Free The Danger of Dukes by Phynix de Leon Page A

front steps. Before hitting the final step I twisted wrong and my temple struck stone with a sharp crack!
                  Gibbs was screaming for something as he ran after me down the steps and fell to his knees beside me. I had the satisfying feeling settle in my stomach as I saw the duke fly out the door and stare down at me in horror, frozen in place.
 

Broken
     
     
     
    My eyes cracked open to the bright sun shining through the bed curtains in an unfamiliar large round bed. I turned onto my side and groaned as my neck screamed from pain.
                  “Stiff neck?” inquired a light pretty voice from nearby.
                  I turned toward the voice slowly and spotted a pretty young girl who appeared around fifteen.
                  “Yes, it is rather sore. I believe this happens however after a fall, I am sure I would know myself from how many times it happens in training,” I said with a slight smile.
                  “Training,” the girl echoed, but trailed off as there was a knock at the door. She looked faintly surprised. “That must be my brother again. I am truly surprised that he brought you here but not that he was worried over this.”
                  “Why would he be worried over a tumble down the stairs?” I asked quietly when she had a finger to her lips.
                  She went over to the door and poked her head outside to whisper something, and then closed the door to come sit back in her chair beside the bed.
                  “My other older brother died just a few months ago. He died when he fell off his horse and broke his neck. Big Brother is sensitive about the matter on the whole. I told him that you were still asleep so you better get some more rest, it might be all you will get for a while. The Season is starting up and brother’s ball will be the opening ball of the Season. It will be the ball of your engagement to him.” She beamed a pretty smile from her rosy lips. “I am ever so excited to have a sister! I was never allowed to play with the boys growing up; Mama feared they would be to rough. Or teach me some ‘unladylike’ habits.”
                  I grinned at that. “I am sure I could teach you things that would drive your mother up the wall that your brothers never could.”
                  The pretty blonde giggled. “I would like that very much. Brother is always busy and running around town, we will have much time together.”
                  Brows drawn in confusion I asked, “What does he do in town?”
                  “Why race horses of course. It’s all the rage in Newmarket, and brother raises and races the horses, or at least he did until our other brother did something stupid. But never mind that, I heard you brought a horse with you.” Excitement lit her eyes.
                  “His name is Grand Champion and that he is, for he has never lost a race. He was my horse and I used to race him until about a year ago. I’ll show him to you if you like, but for now I think I better rest up.”
    …
     
    Resting up took a total of three days which at that time I came down stairs for breakfast early I ran right into Lord Grayson. Still a bit unsteady on my feet I swayed into him and he reached out to hold me in place. I smiled up at him in thanks.
                  “The world won’t seem to stop spinning, my lord. But no matter I am sure it is just me,” I said with a laugh at my own witty joke.
                  He didn’t smile. “My sister informed me that you didn’t want the doctor to look you over.”
                  It was true; I had turned down the offer twice. I didn’t need to be told again by another doctor halfway across the world that after my fall my body was too weak to carry on the life I once lived. I gave up riding not only because of the fear