The Duke Meets His Match (The Infamous Somertons #3)(57)

“Emily would love to go outside,” Chloe said. How many times had Emily mentioned hearing the other children playing outside with longing in her voice?

“I will leave strict instructions for her care, and I shall return each day to check on the child. I understand there might be a conflict with the orphanage physician, but I’m confident if my treatment is followed, Emily will see the benefits.”

Chloe wanted to kiss the man’s shoes. “If funds are an issue, I will personally contribute what I can.”

“There’s no need. His Grace has more than generously paid for my services in advance.”

Even though the thought had crossed her mind, she wanted confirmation. “His Grace? You mean the Duke of Cameron?”

“He seeks to keep his donations anonymous, but I suspected you already knew the truth after you saw me at his home.”

Michael had visited the child once, only once, and he’d suddenly become Emily’s benefactor. Why? Was it because of her?

“You said donations. Is there more?” she asked.

Dr. Graves smiled. “You are intelligent to catch my choice of wording. The duke has also made a sizeable donation to the orphanage to benefit all the children.”

Chloe’s emotions warred between shock, confusion, and gratitude. She loved Michael with all her heart. He was far from the coldhearted duke she’d initially believed. He was caring and generous. He did nothing to suffer the demons of his past.

Unlike her.

Too quickly, the old bitter feelings of unworthiness rose in her chest. She didn’t deserve to be Michael’s duchess. She knew why he’d changed his mind about marriage. He thought he was a danger to her because of his condition, not because of her past, but it didn’t stop her old feelings of shamefulness from arising. She dropped her lashes quickly to hide the hurt from the doctor.

Dr. Graves turned to glance inside the room. “I’m afraid Emily is fast asleep. The medicine makes her drowsy.”

“Thank you,” Chloe said. “I shall sit with her until she wakes.”

Dr. Graves handed her a paper. “If you ensure that the staff follows these instructions, I believe the child will improve. I shall return tomorrow.” The doctor hurried down the hall, leaving Chloe alone with her thoughts.

…

Michael woke late with a pounding headache and wanted nothing more than to barricade himself in his study for the remainder of the day. But first, he knew he needed to check on Henry. He hadn’t seen the young man since the debacle at Lady Huntingdon’s gathering. He should ensure, at the very least, that Henry had not succumbed to the same urge and drunk himself into a stupor last night.

Michael opened his bedchamber door and surprised his staff when he summoned his valet. He bathed, shaved, and changed, and was on his second cup of coffee in the dining room when Hodges stepped inside.

“Lord Sefton is here to see you, Your Grace.”

Michael was surprised. He wouldn’t have to run around town inquiring about Henry’s whereabouts after all. “Send him in.”

Henry’s eyes were bloodshot and his fair hair messed as if he’d run his fingers through it repeatedly. His normally neat attire was rumpled and his cravat loosely tied.

“Did you spend the entire evening drinking whisky at White’s?” Michael asked.

Henry grimaced. “No, I spent the entire evening at home drinking whisky.”

Michael motioned to a chair. “Sit. There’s coffee.”

He poured Henry a steaming cup, and Henry sipped it gratefully.

“Henry, I apologize for everything. I should have told you about Chloe. You know that I owe your father a debt I can never fully repay,” Michael said.

Henry held up a hand. “I owe you an apology as well. I should never have used my father’s letter as I did yesterday. As for a debt, there is none, Your Grace. My father thought highly of you and considered you a great commander and friend. He chose to save you that day at Waterloo. I suspect, were he given a choice, he would do the same again.”

Michael’s vow weighed upon him and his gut tightened. “I swore to look after—”

“Let me finish,” Henry said, lowering his cup. “I’ve thought a lot about everything that occurred after last night. You have given me more than I can ever repay. You were there for me when my father didn’t return from war. You taught me how to properly handle my new responsibilities that accompanied the title. I would have made a mess of the complicated estate ledgers and the numerous properties without your guidance.”

“It’s the least I could do. I have a head for figures and occasionally aided my father with the ledgers, and I had experience ordering supplies for my men in the army.”

“Nonetheless, I would have disappointed all the servants and tenants who depend on me now. You have been more patient than my own father would have been.”

“It was an honor. You need not thank me,” Michael answered him thickly.

Henry looked at him for a long moment, pale blue eyes measuring him until Michael felt uncomfortable. “I’ve known that you’ve suffered from the war. My father may have failed to return, but you weren’t unscathed. I’ve never brought it up, but still, I knew of it. There have been times I’ve stopped by and your butler informed me that you weren’t receiving because you were…unwell.”