The Haunting of a Duke(81)

Larissa started to answer but words failed her and she turned instead to Lord Wolverstone. “Forgive me, Your Grace. I fear your sister was quite ill when I happened upon her at a posting inn. While attempting to come to her aid, I discovered we shared a destination."

Emme crossed to the settee and embraced her sister. Larissa felt fragile in her arms, and she fought back tears. “What did he do, Ris?"

Larissa smiled weakly. “Mr. Stidham felt that my joining you at Briarwood Hall so soon after your marriage would be inappropriate."

He had locked her in her room, and from the looks of her, he'd starved her, as well.

"Well, you are here now, and everything will be fine,” she reassured.

Larissa met her gaze knowingly. “Is everything fine? I was very worried for you."

Emme didn't ask. She knew of course that Larissa had a vision. “I am fine. You've arrived just in the nick of time,” she said.

Larissa exhaled with relief. “Thank goodness. But I fear there is more to come."

Aware of the curious stare from Wolverstone, Emme said, “We will discuss all of that later. Right now, I want to get you upstairs and into bed. You will rest and you will eat. You are so thin!"

As they rose, Rhys and Michael entered the room. Rhys took in Larissa's haggard appearance. She bore little resemblance to the vivacious creature he'd met in London.

He turned a questioning eye to Spencer who merely shook his head. With that wordless communication he knew that all would be explained later. “Miss Walters,” he said, “welcome to Briarwood Hall. I'll have Winstone show you to your rooms so that you can rest after your journey."

"Thank you, Your Grace. You must call me Larissa, since we are family after all."

"Certainly, Larissa. You may address me as Rhys, or as Briarleigh, if you prefer."

"Rhys,” she said, warmly. “Thank you for taking care of my sister."

Rhys understood in that moment that Larissa was as extraordinary as her sister. She knew something that he did not, as of yet, but he had little doubt that she would tell him. Emme's safety was her concern as well. He signaled to Winstone and the women followed him from the room.

When they had gone, he turned to Spencer who wiped a hand across his face in a gesture that he had long come to understand signaled frustration and disgust. “That girl looks like death,” Michael said succinctly. “I've seen desiccated corpses with more flesh on them."

"He is a harsh disciplinarian. Emme had told me once that he would lock them in their rooms without food when they did not bend to his will."

Spencer shrugged. “There is nothing she could have done to warrant the sentence he imposed."

Michael normally took umbrage with Spencer's opinions as they reflected absolutes in morality that were simply beyond his capability. In this instance, however, recalling the gaunt face and emaciated frame of what had once been a beautiful girl, he couldn't disagree and oddly, for once, was not compelled to argue for argument's sake. “Well, I'm no longer a practicing physician, but if she needs further assistance, I would be happy to provide it. I doubt very much that bringing in the local physician and spreading gossip would benefit her as I imagine she will be staying with you for some time."

"Altruism, Michael? I had thought you long past such trite sentimentalities,” Spencer said caustically. “I can hardly credit that you have seduction in mind, given her appearance and state of health but I've never known you to offer assistance to a woman for any other reason."

Michael shrugged. Spencer was spoiling for a fight but he had no desire to give it. Of course, he couldn't let such a slight go entirely unanswered. “You are hardly my shadow Spence, to know my every deed and thought. If I offer assistance to a lady and she offers herself in return, I am unlikely to say no. However, in this instance, I do understand that it would be vastly improper to seduce the ailing and painfully young sister-in-law of my only friend."

It was a small dig, but Spencer flinched nonetheless.

"Your only friend? When I've saved your worthless hide—"

"Enough!"

The interjection was from the doorway, where Emme stood glaring at them both. Rhys simply sat back and allowed her to have at them. He was glad to have someone else drawing her fire. Michael crossed his arms over his chest and waited for the lecture that was surely to come and Spencer simply raised an eyebrow as if unable to believe someone dared to interrupt him.

Emme walked fully into the room, and when she spoke her voice was calm and very cool. “Lord Wolverstone, I thank you for your assistance with my sister, and while your assessment of Lord Ellersleigh's character might be based on a longer acquaintance than my own, I can only assure you that since our first meeting Lord Ellersleigh has been a true friend to both my husband and myself. Admittedly, he can be quite improper, but I have never known him to be insincere. Additionally, when you save someone's hide, as you so eloquently put it, it is an act of friendship and generosity and should not be invoked later as a form of currency."