A Hidden Duke For The Passionate Lady (Regency Historical Romance)

by Lucinda Nelson

  “Miss Clifford-” Edward tried.

  “Don’t worry, mate. She is right in front of us with an older woman.” Edward nodded and they rushed to where his carriage was.

  His last memory was of being helped inside by Mr. Rowland and his coachman and then, darkness.

  Chapter 29

  Miss Selina Clifford

  There were few times Selina had been so terrified in her life, but seeing Edward getting shot was certainly one of them.

  She was inside his library, walking from one side to another, nervous, while her grandmother drank some chamomile tea which one of the maids prepared to calm her nerves.

  She had written a quick note to her father and, after a moment, another to the Duke of Bellford, as Edward had told her, they became quite close during his trip to Wales.

  Thankfully, the doctor arrived soon, and since he had been in the army as a medic for a few years, Mr. Rowland helped clean the wound while they waited.

  “Sit down, my dear,” Granny said.

  “I can’t, Granny.” Selina was nervous and shaking.

  The older woman patted the seat next to her. “You can and you shall, my dear. Come here, you look like you need a hug.”

  Her grandmother wasn’t known for her affectionate side so, Selina concluded she looked worse than she thought. Unable to deny such a request, Selina sat down next to her Granny and let her put her arms around her as she cried softly.

  “There, sweetheart.” Granny caressed her hair. “I know it was a scary situation but Mr. McAlister is being taken care of.”

  Selina sobbed. “What if he dies, Granny? We fought so hard to be able to be together and now… There was so much blood.”

  “Hush now,” Mrs. Clifford said, kissing the top of Selina’s head. “Mr. McAlister is strong and willful! I have no doubt he will be well.”

  They stayed that way for a few minutes before the door of the library opened, and unusually, since the butler was upstairs helping the doctor, one of the under butlers announced the arrival of Edward’s father.

  “His Grace, Edward Egremont, the Duke of Bellford.”

  The Duke looked pale when he stepped inside the room, worried. Nothing like the man Selina had seen before.

  Both ladies were about to get up when he stopped them. “No, please, don’t get up on my account,” he said. “How is he? How is my son?”

  When Selina let out a sob, it was her grandmother who answered. “We do not know yet. They are still upstairs. We heard some… yelling a while ago. I assume they were taking the bullet out.”

  If possible, the Duke paled even more. “Are both of you alright?”

  “Yes,” Selina finally said. “Edward shielded me against the gunman,” she said. “There was so much blood.”

  “I am sure he will be fine, my dear,” the Duke said and started to walk towards the door. “I will go upstairs and see if I can be of any help.”

  “We will be here, do not worry about a thing.” Mrs. Clifford’s tone was of certainty. “Go to your son, Your Grace.”

  With a nod, the Duke opened the door and almost collided with the under butler and Mr. Clifford.

  “Excuse me, Your Grace,” Selina’s father said, surprised.

  “No need, sir. I apologize, but I must see to my son at once,” the Duke told him.

  “Of course.” Mr. Clifford stepped aside and the Duke hurried upstairs. He then turned to his mother and daughter who were still hugging. “Oh, my darling girl.”

  “Papa!” Selina got up and ran to her father’s arms, the familiarity comforting her.

  “Shh…” he shushed her. “Everything will be alright.”

  * * *

  “…the next thing I know, Mr. McAlister is putting himself between me and the man with the gun,” Selina told her father. “He got shot on the shoulder and before the gunman could load the weapon again, Mr. McAlister punched him and kicked the gun away.”

  Mr. Clifford sighed. “Another debt I owe him. He kept you safe again, this time even putting his own life at risk.”

  “He was rather gallant,” Granny added and Selina snorted in a very unladylike manner, but she couldn’t care at the moment.

  “I am certain he wasn’t trying to be gallant, Mama,” Mr. Clifford’s tone was of exasperation.

  “Might not have been, but he was,” Granny guaranteed. “It was all a bit too much for my nerves, but I do not want to leave before we hear some news about Mr. McAlister.”

  “I agree. It is the least we could do and I do not think Selina is ready to leave, just yet.”

  “I am not, Papa. Please, let’s stay here until I can see him.”

  Mr. Clifford looked at his daughter for a few seconds. “Yes, my dear. I think we can do that and Mr. McAlister will be pleased to see you once he is well enough.”

  * * *

  Edward Egremont, the Duke of Bellford

  The strong smell of blood mixed with medicine invaded the Duke’s senses when he stepped inside his son’s room.

  Seeing him shirtless and with gauze around his shoulder, he breathed in relief when he saw Edward’s chest going up and down as he breathed steadily.

  “Your Grace!” the butler, Mr. Scott, exclaimed and bowed. “I apologize I didn’t greet you, I was-”

  “Not a problem, Mr. Scott. I know you were helping my son.” The Duke nodded at him and his attention went to the doctor, who was finishing bandaging his patient. He was about the same age as his son. “Doctor…?”

  “Schofield, sir. Doctor Adam Schofield,” he told him. “I am a friend and personal doctor of McAlister here in London, and I live close by. Mr. Scott was quick to call me.”

  “How is he?” When the young doctor raised an eyebrow, as if to ask why he would tell him anything, the Duke said, “Mr. McAlister is my son. Were he awake, he would confirm it. Mr. Scott, could you confirm it to Doctor Schofield?”

  “He is, sir. We are not supposed to talk about it, but it is true. This is Edward Egremont, Duke of Bellford.”

  Doctor Schofield’s eyes widened. “I meant no disrespect, Your Grace. I didn’t realize-”

  “I know you didn’t, I just want to know how he is faring,” the Duke interrupted him.

  Doctor Schofield sighed. “He is in no danger, thanks to receiving first aid so soon. The bullet was still inside and we had to hold him down to get it out, but it is gone. He is sleeping off the exhaustion, and I am positive he will be fine in no time. We need to be careful with infections though.”

  “Thank God,” His Grace sighed in relief.

  “He was lucky, Your Grace,” Doctor Schofield added. “A little higher up and the bullet would have hit an artery and he would have bled inside his chest.”

  The Duke could feel himself pale. He couldn’t lose another child. Losing Kathleen had been hard enough. Finding out he had a son, bonding and loving him just to lose him would have been a cruel joke.

  “I brought more hot water, Doctor.” The door opened and it was quite surprising to see a familiar face and by the way the young man stared at him, the sentiment was similar. “Egremont?”

  “Lord Rowland?” he asked in wonder. “What are you doing here?”

  The young man put the cauldron with hot water close to the Doctor. “I was by the Thames when it all happened. I helped Mr. McAlister to his carriage and up here. I did not want to leave before I knew he was out of danger. He was very brave. Even shot and bleeding, he still managed to take down the man who shot him.” He offered his hand and the Duke shook it, still incredulous.

  The Duke couldn’t believe it. Kathleen had been clearly in love with Lord Rowland and had told him so a few weeks before her death. He knew the young Lord Kilcanny, who was also the future Earl of Harlenshire, had feelings for her as well. To have him help his son… It was a small world.

  “Thank you,” the Duke said. “It means a lot, especially from someone else who knew Kathleen.”

  Lord Rowland’s eyes were sad, then. “Lady Egremont is sorely missed, Y
our Grace.”

  “She is,” the Duke agreed. “I am glad we met again, even under these circumstances.”

  “I as well, sir,” Lord Rowland agreed.

  * * *

  Miss Selina Clifford

  He looked so pale, it was the first thing that came to her mind when she was allowed to enter Edward’s bedroom, where he was lying, asleep.

  The maids had cleaned enough so it didn’t look like it was a mess, but what a feeling it had been. He was wearing a robe, something easy to put on and remove, she guessed, and had blankets over him.

  Aware of all the people inside, Selina simply sat next to him, facing his sleeping form and took his hand in hers. Thankfully, it was not cold.

  “He is exhausted because of the bullet extraction, Miss, and a sedative I gave him. He will be on and off sleep for a while,” the doctor said. “The wound was cleaned but we should be aware of any infections, or fever. I know he can be stubborn, but this time he will have to tell us if he is feeling unwell.”

  “I will talk to him and convince him to do so,” Selina said smiling sadly over her shoulder and then looked back at her loved one. “He will get into so much trouble if he keeps his medical condition from either of us.”

  The people inside the room chuckled and Edward stirred a little. “Ed- Mr. McAlister?” Selina asked, hopeful and caught herself before she could say his name in front of others. “Mr. McAlister?”

  “Now,” he said in a rough voice and he started to blink, slowly “I know I am not in heaven because of the pain, but I still hear a voice of an angel.”

  “Well, he sounds absolutely fine to me,” Granny said.

  Selina’s eyes watered and only the people inside the room prevented her from jumping and kissing him right there and then. “How are you feeling?”

  “As if I were shot,” he chuckled but moaned in pain. His green eyes looked her over. “Are you alright? Your grandmother?”

  “We are all fine, you managed to get him before he did us any harm.” Selina took his hand with hers.

  “Good.” It seemed his eyelids were getting heavier once again. “I am glad you are ok.”

  “Of course, we are,” she guaranteed. “You go ahead and sleep now. I will be back tomorrow.”

  He was already closing his eyes as she spoke and in just a few seconds, his breathing evened out while Selina sighed in relief. She brought his hand to her lips and kissed them, never minding the audience. He had just saved her life. She was allowed some leeway.

  “We should go, dear. You need to rest as well,” her father said and even though she knew he was right, she hesitated. She didn’t want to leave his side.

  “I will watch over him, Miss,” Mr. Scott guaranteed, seeing her hesitance. “He will want for nothing.”

  “I will be here early in the morning as well,” the doctor said.

  “If anything happens, you will be the first I write, I guarantee you, Miss Clifford,” the Duke said and she finally nodded.

  “Thank you. I will be back as soon as possible,” she told them and got up from the bed, releasing his hand, even though all she wanted was to have it back. “See you tomorrow, Mr. McAlister,” she whispered and left the room with her father and grandmother in tow.

  All she wanted was a stroll in the open with the man she loved.

  Instead, she got blood on her dress.

  When would life stop playing with her?

  Chapter 30

  Inspector John Potter

  “I want to know how the bloody hell no one born in bloody Wales managed to get a house like this,” Constable Thomas muttered while Mr. McAlister’s butler led them to where said man was resting.

  “My guess is that he is a smart man, Thomas. Now, shush,” the Inspector muttered back. He didn’t want the butler to hear. He had received orders to oversee the investigation himself. Apparently Mr. Edward McAlister had friends in high places and the best of investigators should be on the case.

  The three men stopped and the policemen saw the butler knock on the door and entering. “Your Grace. Sirs. Miss. May I present Inspector John Potter and Constable Ralph Thomas?”

  Inspector Potter raised an eyebrow when he saw the people inside the room. Lying on the bed was, whom he presumed, Mr. Edward McAlister, bandages around his left shoulder. Seated on a chair next to him, a pretty young woman he guessed was the same woman on the report he received, Miss Selina Clifford, a witness. He was surprised to see Mr. Joseph Clifford there. When he heard a Miss Clifford was involved, he didn’t think it would be the same Clifford he knew. They used to go to the same men’s club and knew each other. The other man, he could only guess was related to the wounded Mr. McAlister, and a young Doctor.

  “Ah, Inspector Potter.” Mr. Clifford came forward. He offered his hand and the Inspector shook it. “We were waiting for you. Nice seeing you again even under these circumstances. May I introduce you to His Grace, Edward Egremont, Duke of Bellford?” Both the Inspector and Constable were surprised and bowed their heads instantly. So that’s why he was called, then, and not one of the young Inspectors? “This is Doctor Adam Schofield,” the young doctor nodded their direction while changing the bandages of the wounded man, “my daughter, Miss Selina Clifford” the beautiful red-haired young woman offered them a smile and a bow of her head “and of course, Mr. Edward McAlister.”

  “I would get up and shake your hand, but I am afraid Miss Clifford and Doctor Schofield would not approve,” Mr. McAlister said and despite himself, Inspector Potter felt the corner of his mouth curl up for a second under his thick beard.

  “That will not be necessary, my lord.”

  “Not a lord.” Mr. McAlister sighed. “You have the guy who did this, then? No one will tell me a thing.” He seemed confused. “If they did, I cannot remember. I apologize.”

  Inspector Potter nodded. “We do, sir. You managed to incapacitate him and some of Lord Kilcanny’s guards held him down until we arrived.”

  “That is good.”

  “Do you know who the man is?” the Duke asked.

  “He is not speaking a lot. We believe his name is Walter Haynes, though. Some people by the docks recognized him as he was inquiring about a gun.”

  “I see,” the Duke nodded.

  “Why would he want to hurt Miss Clifford?” Mr. McAlister asked, confused.

  The question made the Inspector raise an eyebrow. “What makes you think he was after Miss Clifford?”

  “He was pointing the gun at her.” The younger man was confused.

  “Why would anyone be after Selina?” Mr. Clifford asked, just as confused and so did the young woman.

  “I do not know, sir. I acted by instinct and pushed Miss Clifford away.”

  Inspector Potter and Constable Thomas, who looked up from his notes, exchanged a look. “Mr. McAlister, we found a drawing of you with Mr. Haynes.”

  If possible, Mr. McAlister looked even more confused. “Of me? I never saw that man before in my life, neither have I ever heard the name Walter Haynes.”

  Raising an eyebrow, the Inspector took a few steps closer to the bed. “Is that so? How can you be so certain?”

  “One of the reasons for my success in business is my memory.” Mr. McAlister explained. “I am good with faces and names. I am aware of who knows who, where I meet people for future references. I can even remember random people’s faces I see on the street that gets my attention somehow.”

  “I see,” Inspector Potter nodded. “Do you know of anyone who would want to harm you? Any unhappy clients?”

  “No,” Mr. McAlister shook his head. “My clients are all very satisfied with my work, and so are the people I buy properties from. I am always generous and I haven’t heard a complaint yet.”

  “Any recent changes in your life we should be aware of? A change someone would like to hurt you because of it?”

  Inspector Potter did not miss the quick glance between Mr. McAlister and the Duke of Bellford – both looking strikingly alike. The Duke�
�s eyes hardened and the younger man’s attention returned to the Inspector.

  “No. I can’t think of a thing.”

  After questioning about the day before events – and assuring the very adamant Duke that any news about the case would be delivered to him, no matter how small or the time – both the Inspector and the Constable were outside the manor, a thin drizzle and a colder breeze passed by them as they walked away.