AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Westfall tensed. “She heals as we speak. I swear she will want for nothing, and if society thinks to cut her when she is older they will bleed, Edmond. She has suffered enough.” Rage and icy ruthlessness throbbed in his voice.
Edmond understood. Westfall’s daughter was a bastard, and he had discovered her existence just before it had almost been too late. His father, the Duke of Salop, had refused to speak with his own son, for doing the unimaginable—acknowledging his bastard so that all of society knew of her existence.
“And her mother?”
“That damnable bitch abandoned her to a baby farm in Willesden Green and pretended Emily did not exist. Do you think now that she is a countess, she would risk her reputation to visit my dwelling to see the child or even acknowledge her?”
No, Edmond supposed not.
“My duchess told me you had formed an attachment.”
A tic jerked in Westfall’s cheek, and his golden eyes went blank. “It is you we are talking about Edmond, not my affairs.”
Edmond grunted. “I saw the way you watched Lady Evelyn at the last soiree I attended with my duchess. If the ton had observed the hunger I saw, they would have called for a wedding, surely believing you had already debauched the girl. Yet the attachment you have formed is with Lady Honoria. Please explain yourself.”
The marquess downed his drink in one swallow. “Go grovel to your duchess and take your nose out of my business, Wolverton.” Westfall slammed the glass on the mantle and stalked from the room.
Edmond sighed. Westfall would speak when he was ready, but Edmond hoped he did nothing foolish when his heart, or his damn lust, was so clearly engaged with another. But the man was right, Edmond had to travel to Rosette Park and visit his duchess. But what would he say? He couldn’t bear to be from her? Her death, whether he was with her for several months or seventy years, would shatter him when it arrived, but he needed to spend every last moment with her. Hell. He had no notion where to start, but he had to see her.
Edmond launched from the chair and strode from the room, tersely ordering his valet to pack a saddlebag and his groom to ready a horse.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Almost twelve hours later, Edmond arrived at Rosette Park. He had no notion of what he would say to his duchess, only knew he could not stay away from her or his daughters any longer. He swept from his horse, and handed the reins to the footman. The quietness of the estate unsettled him. The last letter he had received from his girls the day before had indicated all was well. He strode up to the front door, and Mr. Jenkins held it open, his face a smooth mask, but Edmond swore he could see an accusation dwelling in his butler’s eyes.
Edmond strode through the entrance hall and grounded to a halt.
A maid bustled down the corridor. “Mr. Jenkins, the remainder of her ladyship’s and the girls’ trunks have been readied to send down…”
The maid’s words trailed off when she spotted him, and it was then Edmond realized that the two footmen had frozen with trunks in their hands, and the butler stood stiff, eyes staring straight ahead as he’d been trained to do. Edmond’s gaze remained on several trunks, which were already standing in the hall. Their import slammed into his gut like an iron fist. His duchess had left him.
Footsteps sounded behind him, then the housekeeper appeared with a letter.
“Her ladyship left this for you, Your Grace,” Mrs. Fields said.
“Thank you.” Edmond took it and with clipped strides walked away to his study. He entered and strolled over to the window, almost afraid to open the letter. He realized what an arrogant idiot he had been, thinking he would simply ride to Rosette Park and Adeline would be waiting for him. Unable to wait any longer, he unfolded the paper.
Dear Edmond,
I have retired to the Somerset Estates. It grows unbearable to live at Rosette Park with the memories of us, and I’ve finally conceded to the estrangement you desire. It has been weeks since we’ve last spoken, and I’ve come to realize you will not look beyond the past to the future with me. I cannot say I regret accidentally compromising you, for you have given me a great gift and I will treasure our child. The girls and Lady Harriet insisted on traveling with me, however I expect you will send word when you wish for their return. My father’s estate is only a few miles away, and I will find comfort there when I need. I only ask that you allow the girls to visit me as much as they desire, and when our child is born, you will meet him or her.
Adeline
Edmond hated the weak feeling that overcame him. She did not believe she could get comfort from him, and why should she, when he had been so foolish? She mentioned nothing of loving him, in fact her words seemed so final, his soul ached. He knew then that words would be inadequate. He loved her, and he needed to show her he was more than ready to be a family and do away with fear, that had held him for far too long. Dropping the letter on the desk, he stormed from his study calling for the housekeeper and his butler.
“Your Grace?” Mrs. Fields said, hurrying toward him, with Mr. Jenkins right on her heels.
“Send word to the village. I want carpenters, painters, and all the necessary workers here to build a nursery. Hire as many as possible, for I want it done in less than a week.”
Delight crossed Mrs. Fields face, and what appeared to be approval glowed in his butler’s eyes.
“And which room shall be converted?”
“The chambers beside the duchess’s chambers.”
With quick bows and curtsies, his servants departed. Edmond scrubbed a hand over his face. He would build their child a nursery, and then travel to Somerset and plead his case, and pray he had not completely killed her love for him.
…
