Free The Sanctuary (A Spencer Novel) by Sandra Lea Rice Page B

forward, nearly tripping over each other in their haste to do her bidding.
    One of Anthony’s younger maids bobbed a curtsy. “Sally asked me to fetch this until such time as she gets her shoppin’ done.” She laid a white cotton nightgown over the foot of the bed and sent an uncertain glance at Mrs. Dobbins before she fled the room behind the two retreating footmen.
    Anthony eyed the nurse as she patted Clairece’s hand.
    “My poor little dear. Doctor Farris said you needed me so I came right on over. Now don’t you fret ‘bout a thing. Dobby will take good care of you.” She turned and acknowledged Anthony’s presence with a short bob. “Lord Harding?”
    He barely had time to nod before ‘Dobby’ continued. “No need to worry about your lady. Run along and do whatever men do and I’ll make her nice and comfortable.” The nurse waved him away with a flick of her wrist.
    And, without so much as a by-your-leave , Anthony found himself summarily dismissed from his own bedchamber.
    After dinner, Anthony, James, and Phillip moved to the library to relax before a fire. Crystal decanters filled with a selection of various libations covered the top of a small tantalus.
    “Do you think the nurse will let us see her?” Phillip asked somewhat doubtfully. “It’s getting late and we’ve been waiting for some time.”
    “If it’s much longer, I’ll send a maid to inquire.” Anthony, sprawled in a large chair, sipped his port.
    A noise at the door drew their attention. Hodges—his usual stoic expression giving way to red splotches—huffed, “My lord, Mrs. Dobbins has finally deemed it acceptable for you to see Mrs. Griffin.”
    “ Uh, thank you, Hodges.” Anthony turned to find both James and Phillip staring after the butler’s retreating back. “Shall we go, gentlemen?”
    Clairece sat propped up in bed with several large pillows behind her back. She offered an encouraging, if somewhat sleepy, smile as they ambled in. Her plaited hair hung over one shoulder in a long, silken rope.
    Mrs. Dobbins sat ramrod straight in a chair near the fire, one eye on Clairece and the other on her patient’s visitors.
    Although Anthony crossed to the window to allow James and Phillip time with Clairece, his attention remained fixed on the woman lying in his bed.
    “How are you feeling, Ree?” James kissed her temple.
    “My head hurts, but otherwise I’m well. Apparently, I’m not allowed out of bed for a couple of days which I find vexing. But Dobby is taking excellent care of me.”
    All three men turned toward Mrs. Dobbins to find her beaming back at Clairece.
    After a sparse few minutes, the nurse rose from the chair. “Not too long tonight, my good lads. Best you run along so she can get her rest. You can come ‘round tomorrow.”
    Both Phillip and James gaped at Mrs. Dobbins while Anthony, clasping his hands behind him, watched their reflections in the darkened window. He peered over his shoulder to find Phillip and James had edged their way toward the door, an identical look of astonishment on their faces.
    Mrs. Dobbins lifted a brow at Anthony.
    “I’ll see you out.” Anthony hastily skirted the foot of the bed, exiting the room.
    “Good Lord, Tony. I’d be off to Bedlam within a day,” James mumbled.
    “She reminds me of my old nurse. Hadn’t thought to feel the hair rise on the back of my neck in such a way again,” Phillip added.
    In the entry hall, a waiting footman handed James and Phillip their coats and hats.
    “What are your plans, Tony?” James asked, drawing on his gloves.
    “Tomorrow, I’ll stop at Scotland Yard to see if anything untoward has happened in the last few days. I also want a bit of time to speak privately with Clairece. Perhaps she can think of something we’ve missed.”
    “It’s Clairece now, is it?” Phillip scowled as he buttoned his coat.
    “If you have something to say, say it,” Anthony gritted out. “If you’re going to accuse me of something, do so, and be