Page 32 of Never Beguile a Duke

“Stop yelling,” Nora groaned, rubbing her forehead as she crawled off the mattress. “Miss Venning wrapped your face after she relieved the pressure on your eye from the swelling.”

“Will I lose my sight?” Winifred’s mother asked, her frantic fingers tracing the edge of the bandage across her nose.

“Miss Venning didn’t believe so,” Winifred said, taking her mother’s hand and moving the appendage away from her face. “However, you shouldn’t touch the wrap until she inspects the injury.”

“Did not my condition merit a physician’s opinion?” Her mother sniffed.

“There was a snowstorm,” Nora replied through gritted teeth, “and, after learning of Miss Venning’s capabilities, the Duke of Beaufort chose not to risk someone else’s life by sending them out in the darkness.”

Mrs. Webb struggled into a sitting position and twisted her bandaged face toward her stepdaughter. “You think me foolish?”

“Incredibly.”

Winifred gasped. Had Mrs. Webb possessed her sight, she would have slapped Nora for her impudence—despite Nora’s engagement to the Duke of Roxburghe. However, their mother’s current position prevented her from exacting punishment, and therefore, she crossed her arms over her chest and scowled in Nora’s direction.

Soft tapping sounded on the door. A moment later, Miss Venning peeked into the room, her pale face regaining color when she spied Winifred’s mother.

“How are you faring?” Miss Venning asked as she entered the chamber.

“Who is that?” Winifred’s mother asked, her head whipping to the right.

“Miss Venning.” She edged toward the bed. “I’m not certain if a doctor can be summoned today. However, I’d like to remove the bandages around your eye to ensure there’s no additional condition that may need immediate attention.”

“Such as?” Mrs. Webb’s voice cracked as she struggled into a sitting position.

“A virus.” Miss Venning leaned over and untucked the edge of the bandage. “Once I remove the wrap, it will take a few moments for your sight to return.”

“And if it doesn’t?”

Digging her teeth into her lower lip, Miss Venning glanced at Winifred, then Nora. “There’s no need to discuss potential issues unless they occur.”

Miss Venning unwound the bandage, revealing Mrs. Webb’s discolored face, and leaned forward, her eyes probing the injuries. “What do you see?”

“Violet,” Winifred’s mother replied, a slight crinkle sliding across her forehead. “Have your eyes always been that unusual shade?”

“They have.” Miss Venning smiled and twisted around. “It would appear that your mother hasn’t lost her sight.”

“Girls.” Gesturing, Mrs. Webb encouraged Nora and Winifred onto the bed, wrapped an arm around each of their waists, then shifted her attention back to Miss Venning. “I’m so grateful for your assistance. Had you not been here… I can’t imagine the horror I would have suffered through.”

Miss Venning flushed deep red. “Thank you for those kind sentiments. Is there anything I can bring you?”

“Some tea and toast?” Winifred’s mother offered a toothy smile. “Enough for the four of us.”

“I would be delighted.” Her voice trailing off, Miss Venning glanced at the closed chamber door. “I’ll just need to inform my father that I won’t be joining him for breakfast.”

The moment Miss Venning exited the chamber, Winifred’s mother tightened her hold on Winifred, pinning her in place.

“Did you make a decision regarding Mr. Hollingsworth?” her mother asked, ignoring Nora’s shocked gasp.

Winifred’s eyes shifted between her mother and Nora, hoping that Nora would intervene. However, Nora said nothing, and Winifred suspected her sister wished to learn the truth as well.

“I-I haven’t decided,” Winifred said, glowering at Nora.

Her mother sighed, slumping back against the headboard. “I suppose the fact that you haven’t completely discounted him is the best answer I can hope to receive, considering you’ve just learned of his continued interest.”

Nora grunted. “I fail to understand why you want Winifred to accept the proposal of an imprisoned man with no income.”

“He has an income,” Winifred said, cutting off her mother. “He possesses a small plot of land outside of Wiltshire. Mother thought I should aim for a better match.”