Stratton again, there would be hell to pay.”

“And he kept his word…until now,” Daniel said, leaping to his feet and heading for the door.

“Bring her to London!” his grandmother called as he shut the door.

Something was urging Daniel to return to Stratton Lodge immediately. Running down his grandmother’s stairs, he then mounted his horse and headed for his townhouse. Fifteen minutes later, he was once again dismounting, this time to hand the reins to his butler.

“A note has arrived for you from Luton, your Grace.”

Stripping off his gloves, Daniel took the note and broke the seal, his eyes scanning the neat writing.

A Lord Huxley visited Stratton, your Grace. His actions were not that of a gentleman and the staff was forced to take measures to ensure the duchess’s safety. She was distressed by the incident but expressed a wish that you not be informed. However, after careful consideration, I believed the best course was to do so with some expediency, as when Lord Huxley left Stratton, he threatened to return and harm the duchess. We, the staff, are, of course, ever vigilant and should he return, we will alert you instantly.#p#分页标题#e#

Luton

“Please have a fresh horse brought round, Werhnam.” Daniel folded the note and slipped it into his pocket. “I have decided to return to Stratton right away. I will be bringing the duchess back to London with me so prepare her rooms,” he added before heading to his own to change clothes. When he had made the decision to bring her back with him he had no idea, but he knew he wouldn’t leave her behind again.

“So you are going back to Stratton?” a voice greeted him as he walked back out the front door twenty minutes later.

“I thought you’d run for cover, Kelkirk.” Daniel shrugged into his greatcoat and pulled on his gloves. Simon was dressed similarly and stood waiting at the bottom of his stairs.

“Me?” Simon said, placing a hand on his chest. “I’m wounded. I merely went to retrieve my horse, and leave a message that I was accompanying you to Stratton for a few days.”

“And why did you think I would be returning to Stratton?” Daniel looked down at his friend, who was now slapping his hat against his thigh and looking vaguely interested in a large barouche that was trundling past.

“A hunch.”

Daniel snorted, then rolled his eyes for good measure, yet remained silent.

“And I yearn for the wide open spaces and lush green hills of Stratton,” Simon said, adding with a wide smile, “It has been an age since I visited there and I feel that Luton has been denied the pleasure of my company for far too long.”

“You attended my father’s funeral.” Daniel’s voice was dry as he walked down the stairs to take the reins of his horse from his groom.

“Is it wrong to want to meet the wife of my dearest friend?”

“Dearest?” Daniel responded. “I’m flattered.”

“Don’t let it go to your head,” Simon muttered, urging his horse forward to fall in beside Daniel’s.

“I just received a missive from Luton indicating that Huxley called at Stratton and that his intentions were not honorable. The servants saw him off, yet Luton was sufficiently concerned to write to me.”

“Good Lord, so the threat was real. Is the duchess all right?”

Nodding, Daniel added, “Yes, but she asked Luton not to inform me of Huxley’s visit, however that combined with what Grandmother told me was enough to alert my fears.”

“You can’t be surprised by your wife’s request, surely, Daniel.” Simon looked at him. “She was raised by those heathens and then forced into marriage with a man she does not know. Even taking into account the threat from Huxley, she’s hardly likely to want you to return now, when she has probably found a measure of peace for the first time in her life.”