Page 61 of Her Bear of a Duke
"I thought that you knew her very well."
"I thought the same, but it was not the case."
"Do you hate her, Uncle?"
It was an odd question to answer. Morgan did not like her, but hatred was perhaps too strong a word.
"I do not hate anyone," he promised her. "She is not my favorite person, but you are right. She is your aunt, and we must accept that."
She still seemed uncertain, but Morgan was as content as he could be. He had his answers, and that was all that he could hope for in that moment. He had to keep to his promise, and that meant leaving Lady Annabelle with her.
He returned to the hallway, and saw that they were not there. He looked to his butler, who seemed quite uncertain.
"They are in the drawing room, Your Grace," he explained.
"Has she done anything?"
"No, quite the opposite. She has been very cordial with your wife, from what I heard."
"That is good, at least."
He went to the drawing room, and as he entered both ladies looked up at him.
"Hello again, Your Grace," Lady Annabelle greeted. "Is it time for me to meet my niece properly?"
"Indeed, but should you say one thing that I deem unfair you shall be sent away again."
"I have no intentions of that, and so all is well."
She left for the west wing, the place she had been on previous visits, and Morgan took a seat beside Dorothy. She placed her tea onto the table, and Morgan leaned forward to touch her teacup.
"It is cold," he muttered. "Did you not touch it?"
"I did not much feel like it. I do not mean to be difficult, as her visit has nothing to do with me, but it feels strange to have her here with us."
"It will not be for long. I do not want her here any more than you do, but Catherine deserves to see her aunt."
"Precisely, which is why I will smile and be pleased about it. I will say, though, that she is not the loveliest lady."
"Then it is just as well that you are my wife and she is not," he chuckled, taking her hand as he had after her fall.
She winced as he moved her arm, and he placed his fingers on the buttons of her cuff. He looked to her for permission to unbutton it, and she nodded gently. He unbuttoned it and pulled back her sleeve, grimacing at the mottled colors that struck across it.
"That looks dreadful. Does it hurt?"
"Yes, but it is better than it was. Francine believes it will be gone within the week."
"Yes, but even so, I feel terrible. I should have protected you."
She laughed softly, and Morgan knew why that was; he had no control over the horse bucking, and it was not possible for him to catch her or any such thing, but he still felt immense guilt. He had asked her to ride with him, even though she was not skilled.
"Believe me, I felt very safe. You came to me in an instant, and you helped me to my feet. It was frightening, but I am well. I survived."
"If you are certain. I do want you to feel safe here, Dorothy. I know that this is not ideal, but my priority is the happiness of yourself and Catherine."
"My priority is also yourself and Catherine. That is why I am perfectly happy to have our visitor here. My only concern pertains to you. Are you happy for her to be here?"
"It is necessary, but it will be done with soon enough. She will only be here for the afternoon, and then–"
