“I do.”
“In that event, I will see you in two days.” He grinned. “Unless you have need of me sooner.”
Henrietta grimaced. “We have been sending for you a great deal recently.”
“I’d much rather attend to the patients you bring me than people who only think they are ill.” Dr. Daintree smiled. “Don’t forget to get some rest yourself.”
“I will remember.” She would rest when Nate was better.
“I will see that she does, sir.” Spyer entered the room carrying a small travel bag, followed by a footman carrying one of Henrietta’s smaller trunks. “Miss is just like the rest of her family. Always tending to others first.”
She closed her eyes and shook her head. Spyer had only been with Henrietta for a little over a year, but she had obviously been with her long enough to take the measure of her family.
Her maid glanced around the room and focused on Mrs. Garford. “I am Spyer, Miss Stern’s dresser. Where would you like me to put these?”
“I am Mrs. Garford, the housekeeper. If you follow me, I’ll show you to a room.”
Millie came in as the other two women left. “Here’s your ice, miss.”
“Thank you, Millie.” The maid must be the housekeeper’s second in command.
She put a bowl on the bedside table. “Is there anything else I can do for you? Some tea?”
“Not right now. Perhaps in a little while. Thank you for asking.”
The maid bobbed a curtsey and left the room, but Styles entered the bedchamber in her wake “Thank you for fetching Spyer.”
“It was my pleasure, Miss Stern. If his lordship was awake, I am certain he would want me to lend you any assistance I am able. I am happy to sit with his lordship while you change. I will also make myself available to take care of any errands you have.”
In other words, he would have footmen and maids running around fetching Henrietta anything she needed or wanted. “I appreciate your offer, Styles.”
“Of course, miss.” He bowed again. “May I say that it will be a pleasure to serve you?”
Tears pricked Henrietta’s eyes again. “I look forward to joining the family.”
When he left through a side door she hadn’t noticed before, she finally sank back onto the chair and began applying the ice to Nate’s injured head, praying that he would soon wake up. If only she could do something more.
* * *
Dotty entered Dom’s study and he came out from around his desk. “Let us sit in front of the fire.”
She allowed him to guide her to the small leather sofa and sank down on it, then rubbed her forehead.
He poured two glasses of wine, handed her one of them, grabbed a plate from his desk, and sat next to her. “How did your talk with Grace go?”
Dotty took a sip of wine. “I have no idea why I thought she would give him up once she had made up her mind. I am not usually so stupid.” A smile tugged at Dom’s lips, and she wanted to roll her eyes. “You are thinking that she is much like I am.”
“That, my love, is because she is.” His smile grew. “And your mother, and your grandmother.” He looked at the plate, selected a piece of cheese, and ate it. “I take it you have changed your stance on the marriage.”
Dotty did not even try to stifle her sigh. “That is where Grace comes in. She has a way of making one see when one is being difficult, or has not taken everything into account.”
“She does have a way of doing that,” Dom agreed.
“Alice Carpenter thinks I could be having some sort of delayed reaction to the abduction.”
“Alice?” His brows rose.
“For a sixteen-year-old, she can be very perceptive.” Dotty grimaced.
“What do you think of her opinion?” He had turned so that his knee was on the sofa and he was facing her.
“I think she might be right. As you and Grace both pointed out, I do believe in second chances. I really did not believe I had been afraid. I was never in any danger. I always thought I was more irritated that he was trying to make me miss my betrothal ball and make you doubt me.”
“But?”
Dotty took a larger sip of wine. “I have decided to let him talk to me.”
Dom inclined his head. “I think that is a good idea. When he can talk, that is.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“I told you he had a head injury.” She nodded. “He is unconscious. Apparently he bled a great deal. While you were gone, Henrietta sent for another gown because hers was bloody.”
“Oh no!” Dotty covered her mouth. As angry as she still was with him, she had not wanted him harmed. “Will he live?”
“I saw Daintree, and he thinks Fotherby will be all right, but we must wait and see.”
She had thought her sister was there simply to lend moral support. “Henrietta must be frantic with worry.”
“Not she.” Dom barked a laugh. “Apparently she entered the house, introduced herself, and started giving orders to the staff, as well as cleaning and bandaging the wound. They are all quite impressed.” He gazed steadily at Dotty. “The footman who accompanied them said Fotherby saved Henrietta from being stabbed with a knife.”
And she still took things in hand. Dom had not exaggerated when he compared Henrietta to Mama, Grandmamma, and Dotty. How had she not seen the strength in her own sister? “When will she be home?”
Her husband raised a brow. “That will depend on you. I know you are still not happy about the wedding.”
“No, I am not.” Even after everything Dotty had been told, she still could not bring herself to forgive him. She decided to tell him the other piece of information she had learned while at Worthington House. “There is something else that might interest you.”
“What is that?”
“Grace thinks I might very well be carrying twins.”
He jumped up and stared at Dotty. “Twins?”
She nodded. “We are due within a month of each other, and we are about the same size around. She said that would explain my moodiness and why I am not sleeping well.”
He dragged a hand down his face. “I am definitely taking you home as soon as possible.”
“Yes, well.” She grimaced. “First we have a wedding to get through.”
“Not to mention your family coming to Town.” He reached down and took her hands as he sat again. “I suggest letting your mother and Lady Fotherby plan the wedding breakfast.”
“That is exactly what I shall do.” Dotty would smile and pretend to be happy for her sister, but, at this point, that was all she could manage.
“I, on the other hand, must negotiate the settlement agreements.” An evil grin appeared on her husband’s face.
“You are going to do to him what Worthington did to you.” It was not even a question. She did not know all the details, but she knew that he had held Dom’s feet over the fire.
“That is my intent. As soon as he is well enough to engage in a mental battle.” He unfolded himself from the chair and stalked around the table. “Now, though, you are going to take a rest. You’ve had a tiring day.”
She could not disagree with that. Dotty had no sooner risen when she was swept up into his strong arms. “I can walk.”