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When the chamber door opened again, she dreaded his entry. She was, therefore, relieved to see that only Gracie had come in to change her clothing.

“The physician shall be here soon, Your Grace,” Gracie said sympathetically as she helped her out of her riding habit.

“Where is the Duke?” Eveline asked.

It had been far too long since he had left, and she was rather surprised that he hadn’t even bothered to check on her while they waited for the physician.

“His Grace went to fetch the physician himself,” Gracie explained.

Eveline was taken aback. Why did he go fetch the physician when sending a message would have sufficed?

She shook her head in disbelief. Nothing her husband had done ever since she fell off the horse made much sense to her. She was, however, relieved when the physician arrived with her husband in tow.

The physician was a polished, older man who wore a long blue coat and carried a walking staff. He also had brought two apprentices with him.

Eveline remembered the physician who often came to treat her and her sisters when she was a little girl, and she noted that he did not look as refined as the one her husband had brought her.

“Look into her eyes,” William urged. “Examine her. She might have suffered a concussion.”

The physician smiled. “I shall check for all the conditions you have mentioned in due time.”

“William, you have been hassling the poor gentleman, have you not?”

“His Grace can hassle me all he wants,” the physician said with a chuckle. “After all, he graciously offered to pay me what I would earn in a month if I canceled my other appointments for the day and followed him.”

Eveline could not believe her ears.

“Why would you do this?” she asked angrily.

“I must know that you are fine, and time is of the essence,” William said.

The physician approached her and, like her husband, peered into her eyes. “Did you hit your head when you fell, Your Grace?” he asked.

Eveline shook her head. “I do?—”

“It is quite possible that she does not remember,” William cut in.

Eveline could not help but be annoyed.

“Shall I respond, or would you rather do it on my behalf?” she snapped.

The physician turned to William. “I would rather hear directly from Her Grace.”

William nodded, then began to pace the room, glancing at her every so often.

“If the Duchess did not suffer a blow to the head, there is no reason to suspect a concussion,” the physician said.

William stopped pacing upon hearing this, and Eveline could tell he was about to argue.

The physician must have noticed too because he added, “However, I shall conduct a proper examination to rule it out.”

William gave a satisfied nod.

“Do you feel dizzy, Your Grace?” the physician asked.

“No, I do not,” Eveline replied.

“What is your name, Your Grace?”