“Be warned, my lady,” the butler said. “It is not a pretty sight.”
Violet drew in a breath, straightened her shoulders, and nodded. Whatever was behind the door, she could manage it. She needed to be at his side.
The butler opened the door, stepped in and announced her and her mother. Violet released her mother’s hand and entered the room just behind the butler. She peered around him and gasped.
“Well, that’s a fine welcome,” Duke muttered, his words slightly slurred.
Whether from the laudanum she spotted on one of the tables or from the swelling of his bottom lip, she was not certain. Much of Duke’s face was red and swollen and he remained sitting up in bed, bandages just visible through the thin fabric of an open shirt. Duke motioned her in and winced, pressing a hand to his side.
“My goodness,” she murmured to herself and took a hesitant step toward the bed piled high with cushions.
A canopy of dark red damask shadowed his features, masking some of the damage but creating great shadows under his eyes and in the creases upon his forehead. Her throat tightened. She’d never seen Duke look anything other than rested and polished. Who could have done such a thing?
Duke’s mouth quirked. “That is one way to put it.”
“How painful it looks, Marmaduke,” Mama said. “You poor, poor man.”
“I am still alive.” He hissed a breath through his teeth while he attempted to straighten his position in the bed.
Violet hastened over and motioned with a hand. “Do not even think about moving.”
He rolled his eyes. At least she thought he did. The swelling wasn’t restricted to his mouth but to one eye too. Not much of him was untouched.
“I could not even if I wanted to.” Duke motioned to his upper body. “Broken ribs it seems plus some excellent bruises. Great big purple things. You should see them.”
Violet shook her head. “How can you even jest at a time like this?”
“Well, it beats sitting around here. The doctor says I cannot travel for a good few weeks. What nonsense.”
Mama remained a few steps back, near the butler. She leaned in to talk to the man. “Is that true? He is to be confined to bed.”
“If not bed, my lady, at the very least Bath. Carriage travel is not recommended for some time,” Mr. Shaw responded.
“So you will be here for Christmas,” Violet concluded, glancing behind her to spy a small, delicately carved chair in one corner. She dragged it over, cringing when the legs screeched upon the wooden floor, then placed it firmly at his bedside.
He glanced her over. “Staying, are we?”
“You need the company. I cannot believe you did not send word sooner. How long ago was the attack?”
“Three days, but I was insensible for much of it, and you cannot blame me for not wishing you to see me as such can you?”
“I am certain Marmaduke was not in the right condition to send a letter, were you, my dear?” Violet’s mother came up behind her and set a hand to Violet’s shoulder.
“Yes, but we had to hear it from Lady Fenhurst of all people.” Violet pressed her lips together. The old lady took rather too much delight in informing the ignorant Musgraves of what happened to Duke. Violet wasn’t the sort prone to fainting, but she’d certainly felt light-headed upon hearing the news. Only the idea of Lady Fenhurst spreading gossip about a Musgrave dropping to the ground prevented her legs from giving way.
Duke scowled. “How the devil did she know?” He looked to Mr. Shaw who lifted both hands.
“I am always discrete, sir, you know that,” Mr. Shaw protested.
Violet imagined the man had seen many a scandal in his time as butler to Duke. She tried not to think about all the women the man had likely seen come and go. Now was not the time to dwell on such matters. She leaned forward put a hand to Duke’s arm. His flesh was cool and if not for the state of him, she’d be leaping up and tucking him in.
“You were beaten and left for dead, Duke,” Violet reminded him gently. “It’s not something that goes unnoticed.”
“The devils. Who beats a man at Christmas?” her mother asked.
Violet shared an amused look with Duke. “Or at all, Mama?”
“Well, yes, of course. But what did they want? If they wanted to thieve, surely they could have demanded some coin and be gone. Why hurt you so gravely?” Her mother made a disgusted noise. “I really do not know what is becoming of the world. It has gone mad, I tell you.”