Page 74 of A Dashing Duke for Emily

“Come in, Son. Come sit withme.”

Mark entered the room. “Might I open the draperies? It is sodark.”

“The morning light hurts my eyes. The sun comes rightin.”

“Just a littlethen.”

He went to the windows and opened two sets of draperies just wide enough to allow some light to stream in, slashing across the orientalcarpet.

“Where is the nurse?” Markasked.

“She should be here momentarily. She needed to change herclothes.”

Mark went over to his father’s bedside and stood looking down athim.

“I am sorry you had to miss the recital last evening. It was quitemarvelous.”

“I am sorry I have to miss the weekend altogether. It has been a long time since there has been so much activity in the house. This is how it used to be. But times seem to be changing and there is not as much social activity thesedays.”

“I was wondering if you might feel up to a short recital here in your rooms. I believe Miss Dunn would be delighted to play a few pieces for you, unless you think it might be tootiring.”

“Oh, Son, I should love that. You know how much I enjoy music, and it makes me sad that I cannot enter into the festivities this weekend. A short concert would be mostwelcome.”

“Then, I shall arrange it. Perhaps later thisafternoon?”

“If I am notasleep.”

“Then, whenever suitsyou.”

“Stop by after lunch and see how I amdoing.”

Mark took his father’s hand. He could tell the old man was fading. And, as much as he regretted thinking it, he knew the end could not be far off—days, perhaps weeks. But he also knew the old man was tenacious and might surprise them all and hang on through the rest of theyear.

The nurse returned. “Good morning, Your Grace,” she said, coming over and straightening the bedcovers.

“Good day, Mildred. Is there anything youneed?”

“We are doing just fine. And the staff are very responsive folks if anything isrequired.”

“I am pleased to hear that. We have a grand staff here. Although they are stretched thin this weekend with all theguests.”

Mark turned back to his father. “Is there anything you need from me? I have a hectic morning but have a fewmoments.”

“Just sit with me. I get very lonely.” He cast a look at Mildred. “She is a darling but does not say much. She is always engrossed in her knitting. I do not see how any one person can wear so many scarfs, socks, ormittens.”

Mildred looked over her spectacles as she knitted. “They are for the poor, your Grace,” she said with a wry smile. “And he knows it,” she said toMark.

Mark sat with his father and held his hand until he closed his eyes to snooze again. Mark stoodup.

“Tell him I shall stop by later and remind him of therecital?”

“Recital?” Mildredasked.

“He will tell you aboutit.”

Chapter 22

After her early morning walk, Emily had had breakfast, but she was so exhausted from the days of stress and practice leading up to the recital, that she decided to lie down and take a quick nap before the ten o’clock meeting with Mark and hisfriends.