Page 37 of Never Beguile a Duke

“What will you do if she accepts Mr. Hollingsworth’s proposal?”

The threat buzzed around Silas’ brain.

“Then the temptation disappears, and I keep my ten thousand pounds.” Silas shrugged. “As you suggested, my attention should be solely focused on Juliette.”

“You’re a fool,” Roxburghe replied, depressing the door handle as the coach slowed to a stop, and descended from the cabin.

Probably.

Roxburghe rang the bell hanging beneath a wooden sign carved with the words ‘Doctor Barnes’. Several minutes later, a man with hair as dark as shoe polish opened the door and peered out, squinting against the bright mid-morning sun.

“Good morrow, Your Grace!” He added a hasty bow, repeating the same greeting when he spied Silas. “Two dukes at my door… the matter must be of grave importance to elicit a visit from multiple men of title.”

“It is,” Roxburghe replied, gesturing toward the foyer. “May we discuss this in private?”

“Certainly, Your Grace.” Doctor Barnes indicated for Silas and Roxburghe to enter the house, then closed the door behind them. “We can speak in my office.”

They followed the physician across the small foyer to a closed door off to the left of the staircase.

“Am I to assume secrecy is necessary for this treatment?” Doctor Barnes asked as he opened the door.

“Scandal isn’t my concern,” Roxburghe replied, stepping into the office and claiming the seat nearest the door.

Beaufort took the chair beside Roxburghe and waited for the doctor to sit before saying, “The widow Webb arrived at my house yesterday afternoon, half-frozen, bloody, and nearly dead.”

Hand halfway to a quill, Doctor Barnes paused and lifted his eyes to Silas. “Why would her driver abandon her in such a state?”

“She was attacked in her home and then walked—or crawled, I’m uncertain of the details—toward my residence. Her daughters are currently my guests.”

If he was surprised by Silas’ revelation, Doctor Barnes’ face didn’t reflect the sentiment. Instead, he dipped his head and scribbled several words on a parchment.

“She survived the evening; that’s a blessing.” He glanced up. “Is she conscious?”

“As of this morning,” Silas replied, sliding forward on his chair. “However, her daughters prefer a physician to ensure there are no hidden injuries that may not have been treated.”

Doctor Barnes frowned. “Who treated the initial wounds?”

“Miss Arabella Venning,” Silas said, hoping he hadn’t caused future difficulties between her family and Doctor Barnes.

“Ah.” A faint smile lifted the corners of Doctor Barnes’ mouth. “A lovely woman, quite capable. Were she a man, she would’ve made an excellent physician.”

He rose and collected a worn leather bag from the table behind him. “Her father requires a lot of attention, and she spent several months training with me to learn how to care for him. I’m certain Mrs. Webb received superb treatment. However, at your request, I will examine her myself.”

“We appreciate your time,” Silas said, standing. “After you’ve completed your assessment of Mrs. Webb, please consider residing at my home for the remainder of this week with me and my guests. We are celebrating several engagements.”

“Including yours?” Doctor Barnes asked, opening the clasp at the top of the bag.

“I have not been fortunate enough to find my ideal match,” Silas replied, shooting a glower at Roxburghe when he snorted. “However, the Duke of Roxburghe is engaged to Mrs. Webb’s daughter?—”

“Stepdaughter.” Roxburghe pinned Silas with an intense glare.

Silas inclined his head, accepting the correction. “And he is most anxious to ensure his mother-in-law survives long enough for them to wed.”

“I understand the urgency,” Doctor Barnes said, adding the parchment with his notes to the bag and snapping the top closed. “Do you have other matters to attend to, or are you returning to your residence immediately?”

“We have one?—”

“Two,” Roxburghe interrupted. “Two additional locations to visit before we can return to the festivities.”