Page 61 of Duke in Darkness

Hobbs leaped to his feet, and the woman rose and clasped her hands behind her, her posture enviably straight.

“Come in,” said Exton, beckoning her over. “Meet…ah, I mean may I present an old friend of mine…Mrs. Taylor. Aggie, this is my duchess. Lilian.”

Lilian smiled as graciously as she could. “Delighted to make your acquaintance.”

Mrs. Taylor shot Exton an uncertain look, then curtsied. “Your Grace.”

“Join us,” said Exton, although his invitation sounded polite rather than enthusiastic. “I’ll have more tea sent in.”

“Very well,” she replied, swallowing her embarrassment, and gliding forward as though back in Kingsford house with a book on her head. After settling herself in a chair next to Exton’s desk, she faced both Hobbs and Mrs. Taylor. “What were you discussing? It sounded most amusing.”

There was a brief pause as they exchanged glances, and Lilian fought against a surge of jealousy. And the urge to snatch the lovely, vibrantly beautiful Mrs. Taylor bald. Never had she felt so bland, so unexciting, than across from this assured older woman whose hair color resembled flames. She and Exton were clearly very close. The way they had smiled at each other, laughed together…and he looked like a different man. Relaxed. Roguish. Even more attractive than she thought possible. Were he and Mrs. Taylor former lovers? Her husband had sworn he didn’t have a mistress. Had he changed his mind? Was he going to travel down the path that her late fiancé had intended—a wife for the creation of heirs, and mistresses for pleasure?

The questions whirled around in her head until she thought it might explode.

“Lilian.”

Oh dear. Gabriel’s tone and expression indicated he had been trying to get her attention for longer than she thought. “I apologize. I didn’t hear the question.”

“Mrs. Taylor asked how you were enjoying…married life.”

“Oh,” she replied, forcing a smile. “It is most adequate, thank you. Exton is a generous husband, I was away earlier being fitted for a new wardrobe.”

And I hate the thought that he might have taken you the way he took me the night of the Castlereagh ball. Restrained your wrists, made you say wicked words as he pleasured you with his mouth. That he might have stayed in your bed all night with his brawny arms wrapped around you, making you feel safe.

Mrs. Taylor smiled thinly. “Society ladies do need to dress well, I imagine.”

Lilian stiffened. “Duchesses have many responsibilities. I welcome the challenge.”

“Rather you than me, ma’am. I guess I prefer the simple life after so many years following the drum.”

“We couldn’t have managed without your…expert care,” said Exton bestowing yet another warm smile on the redhead.

“Quite,” said Lilian woodenly. “I commend your service to the army, Mrs. Taylor. They were indeed fortunate to have someone who cared so much.”

Hobbs cleared his throat. “The regiment was blessed to have her as a healer. The best around.”

“How lovely,” Lilian replied, as her stomach churned. She shouldn’t have marched in. Shouldn’t have practically forced them to invite her to stay. They wanted to speak of matters she knew nothing about, a past she wasn’t part of.

“Not a word I would use,” said Mrs. Taylor, one eyebrow raised. “Gruesome, perhaps. Heartbreaking. Anger at the waste of human life. But every now and again we could use the word miracle. As in the story of our colonel—beg pardon, His Grace’s—survival against all odds.”

“You saved his life,” said Hobbs, his gaze the softest she’d ever seen it.

“Well, the field surgeons did a splendid job in the circumstances. But I will admit a special determination to not lose such a man—”

“Please do excuse me,” said Lilian abruptly getting to her feet. “I am only intruding on your time to reminisce. Enjoy the rest of your visit, Mrs. Taylor. Good day to you.”

And before anyone could say a word, she turned on her heel and hurried out of Exton’s library. Surprisingly, her husband snapped her name, followed by muffled voices as Hobbs and that woman attempted to soothe him, and her heart clenched with both regret and relief. But it was far better her leaving, before her curiosity got the better of her and she asked the wrong questions or made an ill-advised comment. If Exton found comfort discussing his horrific injuries with Hobbs and Mrs. Taylor rather than his wife, well, she would just have to bear that in silence.

Wincing, Lilian ascended the staircase to the second floor as fast as she could without tripping or turning an ankle, although she slowed her pace along the hallway just in case there were any maids lurking. All she needed was a few minutes of privacy and she could regain her composure.

“Lilian…”

The furious growl from the top of the staircase froze her in place for precious seconds, then she bolted for her bedchamber. But before she could latch the door, her husband shouldered his way into her room.

And slammed it shut behind him.

SO MUCH FOR FEELING DUCAL.