Page 50 of Seduced by an Irresistible Lady

“Your Grace,” Dr Frederick said as the Duke’s open eyes steadied.

The Duke blinked twice. He closed his eyes for a while and opened them again before closing them once again. Dr Frederick waited a while. He watched the Duke’s soft breath move the strands of hair in his moustache from side to side. The Duke’s chest rose and fell, gently and in rhythm. When it was apparent that the Duke had fallen asleep once again, Dr Frederick moved to his wrist and pressed on to its base, checking the pulse of the Duke’s heart. It was normal.

“He has gotten better since yesterday,” Dr Frederick said.

“Yes, he has. He woke up this morning, just for a short while, though. But we spoke, and I told him about you,” she said.

“He probably will wake again before night falls. He might spend even longer. I will suggest that you let him know the current state of affairs so he can mentally prepare himself,” Dr Frederick said.

The Duchess nodded. Dr Frederick placed his hand into his jacket and brought out a small capsule. It was a tiny bottle containing laudanum.

“Have this, Your Grace,” he said, giving it to the Duchess.

“It’s laudanum. He might need it to sleep, or if he has headaches that are refusing to leave, he could use it. No more than two drops should be added to wine at one time,” Dr Frederick said.

The Duchess opened her mouth to speak, and then closed it. She placed the bottle on the table beside the Duke’s head. Dr Frederick nodded and walked towards the door.

“I’d like to take my leave now,” he said.

“Alright,” she said.

“Dr Frederick, I know this, but I just want to confirm that you will keep your discovery a secret. It is important for the political stability of the barony that no one thinks this more than a passing seasonal ailment. It is also important that Jeffrey does not come to this knowledge,” she said.

Dr Frederick nodded. He wondered why she would want to keep such knowledge away from her son.

“We want him to sit up and realise that being a Duke’s son is more than frolicking with a new woman every season and socialising with friends. If he finds out that his father is terminally ill, and he is soon to be the Duke, I fear for what my son will do.”

Dr Frederick nodded his head and turned to the door. He wasn’t going to speak of it outside the room even if the Duchess hadn’t asked.

It is unethical.

Dr Frederick opened the door and walked into the waiting room. Roman sat on his chair. He looked up to Dr Frederick as Dr Frederick came out of the room. The Duchess came out immediately behind him.

“Roman, where is the parcel?” she said.

The steward had it ready as it was in his right hand. He stretched it to the Duchess who collected it and gave it to Dr Frederick.

“Thank you very much, Your Grace,” Dr Frederick said.

“So when should we expect you again, Dr Frederick?” she asked.

Dr Frederick smiled.

“Let’s hope you don’t get to see me again, Your Grace,” he answered.

The Duchess laughed.

“I hope I don’t, and if I do, just for social visits and during balls,” she said between chuckles.

Dr Frederick laughed and turned. He walked to the end of the room and was passing through the door leading to the staircase when a shadow appeared on the wooden floor. A tall, hefty man walked into the room. The man had dark eyes with long, feminine lashes. His eyes took in the entire room at once then focused on Dr Frederick. The man looked at Dr Frederick like he was an intruder.

This would be their first son, Lord Jeffrey.

“Lord Jeffrey,” Dr Frederick said with a slight bow.

He heard Roman repeat the same greeting.

“Son, your arrival is very apt. Dr Frederick just attended to your father,” the Duchess said.