Covered in travel dust and exhausted from the journey home, Elise ordered a bath to be drawn immediately upon her return. Dismissing her maid’s assistance due to the late hour, she had soaked and scrubbed her skin raw in an attempt to rid herself of the foul smell of Lord Tallow that clung to her skin. She was barely able to pull her nightgown over her head. Her body ached from Lord Tallow’s abuse and the jarring of the coach as Benedict had ordered they journey back at a breakneck pace.
Elise wearily crawled into her bed and nestled into soft lavender-scented sheets. But as soon as her eyes shut, Lord Tallow’s voice echoed through her mind. His threatening words of what he had intended for her played over and over. Throwing back the covers, she quickly donned her robe and ventured into the cold and empty hall. Without thought, Elise wandered through the darkened house with John, now assigned to be her bodyguard, following her the entire time.
She found herself entering her favorite room—the library. Elise rested the back of her head against the arm of the settee and curled up into a tight ball as she closed her eyes. The heat from the fire and the comforting smell of books had her muscles finally relaxing.
Settled, Elise fought back a yawn. “John, you may retire.”
“My lady, my orders were to see to your safety until His Grace returns.”
“You haven’t slept the entire journey. I’m certain you must be exhausted.”
The latch to the library door rattled, and Elise’s eyes flew open. John stood at the ready.
Benedict appeared in the doorway. “Ahh… John, my thanks for your diligence, but go and seek out your bed.”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
Elise began to sit up, but Benedict gently pushed her back down. To her surprise, Benedict perched on the edge of the settee and covered her with a throw, tucking it under her chin. His gaze filled with remorse.
Had something happened to Harold?
Benedict said, “I’m sorry.”
Filled with worry, Elise struggled to sit up and winced with pain as her back brushed against the settee. “What happened? Is Harold all right?”
“Thornston is fine.” Benedict focused on his clasped hands in his lap. “I meant I’m sorry I haven’t been a very good brother.”
“Whatever do you mean? You have been generous, and you didn’t force me into marriage as some might have.”
“You mean like Papa.”
Elise rested a hand upon his.
Benedict continued, “I realize now that I let Papa’s extensive lectures on roles and responsibilities change my character upon inheriting the title. There were days I would look in the mirror, and I too did not recognize the man staring back at me, but I behaved and carried on, mimicking our papa. I even foolishly convinced myself that a proper duke wouldn’t marry for love.”
Elise lowered her voice, impersonating their papa. “Love is for fools.”
There was a slight change in Benedict’s posture as he said, “I truly am sorry. Forgive me?”
The cut on Elise’s lip prevented a smirk from forming. “Only if you promise to marry Dorinda.”
Grinning Benedict replied, “Well, I shall need your assistance in convincing her to accept my proposal.”
“Perhaps you should make a list of reasons why she should marry you. Show her you are worthy of her love.”
“And what if I’m not worthy?”
Their gazes collided and Elise solemnly said, “But you are. You. Are. Not. Papa.”
Her brother released a deep breath. “There is one more thing I must share with you. It is not at all pleasant.” He clasped her hand between his and raised his eyes to meet hers. “Mr. Rollingsworth was furious at being forced to board a packet to Australia. Kilman tried to restrain him, but Mr. Rollingsworth managed to steal a knife from Kilman’s boot.”
Elise gasped at the news.
Benedict rushed on to finish. “Mr. Rollingsworth attacked Lord Tallow on the docks. The knife wound to Lord Tallow was fatal.”
She didn’t care that Lord Tallow had died. She felt no remorse for the man that beat her.
“Was Kilman hurt?” The beat of her heart increased as she awaited Benedict’s answer.
“He suffered a severe cut to his face. Thornston escorted him home.”
Elise moved to stand. “I need to go see him.”
“Sister, he’s in no condition to accept visitors, and it is the middle of the night.”
She collapsed back onto the settee. How could she ever repay Kilman? He had been injured due to her actions and investigations.
Elise cared deeply for the man. Kilman had been her pillar of support when she was at her most vulnerable. Sickened by the thought that he would never forgive her for involving him in this mess, she curled back up into a ball.
Elise took in slow, deep breaths. Once she had regained her equilibrium, she asked, “What of Mr. Rollingsworth?”
“He was cuffed and set aboard the ship. He is on his way to Australia.”
All remnants of energy seeped from her body. The ordeal was over.
Soft cotton brushed against Elise as Benedict again tucked the throw about her. “I’m meeting with Thornston in the morn to seek out the Archbishop of Canterbury in Doctors’ Commons.” Benedict paused, and Elise opened her eyes to meet his gaze.
Benedict asked, “It is your wish to marry him, correct?”
For a split second, images of Harold and Kilman flashed before her. It was an unfair comparison for she knew her heart belonged and would always belong to Harold. “Yes, he is the one.” Elise let her eyes shut once more. “I’ve waited for him all these years.”
Benedict stood. “As I suspected.”