Page 101 of A Bride for the Devilish Duke

“Lies. All of them. On my honor,” Damien replied, “merely a desperate man trying to claw back some of the power he lost over your family.”

“I think I will go to my room and prepare a note to Thomas. I should very much like to see him if he is free. Could you ask a servant to carry it for me, Your Grace?” Josie asked.

“Of course. Summon a maid when you are ready and Wilkins will arrange for it to be sent to Brimley Park at once,” Damien said kindly.

Josie nodded, rising. “Then I will retire for a couple of hours. Thank you for your efforts, Your Grace and I am sorry that I misunderstood your plan. I believed you in league with Sir Silas.”

“I would die first,” Damien finished, solemnly.

Josie took her leave and Damien walked to a window, looking out over the grounds. Emma went to him, resting her head against his back, putting her arms about his waist.

“Thank you,” she whispered, “for bringing Josie back safe.”

“Sir Silas is not beaten yet. He can still cause considerable damage to your name with his lies. I entered a pact with him. He thinks himself about to become my partner. That I am cowed by the damascene sword he wields. I am not and he will pay for what he did.”

Emma felt a chill run through her at those words.

“Whatever do you mean?” she asked carefully.

But Damien did not answer. She stepped away from him, trying to see his face, but he hid it from her, turning away.

The walls are rebuilt. He keeps a secret from me again. But this time it concerns my sister and the man who has been our tormentor. Can I blame him if he keeps secret how he plans to destroy that man? Can I blame him?

“I must speak to my brother if he is able,” Damien uttered coldly, “excuse me.”

His manner was formal and icy. Emma felt spurned and told herself that he was keeping her at arm's length so that he could do what must be done to put to bed all threats to her family and his own. There could be no other reason.

But justwhatdid he intend to do?

Damien knocked at his own bedchamber door again. This time it was Harry who answered, his voice wavering and weak. When Damien entered the room, Elsie was still by Harry's bedside. She held his hand and glared at Damien like a mother hen regarding a fox.

“How are you feeling, Harry?” Damien asked, donning a gentle smile.

“Well, brother,” Harry murmured weakly. “I do not remember being struck down. Merely feeling terribly cold and dizzy. Then waking with this angel standing over me. I truthfully thought her an angel and my time on this earth over.”

“Sheis an angel. She has not left your side, brother. But I would ask her to do so now,” Damien replied, casting a tentative glance her way.

Elsie looked to Harry, who nodded. She kissed his hand and then left the room, giving Damien a cautionary glance as she did so. As the door closed, Damien smiled.

“She forgets that she is a lady’s maid and thinks herself a nurse.”

“Sheisa nurse and likely always will be,” Harry chuckled. “We have talked much in between many sleeps. If it weren't for her,I do not think I would have had the will to hold on through this terrible weakness that overcame me.”

“But you have won through?”

“I am on an uphill climb. We have discussed my leaving this house. Do we still have the lodge in Epping Forest?” Harry asked.

“We do. One of the few properties we have retained.”

“Redmane is a shadow hanging over me. I feel the need to be somewhere without the associations.”

Damien nodded. “I can find staff for the lodge. Wilkins can find decent people in whom we can trust.”

“I should like Elsie to be one of them,” Harry added, rather sheepishly.

Damien paused, taken aback.

“Of course. I can relay it on to Emma if that is your wish. Does she wish it too, however? It seems I cannot issue orders to Elsie any longer,” Damien chuckled.