A Duke to Remember (A Season for Scandal Book 2) Read Free

this a desperate, drugged wish, wrought by the grief and sorrow of a mother who had lost a son? “Where is Noah now?” Elise repeated.
    The duchess was silent for nearly a full minute before her shoulders slumped forward once again. “Who are you?” she asked Elise. “Are you another doctor?”
    Elise closed her eyes briefly. “Yes,” she replied.
    “I don’t want to go in the cold water again,” the duchess pleaded, and her voice shook. “Where is Abigail?”
    “She’s coming,” Elise told her. “She’s coming as soon as she can so you can go home.”
    “I don’t want to stay here anymore.” Withered, bent fingers clawed at Elise’s own hands.
    “You won’t have to. I promise.” She said it knowing promises were dangerous things. Especially when Elise was sure another month in this place would kill the duchess.
    “I’m very tired,” the duchess whispered.
    “I know.” Elise stood, and the woman’s hands fell away from hers to rest lifelessly on her faded skirts.
    Elise took stock of her surroundings—the heavy stone walls and the thick bars of the gates. This room was a heavily fortified dungeon, and it would be exceedingly difficult to break its prisoner out. Not impossible, of course, for Elise felt certain that there were many inside this place who could be bribed and leveraged if it came to that. But such things took time, especially when Elise did not have any established contacts. And the duchess did not have the luxury of time.
    Ellery cleared his throat loudly behind Elise. “I think that is enough,” he said. “It is clear that my aunt has been fatigued.”
    “Indeed.” Elise retrieved her notebook from the floor, careful to school her expression.
    “What did you discover about this patient?” the steward demanded as Elise approached him. Behind him Ellery was watching her keenly.
    That she has been dosed with narcotics, probably by you. That she might harbor knowledge that would prevent Mr. Francis Ellery from getting what he wants.
    “Her ladyship is clearly delusional,” Elise said, choosing her words with care and telling the men everything they wanted to hear. “Confuses the present with the past, has only scant moments of lucidity, and is unable to recall even the most recent conversations.”
    As expected, both men relaxed. “So you see why the duchess must remain here, don’t you?” Ellery prompted.
    Elise didn’t trust herself to answer. Instead she flipped open her notebook and scribbled Where is Noah Ellery? If only to keep herself from saying something she might regret later.
    “Did you wish to see any of the other patients while you are here today, Dr. Rowley?” the steward asked. “We have one who thinks he’s a dog. Barks till the wee hours of the morning and will only eat off the floor.” He chuckled. “Most entertaining. A pity the public can no longer pay to witness it.”
    Elise took a steadying breath. “No, that will be all for me today. My area of interest is confined to ladies of pedigree.”
    “Too bad.”
    “My thanks for your time, gentlemen.” She forced the words through her lips. “I’ll take my leave now.”
    “Suit yourself.” He frowned. “What hospital are you with again, Doctor? The directors didn’t say.”
    Elise took a last look at the defeated, confused woman still sitting on the edge of her bed. “Neither did I,” she said, and then hurried back toward the maze of corridors that would take her out of Bedlam.
    *  *  *
    Francis Ellery watched the detestable doctor go with a curl to his lip.
    He was both pleased and relieved that the doctor had seen exactly what Francis had wanted him to see, but the insufferable arrogance and disrespect that he’d used to address Francis was enough to make him see red. But that would soon change.
    His father had always been fond of telling Francis he’d been relieved that the burden of the duchy of Ashland had fallen on his older brother’s shoulders. Being a younger son was a