Page 116 of A Bluestocking for the Wicked Duke

William didn’t know any life without the Duke of Wellington in it.

Chapter 24

The Burning House

William threw cold water from the bowl onto his face. He was not ready to have a bath just yet. It was barely dawn but he was tired of lying down. He had hardly gotten any sleep throughout the night.

The few times he did manage to fall asleep, he was tormented by dreams of troubled seas and burning houses. He stopped trying to sleep after the second nightmare.

The cold water diffused drowsiness that caused his eyelids to droop. He walked back into his room and used his towel to dry off his face. His hand brushed against the sharp bristles of his beard. He had forgotten to shave yesterday; he didn’t think he would today. William opened the door and walked out. He was closing the door quietly when the door next to his open gently. Lord James walked out of it.

“You couldn’t sleep,” Lord James asked him.

“Not a wink,” William replied.

“I slept a bit but it has been elusive for the past few hours,” Lord James said.

“Let’s go check on the Duke,” William said.

They walked to the Duke’s room and opened the door. The Duchess was sitting by his bed. The room was well illuminated and the Duchess looked as alert as ever.

“Mother, you did not sleep,” William said as he drew near to his father.

“I tried, son. It wouldn’t come,” she replied.

The Duchess nodded and looked at her frail husband. William stood by her.

“Why don’t you go to your room, mother? I will stay here, at least for the time being,” William said.

“Are you sure?”

“Yes, go and see if you can get some sleep.”

His mother rose up and walked to the door.

“Bless you, son,” she said before pushing it open and walking out.

William touched his father’s neck. The man was growing colder and colder every time William checked. He sat down where his mother was. Lord James took a seat from the other side and brought it beside him to seat. William put his head between his hands and started a personal solemn prayer.

*******

William opened his eyes. There was light flooding everywhere.

How is the room so bright? Why are there so many voices?

William closed his eyes for a few seconds before opening again. The light wasn’t so overwhelming anymore. He raised his head.

I must have slept off while watching over father.

He looked to his side but Lord James was gone. He rubbed his hand over his eyes and stood up. His mother stood at the other end of the bed, opposite him and beside his sister.

“He awakes,” Regina said.

“I take it you hardly got any sleep at night,” his mother said.

William nodded and looked at his unconscious father. He stood up and made to walk out of the room.

“William, we need to talk,” the Duchess said.