Whirlwind Wedding

'How do your feet feel?' Elizabeth asked.

Carters stood bounced several times on the balls of his feet, then took a few tentative steps. Pure amazement spread across his thin face. 'Why, they don't hurt a bit, your grace.' He walked back and forth in front of her several times.

'Excellent.' She handed Carters the bowl. 'Put this in your quarters and place a wet handkerchief over it to keep it moist. Apply the cream before you go to sleep and again in the morning. Your blisters will be gone in no time.'

Carters accepted the bowl from Elizabeth and shot an uncertain glance at Austin. 'Thank you, your grace. You've been most kind.'

'It was my pleasure, Carters. If you need any help applying your bandages, let me know. And I'll have that poultice ready for you to bring to your mother tomorrow.' Elizabeth smiled an angel's smile at him and Carters grinned back like a besotted schoolboy.

'That will be all, Carters,' Austin said cocking his head toward the door in a pointed fashion.

At the sound of his employer's voice, Carters apparently remembered himself. He straightened jerked his jacket into place, and wiped his face clean of all expression. Turning smartly on his heel, he quit the room with barely a limp, closing the door behind him.

The instant the door clicked shut, Elizabeth jumped to her feet and asked 'Did you discover anything?'

'No. I was able to confirm that Gaspard has indeed been in the area, but I didn't find him.'

'I'm sorry.' Her gaze searched his face. 'Are you all right?'

'I'm fine. Disappointed but fine.' Needing to touch her, he slid his arms around her waist and drew her to him. She felt so damn good in his arms, and he resolutely pushed away the memories of the filth he'd seen that afternoon. 'I am also amazed. I've never seen Carters so much as crack a grin, and you had him laughing? He dropped a quick kiss onto her nose. 'Unbelievable.'

'He's not nearly as formidable as I thought,' she remarked resting her palms on his lapels. 'He's actually rather sweet.'

'Carters? Sweet? Good God, now I've heard everything.' He rolled his eyes heavenward and she laughed. 'I must say, seeing you kneeling before my butler, doctoring his feet, surprised me.'

'Why is that?'

'It's not something normally done by a duchess, Elizabeth. You shouldn't be so familiar with the servants. And you certainly shouldn't have their bare feet perched on your lap.' He smiled to take some of the sting out of his rebuke, but she took immediate umbrage.

'Carters was in pain, Austin. You cannot expect me to allow someone to suffer simply because I'm a duchess and it is therefore deemed improper to help.' She raised her chin a notch, her eyes shooting sparks of challenge. 'I'm afraid I feel quite strongly about this.'

A mixture of respect and irritation suffused him. He wasn't used to being defied but it had been obvious since the moment they'd met, Elizabeth cared not a fig for his lofty title or position. The fact that she stood before him, eyes flashing, gaze unflinching, not backing away from his possible anger, filled him with pride and respect for her. She knew how to doctor people, and she was going to do it, by God whether he liked it or not.

And who the hell was he to argue about her flouting propriety? God knows he'd done so himself on many occasions, most recently when he'd taken an American as his duchess. Bloody hell, he felt like hugging her. Of course, it wasn't necessary to let her know that. Instead he arranged his face into a suitably serious expression.

'Well, I suppose if helping those who suffer is that important to you-'

'I assure you it is.'

'And it would please you to have my blessing and approval?'

'Very much.'

'And if I refuse?'

She didn't hesitate for a second. 'Then I shall be forced to help people without your blessing and approval.'

'I see.' She was so magnificent, he wanted to applaud her for her courage and spirit in spite of her defiance.

Cupping a gentle hand to his face, she said, 'Please understand, Austin. I have no wish to defy you or anger you, but I simply cannot stand to see suffering. Neither can you, you know. You're far too kind and noble to allow others to be in pain.'

Austin drew her closer to him, inordinately pleased that his wife thought him kind and noble.

'I'm so relieved that you're home,' she whispered next to his ear. Her warm breath tickled him, sending a legion of pleasurable chills down his back. 'I was so worried… I couldn't have borne it had anything happened to you.'

The 'Elizabeth' feeling rushed through him like the floodgates had opened. She cared about him. And if this extraordinary woman cared about him, perhaps he wasn't so bad after all.

Emotion welled in his throat. Leaning back, he framed her face between his hands and gently stroked his thumbs over her smooth cheeks. 'I'm fine, Elizabeth.' A teasing grin pulled at his lips. 'Perhaps not so robust as you, but fine nonetheless. And you have my blessing and approval to heal anyone you wish. On one condition.'

'That being?'

He lowered his mouth until it hovered just over hers. 'I insist on receiving the bulk of your tender ministrations.'

She wound her arms around his neck. 'Of course, your grace.' Leaning into him, she pressed against his very obvious arousal. 'Oh, my,' she whispered. 'It appears you need some administering to right now. I believe we should begin. At once.'

'An excellent suggestion,' he agreed huskily as his lips claimed hers. She sighed his name and guilt wrapped around him like a noose.

He knew she would not be pleased when he told her he planned to return to the waterfront that evening.

Chapter 15

Robert, Caroline, Miles, and the dowager duchess stood in the foyer of Austin's London town house, surrendering their shawls, jackets, hats, and bonnets to Carters.

'Where are the duke and duchess?' Caroline asked the butler after he'd finished seeing to their outer garments.

'In the library, Lady Caroline. I shall announce you.'

Robert watched Carters stride down the corridor. Stopping in front of the library door, he knocked discreetly. After nearly a minute passed he knocked again.

When another full minute passed with no response, a knot of worry pulled Robert's insides. With Bow Street Runners turning up dead and now Austin not answering the door… damn it all! Turning to Miles, he asked in an undertone, 'Do you think something is wrong?'

A concerned frown knitted Miles's brow. 'I don't know, but based on recent events, I'd say it's possible.'

'Well, I'm not going to stand about in the foyer any longer,' Robert whispered. He strode down the corridor, Miles right behind him. Footsteps echoed behind them, indicating the others had followed as well.

'Is something amiss, Carters?' Robert asked.

Carters drew himself up straight as a stick. 'Certainly not. I am merely waiting for his grace to bid me to enter.'

'Are you certain he's in the library?' Miles asked.

'Positive.' Carters knocked once more, again receiving no response.

Robert and Miles exchanged glances. 'The hell with this,' Robert muttered. He reached around Carters and opened the door, ignoring the butler's outraged gasp.

Stepping over the threshold Robert halted so abruptly, Miles slammed into his back and nearly knocked him