“I’ve volunteered to go to the hospital with him, since Nicholas can’t leave his bride.”

“But what good will that do? They’ll pronounce him dead as soon as he arrives.”

“If he arrives,” Darcy said. “I’m also going to be driving and unfortunately the car is going to go off the road into a snowdrift somewhere up on the pass. By the time I’ve gone for help poor Field Marshal Pirin will have died, so there will be no point in summoning the personal physician. And the news of the tragic death won’t reach the castle until after the wedding.”

“So you’re not going to be here for the wedding either?” The disappointment in my face must have shown.

“I have to do this, my love,” he said. He raised his hand to my cheek. “I’m the only one who can do it, but I want you to help Nick and Anton in any way you can.”

“Of course,” I said. “Take care of yourself.”

“You too.” He leaned forward and kissed my forehead, then he went down the stairs without looking back.

Chapter 22

Chapter 22

Still in Bran Castle

I returned to the salon.

“That was quick for a tryst,” Matty said.

“He just had a message to give me,” I said. “Your future father-in-law wants the field marshal to be taken to a hospital immediately and Darcy has volunteered to accompany him.”

“Thank God he’s going,” Matty said. “Now we can return to enjoying ourselves.”

I excused myself soon after, having decided not to ask one of the seamstresses to save my scorched dress. The way those sewing machines were clattering away indicated that they were busy enough already. Maybe when all the dresses were finished, I’d try again. I came into the hallway in time to run into Lady Middlesex and Miss Deer-Harte. “I don’t know how you two managed to go for a walk in that snow,” Lady Middlesex said accusingly. “We only ventured a few yards before Deer-Harte sank up to her middle. Had a dashed difficult time getting her out.”

“I’m sorry,” I said. “We walked in the tracks the cars had made.”

“Better get you up to your room, Deer-Harte, before you catch your death of cold,” Lady Middlesex said. “Saw them loading the field marshal’s body into one of the hearses, by the way. And Mr. O’Mara went off with him. I hope they’re taking him to a place where a proper autopsy can be performed.”

I put my finger up to my lips. “Remember we’re not supposed to be talking about this,” I said. “Field Marshal Pirin has gone to hospital.”

“Oh, yes. Right. Of course.” She grinned like a naughty child. “Not that it matters. I’m sure none of the servants understand a word of what we’re saying.”