Eugenia gaped for a moment, then returned his smile. “How did you know?”
The Duke chuckled. “I know what it is like to be thrown to the ground,” he said. “I felt your head hit the earth but hard. Besides, I saw the pain in your eyes, your face.”
“Lady Helena insisted I take some laudanum last night.”
His smile faltered and his eyes narrowed. “Does she not know – perhaps she does not, at that.”
“Know what?”
“One who had been injured in the head must not take laudanum,” he explained. “I do not know why, but it is something I have been told for time out of mind.”
Eugenia’s mouth went dry, but she smiled up at him. “No harm done.”
“This time. Just remember the next time you get knocked in the head, no laudanum.”
“I will remember.”
The Duke cocked his head toward the dining hall. “I must leave you, Miss Betham. Perhaps when the weather clears, we might stroll once again in the garden. Without being shot at.”
Her previous determination to tell him he must not turn his interest toward her died under the onslaught of his charming smile, his rugged handsomeness, his masculine power. She wanted to tell him no, it cannot happen, but her lips formed a curve from ear to ear. She replied, “I will look forward to it.”
“Excellent. Until then, Miss Betham.”
“Until then, Your Grace.”
Her guilt forgotten for the moment, Eugenia floated into the kitchen, her mind dreamy, her heart pounding with excitement. She returned Deryn’s shy embrace and the cook’s hearty smile and devoured her kippers, bacon, fried potatoes and hot bread dripping butter with an appetite she had not realized she had. Only when she wiped the last of her eggs with her bread from her plate did the realization of what just occurred struck her.
Dropping the piece of bread to her plate, uneaten, she felt her guilt rise to look her straight in the eye.
What have I done? I accepted his invitation to walk in the garden without an escort and without Lady Helena's knowledge.
So this is what it feels like to be a traitorous strumpet.Eugenia thanked the cook for his hearty meal and Deryn for serving her. She then left the kitchen.
If Lady Helena convinces him to play cards or chess, then I can lurk in her apartments and not see him. Perhaps I will get lucky and vanish for all eternity.
With her duties in mind, Eugenia returned to the apartments and cleaned them. She put away her mistress’s clothes after she brushed them out, tidied the dresser, made Lady Helena's bed and her own. Adding wood to the fire on the hearth, she took a moment to stare into the flames, mesmerized. Only when the door opened and slammed closed was she broken from her thoughts.
Lady Helena's face streamed tears as she flounced upon her bed. “I hate him,” she declared, sobbing. “I want to go home.”
Eugenia rushed to the bed and sat beside her, holding Lady Helena in her arms. “What happened? I thought you would be playing chess in the library with him by now.”
“He said no. Unless we ride, he wants to see his horses in the stable today. He claims he has amareabout to foal. Oh, to have to compete withhorsesfor his affection. I would much rather compete with another woman than a bunch ofbloodyhorses.”
Eugenia gasped in shock. “My Lady! You just cursed.”
“I do not care,” she snapped, sniffling, holding her handkerchief to her face. “Men swear all the time. Why cannot I?”
“Because you are a high-born lady, that is why,” Eugenia said sternly. “Do not make me tell your lady mother.”
That broke Lady Helena's tears into choking laughter. “Can you see Mother’s reaction?” she gasped, cried and laughed at the same time. “Oh, dear, that would simply tie her intofits.”
Forced into her own giggles, Eugenia said, “It might send her to bed with the vapors.”
That image made them both break into loud brays of laughter. They held each another and giggled until their tears flowed freely. They whispered between them every curse word they ever heard and gasped over which was worse,bloodyas opposed todamn it,or even the dreaded wordhell.Eugenia’s ribs ached with a burning pain as she held her chest with both arms, unable to stop laughing.
Lady Helena finally wiped her tears, still giggling. “Come on,” she said, gasping for breath. “Let me have another chance to beat you at cards.”
Her own misery forgotten, for the time being, Eugenia broke out the cards, and they spent the next few hours playing and enjoying one another’s company, while the rain streamed down the windows. Luncheon came, and as had become their usual routine, Lady Helena went into the dining hall and Eugenia to the kitchen. However, this time Eugenia observed the Duke standing near the kitchen, his eyes on her.
