Of Dukes and Deceptions Read Free Page A

concerns me because it would have greatly reduced the likelihood of causing an accident.”
    “Perhaps, but I can’t be held to account for the location where poachers set their traps. Besides, this back road is so seldom used that I didn’t think she’d be in anyone’s way. I’d quite forgotten you were expected today, you see. But even if I’d remembered, I wouldn’t have anticipated your approaching from this direction.” She wrinkled her brow. “Don’t dukes automatically take the front entrance?”
    “So you hold me responsible for your own neglect.” Nick, who until that point had been enjoying the exchange, felt his anger returning. “In which case, perhaps I should beg your pardon for interrupting Matilda’s lunch.”
    “Oh, don’t concern yourself about that.” Miss Woodley waved his words aside. She didn’t seem in the least put out by his caustic tone. A tone which had been known to reduce grown men to quivering wrecks. “Matilda has a very forgiving nature.”
    For once Nick had no answer to make and concentrated instead upon quelling his surprise at her latest revelation. She’d forgotten that he was engaged to call at Ravenswing Manor. His arrival at any location was usually keenly anticipated, and he couldn’t recall when it had last been overlooked by anyone.
    “I hope no harm came to your equipage,” Miss Woodley said, almost as an afterthought.
    “None, I thank you. And my man and I escaped injury also.”
    She looked at him with an impatient expression. “Well, obviously, I can see that.”
    A dog came hurtling out of the undergrowth, barking at Nick and simultaneously wagging its truncated tail. Nick had seldom seen a more pathetic specimen. Another of her lost causes, presumably. The creature possessed a shaggy brown coat, was missing half an ear and had a twisted hind paw which caused him to limp. But he seemed healthy enough, if one overlooked his injuries and lack of breeding, and was now intent upon jumping up at Nick.
    “Jasper,” Miss Woodley chided with no real conviction in her voice. “Don’t make His Grace all muddy.”
    “It’s a little late for that.” Nick glanced down at his boots as he tickled the dog’s head behind his good ear. “Another rescuee?”
    “Yes. The way some people treat their animals is too barbaric for words.”
    “Then they’re fortunate to have you as their champion.”
    “I do what I can but it’s precious little.”
    He extended a hand and helped her climb from the riverbank onto firmer ground. They walked side by side toward the road.
    “Are we far from your uncle’s estate?”
    “It’s less than two miles yonder. The road to the front drive lies in that direction,” she added with significant emphasis, waving her hand to a left-hand fork in the road ahead.
    They stopped beside the recalcitrant Matilda. The cob offered her mistress one of her incurious glances and snatched a final mouthful of grass before being guided back to the road by Will. It was a feat which Gibson, with years’ worth of experience as head groom at Dorchester Park, hadn’t been able to accomplish.
    Nick again offered his hand to Miss Woodley, this time to assist her onto the gig’s seat. “Then I look forward to seeing you again in a short time. And I trust you’ll have made the patient comfortable in the meantime.”
    “Oh, she’ll do very well.” Miss Woodley looked down at the twitching nose protruding from the shawl. “I’ve cured much more serious injuries than hers with my herbal remedies.” She nodded toward Nick’s team. Gibson was leading them up and down the lane to keep them warm. “They’re magnificent,” she said, looking them over with an obviously professional eye.
    Passing the rabbit carefully to Will, she picked up the reins and clicked her tongue at Matilda, who plodded forward at a painfully slow pace. As he watched her go, Nick realised she still hadn’t bothered to thank him. He chuckled, imagining her embarrassment