“Your Grace, you mistake me” Dubois said, bowing low to Dorian. “I do not want anything from you--except, of course, to congratulate you on your recent nuptials. When I read about it in the paper, I must admit, I was shocked--but not so shocked, when I remembered how you had defended the girl to me.”
“I am not interested in having any kind of conversation with you,” Dorian said, his voice so commanding and final that Leah was impressed, despite herself. “Nor do I want your congratulations.”
Lord Dubois’s smile widened, and his eyes flickered to Leah. She felt the hairs on the back of her neck stand up. The look in the man’s eyes was so spiteful and filled with hatred--despite the smile on his lips.
“Well, perhaps the Duchess will allow me to congratulate her ,” he said, bowing to her now. “I am sure she made a very beautiful bride--as she is beautiful in everything she does.”
“That is enough,” Dorian snarled, and he shouldered Lord Dubois out of the way and pulled Leah after him. The viscount let out a grunt of surprise, but neither Dorian nor Leah stopped to see if he was alright. Leah allowed her husband to hurry her away, out into the hall, and then his hand found hers, and the two of them were walking swiftly away from Lord Dubois.
Leah tried to convince herself that she was walking away and not running.
Chapter Eighteen
“You are packing up the house? Already?” Leah stood in the hall the next morning, watching as the butler directed the staff, who were carrying boxes of supplies out to several coaches that waited in the drive. She couldn’t quite believe what she was seeing. They had been back in London for just a few days, and now, already--they were leaving.
“Yes, Your Grace,” the butler said, bowing his head.
“But… We just got here!” Leah cried, incredulous, as she stared at the man. “How can we be leaving already?”
The butler eyed her nervously. “I am just following the instructions I was given, Your Grace. If you have any questions, I suggest that you take it up with the Duke.”
“Oh, I will certainly be taking this up with the Duke,” Leah said, putting her hands on her hips. “My family is here in London, andI am not going to return to the country to be bored out of my mind again.”
The butler gave her another nervous look, and Leah immediately regretted her words. The butler was just doing his job. It was unladylike--and certainly not befitting of a duchess--to make him feel bad about carrying out his duties.
Another way in which I fail to be a proper duchess, she thought, her heart clenching.
“I shall speak with His Grace,” she amended. “Thank you, I know you are doing an excellent job.”
“Thank you, Your Grace,” the butler said, bowing low.
But whatever fury Leah had felt about the idea of returning to the country began to dissipate with every step she took toward the door of Dorian’s study, where she knew he had been holed up all morning. With every step she took, doubt began to creep into her mind.
It’s my fault. It’s because of the faux pas that I made last night. He saw them and was embarrassed by me. Why wouldn’t he be?Iwas embarrassed by me!
By the time she reached the door of her husband’s study, she was trembling. She had always known that she would never fit in with Society, and she had certainly known she would fail to bethe proper, perfect duchess. But hearing it from Dorian’s mouth would be even more humiliating.
But no, she was being delusional. Dorian wouldn’t leave London simply because she hadn’t lived up to her title on the first try… would he?
With mounting trepidation, she stopped in front of his study door and knocked three times.
“Enter,” he called out, and his voice, deep and resonant, sent a shiver up her spine. She pushed open the door and walked into the study.
Dorian looked up at her, his expression careful and reserved.
“Yes?” he asked. “What is it?”
Leah swallowed as she moved into the room and closed the door behind her. There was something wary in her husband’s expression that made her nervous--as if he were anticipating her question.
“Why are the servants packing up the house?” she asked. “Are we returning to the countryside?”
Dorian blinked slowly. At last, she shook his head. “No,” he said, “We are not returning to the countryside.”
Relief flooded Leah at once. “Oh thank goodness! I really thought that we were when I saw--”
“Youare returning to the countryside,” Dorian finished, and Leah felt as if someone had just pulled out the rug from underneath her. She stared at him, her eyes wide.
“I beg your pardon?” she murmured.
