Page 9 of How the Duke Saved Christmas

He nodded toward the window and grimaced. “We’ll be here far longer than one night, I’m afraid.”

“We can’t be.” Her heart leapt into her throat from panic, because the foolish thing couldn’t have possibly wanted to spend any more time with Michael than necessary. “Marie needs you at Raleigh Hall.” Her shoulders sagged, and she looked down at her trembling hands as they smoothed over her skirt, even as her right leg stuck nearly straight out from the chair. “You should never have brought me with you,” she whispered. “You would have made far better time on your own and would have been home by now with Marie.”

“Marie needs you, too.”

She forced a grim, self-deprecating smile. “No, she doesn’t.”

No one needed her these days. She was nothing more than a bother to everyone she loved.

Anthony knelt beside her chair. “I’m so sorry for this trip.”

“You don’t have to apologize.” She followed his gaze out the window. The snow had grown so thick that it had turned the day to gray, with no way to tell if the sun were still in the sky at all. “It’s not your fault that the ice and storm made the bridge impassable.”

“Not that.” He rested his hand on her good knee and admitted, “I meant the entire trip.”

Her lips parted in surprise.

“I was the one who suggested that Aunt Gert go to Brighton with her friends for the holidays.” Guilt darkened his face. “I even paid to rent the townhouse for them.”

Her chest squeezed with betrayal. “Anthony…”

“I knew you wouldn’t leave London otherwise, and I wanted you to have a good time for the holidays, just like we used to when we were younger.”

He meant before the accident.

“But I also wanted you to be there for the baby’s arrival. So did Marie. That much wasn’t a ruse. I wanted us to be a happy family again.”

She should have slapped him for his meddling. Instead, she gave a tired sigh and brushed his hair off his forehead.

“I had no idea we’d be forced to stay here. But Wakefield was a dear friend to both of us—still is.” He took her hand in his and held it, as if he feared she might slap him after all. “We can trust him to take care of us.”

Michael had been far more than her friend. Yet she somehow managed to nod and slowly withdrew her hand from his. “I know.”

Anthony grinned. “You forgive me then?”

“I wouldn’t go that far.”

A knock sounded at the door and saved him. He rocked back onto his heels and pulled himself up to his full height. When he opened the door, footmen stood in the hall with her bags. They carried them inside and placed them against the wall, then retreated with polite nods.

Mrs. Bailey stood straight as a post behind them, waiting for her turn to enter and return to Clara’s side.

Clara’s shoulders slumped. She was so tired of it all…

“If you’ll excuse me, I’ll see to my own room and luggage,” Anthony announced. “It’s not too late to trade the carriage for whiskey.”

She forced a teasing lift of her brow and repeated, “Not that far, dear brother.”

He threw her a smile over his shoulder as he left.

Mrs. Bailey scurried inside. She immediately snatched up the throw from the bed and carried it to Clara. “Here, my lady.”

Clara said nothing but let out a long breath as the woman tucked the throw over her lap. When Mrs. Bailey’s back was turned as she fussed with the bags, Clara removed the throw and let it fall to the floor beside the chair.

“Shall I change you out of your traveling dress, miss?” Mrs. Bailey set Clara’s three travel bags that they’d carried with them in the carriage onto the small tea table in front of the fire and began to sort through them. The rest of their trunks and things for the stay had been sent ahead in a separate carriage with Anthony’s valet and most likely had already reached Raleigh Hall. “I can ask the staff to wash it. Your pink dress should keep you warm enough this evening.”

“No,” Clara corrected quietly. “Just my night rail and robe. I’m planning on going straight to bed after my bath.”

Mrs. Bailey’s face fell. “Are you ill?” Her concern darted to the snow-edged window. “We’ll have to send for the physician immediately if—”