Nell stirred from sleep and blindly slid her hand across the bed, seeking James. When she encountered empty space, she remembered everything and opened her eyes with a sharp cry.
“Miss Trim, pray be calm.” A lovely dark-haired woman leaned over her with a concerned expression. “You’re safe here at Fentonwyck.”
Behind the woman, the room was vast and decorated with paintings that Nell recognized as masterpieces. She struggled to sit, wincing as her body reminded her that yesterday she’d traveled miles.
Had it been yesterday?
“What happened?”
The stranger was round with child and wearing a beautiful loose gown in green velvet. Her black eyes were bright with amusement and interest. “Last night you appeared out of a thunderstorm, spouting extravagant denunciations against Lord Leath, then you fainted into my husband’s arms. It was a performance worthy of the Theatre Royal.”
Nell felt as though she’d been battered by rocks, but she still managed to blush. This beautiful creature must be the Duchess of Sedgemoor. “Your Grace, I’m sorry to disrupt your household.”
Her Grace laughed. “Your arrival brightened up a party that became odiously dull. Please don’t apologize.”
Nell felt increasingly awkward. This room was fit for a queen, not a mud-spattered nobody. “I’ve put you to great inconvenience.”
“Rubbish. We have plenty of space and a regiment of servants standing idle.” She rose and crossed to the window where she flung the curtains wide with a rattle that made Nell flinch. Nor did the bright light help her pounding head.
It was late morning, over twenty-four hours since she’d discovered proof of Leath’s offenses. What had he done when he found her missing? He must know that Nell’s possession of the letters meant exposure. He’d be furious, and desperate to silence her before she sparked a scandal.
She should be terrified. But it was difficult to be frightened cocooned in this feminine bower, with a duchess inquiring after her comfort. Leath couldn’t hurt her here.
She was such a fool—despite everything she knew, she found it hard to see his lordship hurting her at all.
The thought of Leath stabbed like a knife and made her want to curl up and howl out her agony. She cringed to remember that betraying moment when she’d reached for him. How was it that after one night, she couldn’t imagine waking up without him beside her?
“I planned to see His Grace then leave.”
“You’re in no fit state to go anywhere.” The duchess sent Nell an assessing look. “And I hardly think Sedgemoor will accept the documents you produced without asking about your dealings with Lord Leath.”
Curse these blushes. If she wasn’t careful, the duchess might guess just what her dealings with Leath had involved. “You’ve seen the letters?”
“Of course,” the duchess said coolly, crossing to a gilt and marble table where a tea tray waited.
After nigh drowning in yesterday’s rain, it seemed absurd to be so thirsty. Nell fought to leave the bed, weary muscles resisting the activity. Only then did she realize that she wore an embroidered white lawn nightdress that would cost a housemaid more than a year’s wages.
The duchess turned from pouring tea to catch Nell’s attempts to stand. “What on earth are you doing?”
“It’s not fitting for you to wait upon me, Your Grace.”
“Nonsense.” Calmly she finished preparing the tea. “Lie down. I’m surprised you’re awake at all. You looked ready to give up the ghost. But the doctor said that with rest, you’ll be fine.”
“The doctor…” Nell fell back. Whatever her mind demanded about leaving this room, her legs weren’t ready to take her.
“Yes.” Her Grace glided across the pale blue floral carpet that matched the ceiling’s plasterwork and extended a cup and saucer. “He came last night.”
Automatically Nell took the tea, although her hand shook so badly that she feared spilling it over the exquisite bedding. “I’ve put you to so much trouble. This wasn’t what I intended.”
The duchess waved a graceful hand and slid a brocade-covered chair closer. “I’ve told you no apologies are necessary.”
Why was this woman so needlessly kind to a stranger? “I must dress and see His Grace.”
The heavily pregnant duchess sat with endearing clumsiness. She leveled an unwavering stare upon Nell. “Once you’ve regained your strength.”
Before Nell could argue, a knock heralded the arrival of a striking blond woman carrying another tray. “I intercepted the maid outside. I can’t contain my curiosity any longer. Who is your mysterious invalid, Pen?”
The duchess smiled and Nell caught her breath at the woman’s beauty. In the newspapers, she’d seen sketches of the Duchess of Sedgemoor. Scandal had shadowed the union from the start, even before the duke and duchess became embroiled in Sophie Fairbrother’s elopement. “Come in, Genevieve. I’m surprised Sidonie isn’t here too.”