“It would be my pleasure, my lord,” the servant said, taking the easel and supplies from him.
“Thank you,” he said.
Thomas studied the footman for a short while before approaching him. “You, there,” he said. “What is the purpose of your presence?”
The footman looked at Thomas and cleared his throat. “Her Grace, the Dowager Duchess sent for the local physician, and I was instructed to wait for his arrival.”
“Dr. Morton?” Thomas asked, to which the footman nodded. “Why did she send for Dr. Morton?”
“Her Grace feels unwell and wished for the physician to come and examine her.”
Thomas narrowed his eyes, immediately suspicious of his mother’s actions. He had known his mother his entire life, and she refused to have anyone except her own physician examine her. What were her intentions?
Hopefully she would not act in a manner that would insult Dr. Morton.
As he opened his mouth to respond, the sound of carriage wheels and horse hooves trampling the ground sounded in the air, growing louder with each passing moment. Thomas turned around and saw the carriage making its way towards the manor house.
Much to his surprise, Rebecca was sitting beside her father, her eyes wide and staring directly at him.
Had his mother requested her presence as well? If she had, what was the purpose?
Thomas began to grow more and more suspicious of his mother’s actions, but he wouldn’t have the opportunity to confront her before the doctor arrived. He was, however, prepared to apprehend his mother if she were to try to harm Rebecca in any manner. That was something he would not tolerate.
The carriage came to a stop and both he and the footman stepped forward. But Thomas realized it was not his place to receive them at their carriage. They were not his guests, after all. The footman assisted Rebecca from the vehicle, and Dr. Morton followed immediately after.
The cold glare he received from Dr. Morton was understandable, and it was perfectly contrasted by the warmth that lingered in Rebecca’s gaze.
“Dr. Morton, it is good to see you,” Thomas said formally.
“Indeed,” the physician said simply, stepping away from him.
“Good afternoon, Miss Rebecca,” Thomas said, greeting her with the formality he was not used to in her presence, but was certainly required.
“Good afternoon, my lord,” she said, reciprocating his formality.
“I believe my mother requested your presence, Dr. Morton,” Thomas said, desperate to find out why Rebecca had joined her father.
Rebecca had informed him earlier that her father wished for her to stay away from him, yet here she was at the estate. Was it of her own accord, or had she somehow swayed her father’s mind to allow her to visit with Thomas?
Judging by the cold manner in which Dr. Morton spoke to Thomas, that was certainly not the case. His mother had also made her disdain and disapproval of Rebecca clear, and she would not appreciate Rebecca’s presence at Finlay Hall.
“Indeed. Both of our presence, for that matter,” Dr. Morton answered.
“Is that so?” Thomas asked, as he glanced briefly at Rebecca.
“Indeed. Apparently, Her Grace is feeling unwell and wished for us both to attend to her.”
Thomas nodded. His mother was up to something that would not produce a positive outcome. What did she have planned?
His imagination was running away with him, and even though he knew that he might be over-reacting, he was well aware of his mother and her sly mannerisms. She was certainly up to something, and Thomas was determined to find out what it was. Even if that meant confronting her while Dr. Morton and Rebecca were present.
“Allow me to escort you both to my mother’s guest suite,” Thomas offered, and before giving Dr. Morton the option or the opportunity to decline, he motioned to the front door of the manor house. “I am certain that she would wish to be examined as quickly as possible, given the urgency of her request.”
Dr. Morton and Rebecca followed him as he led them through the foyer and towards the main stairwell. He noticed the awe and wonder in Rebecca’s eyes as she lightly touched the smooth wooden bannister and he longed to touch her in the same manner. He still recalled the image of her body from under the wet dress at the beach, the curves of her hips and her breasts.
A shiver ran down his spine, a warm feeling spreading quickly through him. Of course, he had no choice but to end his thoughts. It was not appropriate to think of her in such a manner. Thinking of their kiss did not help matters.
Deciding that he must be a responsible, mature man and not the impulsive child his mother thought he was, he commandeered his thoughts away and straightened his shoulders. Perhaps after today he would finally have the opportunity to tell his mother that he no longer wished to honour her wishes. If that meant he would be excluded from her will, causing him to not inherit what was rightfully his, then so be it.
Chapter Eight.
With her nerves on edge, Rebecca followed Thomas and her father up a grand stairwell. The bannister was carved from dark wood and it was smooth to the touch. Although her shoulders were tense as she was unsure of what was about to happen, she was put at ease ever so slightly by Thomas’ presence.
And despite not being able to walk too closely behind him, his brief glances in her direction assured her that he welcomed her presence. She found comfort that he was there, but it certainly did not detract from the fact that there may be trouble on the horizon.
Or perhaps she was merely imagining it? Perhaps the Dowager Duchess merely required medical attention. She was, after all, a well-aged woman.
Thomas stopped in front of an intricately carved door and inhaled slowly. He knocked on the wooden panel and without even allowing the person to respond, immediately opened the
