“Well, I’ve returned to England a few months past to find my cousin’s wife suffering from a mysterious ailment. She has seen several doctors, all to no avail.”

“Oh, dear.” The duchess shook her head. “How dreadful. To lose her sons and then be afflicted so.”

“She has had to endure much,” he agreed. “I hate to see the duchess in such anguish.”

“Duchess?” Warrington queried.

Of course it would come out. It’s who he was now. He didn’t revel in announcing his new rank, but he supposed it was unavoidable. “My father’s cousin is the Duke of Birchwood.”

“Oh, my.” The Duchess of Warrington’s eyes went round. “Then you are . . .”

“The heir to the Duke of Birchwood,” Warrington finished.

“Save me from another blasted duke,” Nora Langley muttered, almost too quiet for him to hear, but he was standing the closest to her. He heard her perfectly.

“Yes,” he allowed. “I am all they have left. And I want to help the duchess. I need to help . . .” He stopped. “I cannot abide to see her suffering. I had thought to fetch Dr. Langley. I can see now I should have sent word first.” God knew what kind of reply he would have gotten? The truth? Finally? No. She would have put him off with more lies. “I am sorry to have imposed.” He moved toward the door, eager to take his leave. “I won’t take up any more of your time.” Or mine. He turned to go.

“What are her symptoms?” the young Miss Langley asked abruptly.

He stopped and looked back at her. “I beg your pardon?”

“You mentioned this woman is suffering? In what manner?”

He looked from her to the duke and duchess. They did not seem surprised at Miss Langley’s question. “I don’t want to take up any more of your valuable time . . .” Or further waste his own.

“You came here for help.” She looked up at him with wide guileless eyes. “Permit me to help you then.”

“Nora is quite the healer, Mr. Sinclair. You’ve come all this way. You might as well sit with her for a spell before turning around and going home again. There is nothing Nora enjoys more than drowning herself in a mystery diagnosis. She is quite clever.” The Duchess of Warrington motioned at Nora with a gentle smile. “Perhaps you two should take a stroll and discuss it.”

He did not have time for this. “Oh, I really should get back—”

Warrington strode across the drawing room and opened a door leading out into the gardens. He motioned for Constantine and the young Miss Langley to venture outside.