A Duke's Fascination (Unedited Version)

Chapter 22

Two days had passed since Alexander was wounded. He succumed to a fever and suffered the first night. It had been toture for Arabella to see him like that. He had tossed and turned, crying out for mercy. Arabella and the Duchess had taken turns wiping him down with cool cloths. Trying everything to bring his fever down. They were both exhausted. It finally broke by mid afternoon and he had been resting peacefully since. The Duchess had insisted Arabella go to her room and rest until supper, she didn't argue.

Arabella headed to her room, but not to rest. She had not left Alexanders side since the doctor had gone. Her grandparents had tried to get her to go and rest, offering to sit with him, but Arabella refused. He was in this condition because of her, the least she could do was take care of him. Besides, she loved him and she wasn't going to lose him now. So she had stayed. Unfortunately she hadn't been able to spend much time getting to know the Count and Contess. So she stopped by her room to pick up a couple of things, then would head towards the sitting room to speak with them.

As she reached her door she noticed it was ajar. "Thats odd," she thought. She could have sworn she closed it this morning before returning to Alexanders room. She pushed it open but didn't see anyone about. "Perhaps it was one of the maids," she mused. So she went inside to retrieve the items she came for. She unlocked the drawer to the secretary, and everything went black.

The man had searched everywhere. However, just as he was about to pick the lock on the secretary, he heard a noise outside the door. He quikly ducked behind the curtains. It was Arabella. He smiled to himself, as he watched her unlock the secretary. Her timing was impeccable, he mused. He couldn't allow her to show the rattle to the Count and Countess. All the proof of who she truly was would be revealed. That damn maid was supposed to have taken it and given to him, but she double crossed him instead. Before he realized it was with the babe, she had disappeared. Now that her grandparents had found her, getting the rattle was his only chance of keeping what was rightfully his. The rattle was the only concrete evidence they had to prove Arabella was the Dubious heiress. He grabbed the candlestick by the bed, and quitely snuck up behind her. He caught her before she fell and carried her to the bed. If anyone came in they would think she was simply sleeping, giving him time to get away. He then took the rattle, and left the same way he came in, through the front door.

Marcus followed Dubious as he left the estate. He looked entirely too happy, considering the Duke would survive and Arabella was now in the bosum of her family. Plus this was the second time he left today. He hadn't followed him earlier as Dubious normally rode each morning. This time, however was different, Dubious had been gone longer than usual. When he came back to the estate, instead of acting the proper gentleman he had acted hostile and malicious towards the stable boy. The stable master, George said Dubious had even hit the boy with his riding crop. Which George said was very out of character for the man, "he was always a pleasant sort," he stated. So Marcus decided to see where he was going this time. Something was definitely amiss and he was going to get to the bottom of it.

They traveled for about three miles when Dubious veered off onto a narrow road. It would be too hard to follow without catching Dubious' notice, so Marcus hung back. He decided to ride around through the wooded area. Hopefully he would catch up to the man. As he came around to the road he spied a cabin at the end. Dubious horse was tied to a tree outside. He heard voices arguing inside, it almost sounded as if Dubious was arguing with himself. "Was the man that deranged," he thought. He tried to get closer but it was daylight still and he didn't want his presence noted. Deciding there was nothing he could do until he conferred with the Duke, he turned to his horse and headed back to Asterley Park. It seemed to Marcus there was more to this than they originally assumed.

Arabella awoke with a terrible headache. She tried to sit up and a wave of nasua assailed her. As she laid back down she nearly vomited from the pain that shot through her head. What was wrong with her, she didn't even remember lying down. Then it hit her, she had come into the room and was unlocking the secretary when everything went black. Someone had struck her from behind. She raised her hand to her head and touched the tender spot. She winced at the pain. Her hand was covered in blood. "Had the person intended to kill her?" If so why would they bother putting her to bed, she thought." She tried to get up again, this time she was able to stand. Holding onto the bed post she took several breaths before staggering to the door. A maid was walking by as she opened the door, she took one look at the blood on Arabella , screamed and fainted. Withen minutes the entire household was rushing towards her. Arabellas world went black once more. When she awoke again, she was staring into Alexanders beautiful grey eyes.

"Welcome back," he said.

"How long have I been out" she asked?

"Since yesterday afternoon, he replied." Mother had you moved in here so she could look after the both of us. She said it would be safer and more convienant. I have to say I agree with her, however I wasn't just thinking about the convenience part. I rather like having you to look at first thing in the morning. Alexander grinned as Arabella blushed.

"How do you feel, Do you remember anything that happened?"

"I feel ghastly," and I only remember that someone struck me from behind. The maid that fainted, is she going to be alright?"

"Yes, Molly is fine." You gave her quite a fright I'm afraid. She's a little squeamish when it comes to blood. "Would you like something for the pain? The doctor left some laudenum for you."

"No, I feel much better now, thank you." How are you? You gave us quite a fright as well.

"I'm mending." The doctor says it wasn't as bad as it looked, a flesh wound at most. He was more concerned with me getting an infection. Which mother tells me was the case. I should be up and about by tomorrow. The secretary was open and the key was in your hand. "Was there something important in there? It was empty save for a letter?"

Arabella shot up from the bed, which she regretted right away. she promtly laid back down. "All that was in there was a letter from my mother, a strange poem and a golden rattle, she replied. They are setimental objects to me only. Why on earth would someone want to steal them?"

At that moment the Countess stood up. "I may be able to answer that, she said."