“Yes, Mama,” Violet said. She’d heard the same declaration from most of her elderly relatives and would no doubt be declaring the same thing one day too.
Duke shifted slightly and Violet assumed the movement was a shrug. Whatever it was it caused him pain and she rose, but Duke took her hand, preventing her from moving away.
“I was going to get you some laudanum. For the pain.” She grimaced. Silly. Of course it was for the pain. She just loathed seeing him this way.
“I’ve had more than enough of that. If it were up to Shaw, he’d have me dosed up enough that I’d sleep the entire day away.” Duke leaned in slightly. “He says I’m less trouble that way.”
“So you will be spending Christmas abed?”
“Well, with any luck I shall be able to hobble by then, and word has already been sent to my father. I’ve requested he join me here soon when I am in better health.”
“Oh that’s excellent news.” Mama clapped her hands together. “I so hate to think of you alone during the festive season.”
“I shall be perfectly fine,” he assured them.
“But in the meantime, you must come with us,” Mama continued.
Violet twisted to eye her mother. “Mama?”
“When you are able to be moved of course,” she clarified. “But you need a woman’s touch.”
“I have maids,” Duke said.
“Atenderwoman’s touch. Violet can look after you at our house and then your father can join us.”
Mama set her jaw and Violet resisted the desire to close her eyes. Once her mother got an idea into her mind, she would not let it go. None of the Musgraves were very good at that actually.
A light slowly entered her mother’s eyes. Her lips curved as though she had only just realized what she had said. “Oh yes, what a wonderful idea actually. We can spend Christmas all together!”
“Uh,” Duke began.
“How soon can you have his belongings ready?” Mama asked Mr. Shaw.
“Within a day, my lady.”
“Traitor,” Duke hissed under his breath.
“You will not dissuade her.” Violet glanced at her mother’s determined expression. “She will not let you be alone at Christmas.”
“My father will be here,” he pointed out.
Violet shrugged. “But not for some time. In the meantime, you have much healing to do.”
“You can heal under Vi’s watchful eye.”
Duke met Violet’s gaze. “And you are content to play nursemaid?”
Violet lifted both palms. She hadn’t planned to spend the festive season at a man’s bedside, however, she was not certain she liked the idea of leaving Duke alone, even if he did have servants to keep him company. “I’m not certain I have a choice.”
“It seems I am left with little choice either.” He hefted out a sigh. “Very well, Lady Porchester. As soon as I am fit to move, I shall join you at your house.”
∞∞∞
There were few times in Duke’s life when he did not appreciate being surrounded by women. There was something about the scent of them, the way they laughed, their tender touches and soft smiles that appealed to him. The loss of his mother and sister to a shipwreck when he was but a young man left his life rather bereft of the feminine, so he took every opportunity to relish women and all they had to offer.
However, when one was in agony from the brief carriage ride to the home of the Musgraves and feeling less than elegant after mere rub downs with a damp cloth and a hefty douse of cologne, it was hard to appreciate all the flapping and fussing.
Violet remained at his side whilst Lilly carved a path through the house, demanding every servant step aside. Violet lingered behind him but even the shyest of the sisters did not refrain from muttering warnings every now and then.