Page 10 of The Not So Perfect Duke

“I will not ask for such a sacrifice from you, but I will involve you should I take your case. What can you tell me?” She held her pencil, ready to take notes.

“First. In the matter of death. My father passed away late last night. I was called to his town house at two this morning and have not been to bed since. I need you to send your police surgeon to St. Thomas’s to assist with the autopsy. My father’s doctor will be in attendance as well.”

“Was the death suspicious?”

Damon explained how his father was found as Althea furiously took notes. Good Lord, these peers were a depraved lot.

“It could be a heart attack, as the detective alleged. How old was your father?” she ventured.

“Fifty-seven. As far as I am aware, no heart problems. But how am I to know? We were not close. We rarely spoke, let alone exchanged private information regarding health or other sensitive topics.”

She looked up and met his gaze. Damon was watching her rather intensely. “To be clear, you wish Doctor Buchanan to assist in the autopsy. Is the mortuary doctor at St. Thomas’s aware of this?”

“Yes. And yes.”

“Is your carriage outside?”

“Yes.”

Damon looked weary; no wonder with no sleep. Blast it all for feeling concerned about his welfare and state of mind. Besides all the other conflicting emotions he brought forth, he also awakened the protective instinct within her.

“Doctor Buchanan is at my uncle’s precinct this morning. I will write a note, and your driver can take it to him. What time do you wish him to be there?”

“Two o’clock. Sorry for the short notice. My father’s physician, Doctor William Breaks, will also be there. I want a complete report. And I want Buchanan to thoroughly question Breaks as to the state of my father’s health.”

Althea continued to write her note. Without looking up, she said, “It has been my experience that many doctors do not reveal their patient’s personal health details unless compelled to do so.”

“Then write in your note if he doesn’t give details to Buchanan that he will deal with my team of solicitors,” Damon snapped. “That should compel him.”

Althea met his gaze, an eyebrow arching at his irritable tone.

Damon rubbed his forehead. “I apologize.”

“Damon,” she said softly. His penetrating gaze grew heated at her saying his name. “No apology is necessary. You said in your note that your being here concerns life and death. Is there something else beyond your father’s death you wish to hire the agency for?”

“Yes. It is rather complicated and does concern my late father.”

“Then we will deal with your father’s death first. You’re exhausted. Go home and sleep for a few hours. As soon as I have any information, I will come to you. Will you be at 10 Clarendon Place?”

He rubbed his temple. “Yes, perhaps that is wise. And I will be at the Brookton town house.”

“After your driver drops you home, he can deliver the note to Doctor Buchanan, and I will take it from there. If you haven’t guessed, I will take your case.”

“Thank you. I will try to catch some sleep and await your arrival.” He stood and turned to leave, but halted. “I thank you for your compassion.”

He was gone, and Althea sat back in her chair. Never had she seen him so vulnerable. It touched her deeply. She made a vow then and there. To be more sympathetic in her dealings with him. To not allow him to infuriate her or, worse—arouse more than her exasperation.

For she was correct, Damon Cranston, the new Duke of Chellenham, was a danger to her heart.

Chapter 3

As far as dreams were concerned, Damon did not experience them that often. Or if he had, once awake, he could not recall them. When he had them, however, they were vivid.

Like this one. It was in living color, etched in Damon’s mind for all eternity.

Of course, it involved his wretched father. Why wouldn’t it after the doings of the past twenty-four hours?

In the dream, he was a small boy, going from room to room at Chellenham Park to locate his father. While growing up, his father only beat him once. So physical abuse was not at the core of their contentious relationship. It was the neglect. The lack of affection. And if he deemed to give Damon any attention at all, the duke showed disdain.