Chapter 5

A message was on its way to Ellings and another to his family. Leopold's siblings would not question his absence and would accept any excuse he offered. As for Ellings and Tessa, they would hold their confidentiality so he and Bethany may survive this situation unscathed, or at least her reputation untarnished.

Only one obstacle remained. "Is there a shop in this hamlet?"

The question was directed to the only servant who remained, Henry.

"I will see, Your Grace." Henry started to open the door. "What needs to be purchased, Your Grace?"

Leopold stared at him because the lack of clothing should be obvious.

"Oh, yes. I will return straight away."

"Take this." Bethany pressed a purse into Henry's hand.

Leopold hated that she had to purchase his clothing but a servant walking into a shop where he was not known, nor dressed in proper livery, and requesting credit on behalf of the Duke of Claybrook would not likely purchase a handkerchief let alone a complete set of clothing and boots.

"I will pay you back. I promise."

"I know you will." Her blue eyes lit with humor. "I may even charge interest."

Which he would gladly pay, given she had not only saved him, but continued to take care of him when she could have left Leopold alone in the inn and traveled on to Faversham.

Henry returned not even an hour later with the clothing he had purchased. Bethany removed herself as Leopold tried to find something that would fit him so that he could move about without exposing his nakedness. Everything was too small.

"Are you certain they had nothing larger? There must be someone who lives here that is larger than me."

"This is all I could find in the shop."

"Is there no tailor?" Leopold asked.

"Only a bakery and blacksmith."

"There is nothing else?" He looked over the clothing.

"You have not tried the nightshirt, Your Grace."

Leopold hadn't slept in a nightshirt since he was a lad and did not want to do so now. Except, he was also sharing a chamber with Bethany. "Give it here."

Henry handed him the nightshirt and Leopold pulled it over his head, then attempted to shove his arms in the sleeves. It fit, but he could not move because the shoulders were too narrow for him. "Bloody hell!" He turned one way and then the other, hoping to stretch the material only to have it rip. Frustrated, he tore it over his head, damaging it even further. It was impossible that he was the largest man in this hamlet.

"What about others staying at the inn or enjoying a meal before they continue their journey? Someone must have something," Leopold barked.

"I will go see, Your Grace," Henry promised before he quickly left the room.

Leopold sat on the bed and pulled the coverlet over his lap. At the light tap on the door, he called, knowing that it would be Bethany. She'd already seen his body so his chest and lower legs should not be too disturbing.

"Nothing fits," he ground out.

"So I have been told." She actually smirked.

"That leaves me stuck here, in this bed and hiding under a blanket."

"As you are supposed to remain in bed, I see no difficulty."

Leopold glowered at her. Though in truth, he had moved about more today than he had since before he was attacked. His head pounded, there had been moments of dizziness, and his body still ached as if he'd been pummeled. Not that he would admit as such to Bethany. He'd already humiliated himself in front of her.

"I am certain Henry will find something for you to wear," she offered.

He was not in the mood to be coddled, but he shouldn't take his poor mood out on her. And he hated that he was tired—exhausted when he'd done nothing but try on clothing.

"You are in pain," she stated.

Leopold said nothing.

"You were injured two days ago. The bruises on your body are still purple. You are foolish to be up and about and moving."

"I am not foolish," he ground out.

"No, you are used to matters progressing as you wish and command."

"I am."

"Well, do not be a fool and get some rest."

He hated that she was right. He hated that he was weak, tired, and hurt.

"Into bed with you." Bethany came forward and gently pushed him on the shoulder until Leopold once again lay back against the pillows.

It was on the tip of his tongue to tell her that he'd be much more comfortable and that he would promise to remain in bed if she joined him. At one time, he may have but he did not want to risk her walking out and not coming back. Besides, in his current state, he was too tired and pained to pursue what he'd once fantasized about sharing with Bethany.

Without looking, she then drew the covers over his body.

When he next woke, it was dark outside and a candle burned on a table near where Bethany stood in conversation with Henry.

"Clothing?" Leopold asked.

"I am sorry, Your Grace, but I could find nothing."

"I do not care what the material or fashion. I simply want something on my body."

"There is no one I could find."

If he could get out of this bed, Leopold was certain he could locate something to wear. "My townhouse in London. Go there and tell the butler my needs."

"London?" Bethany asked.

"As I cannot very well travel in a blanket and apparently only men of smaller stature reside in or visit this hamlet, I have little choice," he barked, which Leopold immediately regretted as it pained his head, and he hoped the headache didn't return.

Bethany stiffened and stepped back at his tone.

"I will leave right away, Your Grace," Henry offered.

"You will not," Bethany countered.

"Why is that?" Leopold demanded.

"It is nearly eleven at night. I will not have Henry waylaid on the road as you were. He can leave first thing in the morning."

Bethany wasn't really surprised that Claybrook was becoming difficult, nor could she blame him. She would not be happy in his situation either.

Claybrook had asked her to leave. If Bethany truly did not fear for his well-being, she would have. He clearly did not want her here.

As the sun was rising, there was a light tap on the door. Bethany opened it to find Henry.

"I am ready to depart."

"Thank you and I hope you have a quick and safe return."

She then closed the door and leaned back against it.

She was exhausted and returned to the settee in hopes of getting more sleep before Claybrook woke.

Bethany wasn't certain how long she slept, but a noise brought her from slumber, and she opened her eyes to a room lit with filtered sunlight and Claybrook standing, holding onto the foot of the bed and pinching the bridge of his nose, his face stiff in what she assumed was pain. A blanket fell about him. He may have attempted to use it to cover his nakedness, but right now it hid nothing.

She was also torn. Did she offer help or pretend to sleep. She'd heard him grumble enough about assistance. Though she shouldn't, Bethany took in his form again and when she looked up to his face, she realized he had been watching her. Bethany's face heated. Oh, she should have pretended to be asleep. Instead, he had caught her staring at his body.

"Is all well?"

"I am fine now." He climbed into the bed and then under the covers.

Claybrook may be boorish, but his form was quite delightful to view. This was the first time that she'd seen him from the side, his firm buttocks and muscular thighs before he pulled the coverlet over him.

"What was wrong?" she quietly asked.

"Blasted dizziness after I used the chamber pot."

Henry or Jason used to assist him, but they were both gone.

"Wake me next time."

"I am not going to ask you to help me use the chamber pot," he ground out. "This is humiliating enough."

Bethany sat up. "What is humiliating?"

"This weakness, dizziness, blasted pain…needing help."

"You were attacked and are lucky to be alive," she chastised.

Claybrook blew out a heavy breath. "You are correct, but at least allow me to be frustrated with the situation."

"That is allowed," she returned. "Is there anything that I can get you?"

"No. I fear only sleep will cure what ails me."