Malcolm caught holdof Duncan’s arm as he headed toward the carriage. “So ye still have no intention of telling me why ye barged into my room last night and demanded to stay there?”
“Keep yer voice down.” Duncan jerked his arm free and cast a hurried glance at the vehicle that held both his greatest love and his greatest sorrow. “And no, ’tis none of yer affair. Now, let it be, ye ken?”
“Whatever ye did, apologize and do better.” Malcolm launched himself up into the saddle. “Make it right, Duncan. Yer wife spoke naught more than a word or two over breakfast. The two of ye behave as though ye’re in mourning.”
Theywerein mourning. The precious bond between them had died. Duncan barely shook his head. Nay, it had not died. He had killed it.
Without a word to his brother, he climbed into the carriage and settled into the seat beside his beloved wife. Mother and Serendipity sat across from them, both of them looking as if they wished they were somewhere else. He wished he were somewhere else, too.
With an encouraging word from Angus and a rattling of the team’s harnesses, the journey back to London began with a gentle lurch that bumped Merry’s shoulder against Duncan’s. His heart clenched when she subtly scooted away, drawing closer to her side of the carriage. She hated him so much that shedidn’t even wish to touch him.
“Merry?” Serendipity nervously straightened the seams of her gloves along her fingers. “Are you quite all right? You’ve hardly spoken at all this morning.”
Without taking her gaze from the window, Merry jutted her chin a bit higher. “I am quite well, Seri. Do stop asking if I am all right.”
Serendipity and Duncan’s mother exchanged worried glances.
“I believe ye will like Kirkston Place, daughter,” the dowager said to Merry, her tone hopeful.
“I am sure it will be fine.” Merry folded her arms, hugging her reticule as if it were a favorite doll. She kept her gaze locked on the scenery passing the window.
Duncan’s mother kicked him in the shin and mouthed,What did you do?
He fixed her with a hard glare, then did as his wife and stared out the window.
“What the devil is wrong between the two of ye?” his mother demanded. “Ye married yesterday, and today ye hate one another. What happened? It canna have been all that bad. Ye’ve not been together long enough to warrant a good tussle.”
“We are fine, Mother. Let it go.” He willed her, for once in her long life, to be quiet and stay out of it.
“Merry?” The dowager nudged her daughter-in-law with her toe. “What is wrong? Tell me so I might help ye.”
“As Lord Kirkston said, we are fine.”
Inwardly, Duncan flinched as if she had struck him. If Merry’s tone became any colder, the lot of them would freeze solid.
“Lord Kirkston?” his mother repeated with dismay. She kicked Duncan again. “What the devil did you do?”
“Stop it,” he said in the sharpest tone he had ever used with her. “If ye continue, ye will be put in the carriage with the maids and valets. Am I clear, Mother?”
Her mouth dropped open for a moment, then she snapped it shut. “Quite clear.” With an angry snort, she folded her hands in her lap and turned her attention to the window.
Serendipity stretched and beat on the ceiling with her fist. The carriage immediately rolled to a stop.
“What do you think you are doing?” Duncan asked.
“I refuse to be trapped in this carriage with the two of you for four days. I am switching to the maid’s carriage.” Serendipity gathered up her skirts, shoved the door open, and hopped out. Before stepping away, she turned back and said, “Care to join me, Lady Evelyn?”
“Indeed, I do.” The dowager flounced out of the vehicle and slammed the door shut.
Angus pulled it open and stuck his head inside. “Is there a problem, my lord?”
The poor man had no idea how big a problem there was. “No, Angus. No problem. Once the ladies are settled in the other carriage, please continue on.”
With a puckered, narrow-eyed scowl, Angus nodded and closed the door once again.
As Duncan settled back in the seat, he realized Merry had moved to sit on the other seat across from him. Hellfire and damnation, it was going to be a long trip back to London. “Merry.”
She graced him with an icy look. “Yes, Lord Kirkston?”
