The Duke's Challenge Read Online Free

you will be Miss Carstairs, Miss Elizabeth and Master
Harry’s legal guardian. You cannot evict them for they are your
responsibility.’
    The sound of
running footsteps in the passageway outside alerted Jack to the arrival of the
hated children. These were worse than adults for pointing and staring and
asking in loud piercing voices why the gentleman was so hideous.
    ‘I have no
intention of discussing the matter with a servant. Get on with your duties.’ He
spun and left the room his head down, his right-hand obscuring his injury,
ignoring the arrival of the nursemaid and her charges.
    He headed to
his own domain. The drawing room, study and morning room - now serving as his bed
chamber - was the only place he felt safe. He needed a drink - badly. What he
didn’t need was a parcel of brats and their sister foisted on him. They could
stay for the moment, a week or so, until the girl was well enough to travel,
then he would send them packing.
    *
    Charlotte
opened her eyes, unsure where she was or why her head hurt so abominably. She
was in a strange dark room; this was not the room at the inn for that that had contained
more furniture. She tried to raise herself and instantly regretted it. A wave
of nausea flooded over her and she sank back on the pillows.
    ‘Oh miss, you’re awake, I’m so glad. You’ve given us quite a turn these
past few days.’ Annie dipped a cloth into a chipped china bowl and carefully
wiped Charlotte’s face. ‘There, is that better?’
    ‘A little,’
her voice was scarcely audible. ‘Where am I? Why am I hurt?’
    ‘You’re at
Thurston Hall, miss – you were struck by a stone. The doctor has visited every
day, and very nice soft spoken man he is too, and he insists you remain in your
bed for a day or two longer, at least.’ Annie fussed with the bed covers. ‘You
have a concussion and a nasty cut, but it has been stitched up a treat.’
    ‘Good. And
the children— how are they?’
    ‘They love it
here. Betty is taking care of them so you mustn’t worry. Just rest and recover
yourself, miss.’
    Charlotte
closed her eyes; even with shutters the sun filtered through and aggravated her
headache. Why had Annie not pulled the bed hangings? Feeling too ill to ask,
she allowed the welcome blackness to sweep her away once more.

 
    Early the
next morning she was woken by a shuffling and rustling, and muted whispers. Her
lips curved in welcome. ‘Beth, Harry come over and speak to me. Don’t hide in the shadows like burglars.’
    ‘Lottie,
you’re well again. We have been so worried but neither Annie nor Betty would
let us in,’ Beth said as she hurried to the bedside.
    ‘And we were
ever so quiet - did you really think we were robbers?’ Harry asked.
    Charlotte
opened her eyes. The room, this time, remained still. She risked turning her
head a few inches - no searing pain. ‘Help me to sit up both of you. I want to
know what Thurston Hall is like and what you have both been doing these past
few days to occupy yourself. And more importantly, how did grandfather take to
our arrival?’
    Beth managed
to pull her forward whilst Harry pushed a pile of wilted pillows behind her.
‘There, Lottie, you can lean back, you’ll be comfortable now.’
    ‘Thank you,
Harry, that’s splendid. And thank you, Beth darling. Now, can you and Harry
open the shutters? I would really like to see exactly how unsatisfactory my
chamber is.’
    The children
ran across and with much banging and muttering finally achieved their
objective. Sunlight flooded the room and Charlotte glanced round in horror.
‘Good heavens! There is no carpet, no chaise-longue ,
or indeed furniture of any sort in here. It is far worse than I thought.’
    Harry
scrambled up beside her on the bed. ‘The whole house is like this, Lottie,’ he
told her gleefully. ‘I can run about where I like and not break anything and
the mud from my boots doesn’t notice on the floors.’
    ‘Oh dear! Beth? Is it as bad as Harry