Page 70 of An Orphan for the Broken Duke

It angered him, in fact.

Where was Violet? Why was she not looking after Lucy? He would need to speak to her about that… although, such a conversation as that one was its own sort of turmoil. Rhys wanted to avoid Violet for a little while longer, but he could not do that if Lucy’s happiness was at stake.

Why are things never easy?

Rhys arrived at the nursery a moment later, and when he stepped inside, he started in surprise at what he found.

Lucy was in the corner, curled up in a ball, weeping as if she had just learned that the world was about to end. It broke his heart, and he wanted to go to her, but Rhys found his steps faltering.

It was fear that did it. Despite how close he believed that he had grown to Lucy, he knew that they were not yet at a place where he might comfort her. Also, as was his way, he worried that he would only make things worse.

“Lucy…” His voice cracked. “Where… what is wrong?”

“Mama!” Lucy wept. “I want Mama!”

Anger flared through Rhys as he turned, thinking to storm into Violet’s room and demand that she do her duty! Was she doing this on purpose? Was this some vain effort to force him to spend time with her and Lucy? How could she be so selfish?

Mr. Marrow stood in the doorway, and his face was ashen.

“Mr. Marrow,” Rhys snapped. “Where is Her Grace?”

“She is not here, Your Grace,” Mr. Marrow said as if he did not believe it.

“What?” Rhys barked. “What does that mean? Go and fetch her!”

“But Your Grace…” With a trembling hand, Mr. Marrow held out a single slip of parchment. “This was found in her room, Your Grace.”

Rhys eyed the piece of parchment, and as he did, he felt a pit opening in his stomach. He had no idea what was written, but he could sense it. And if he was right…

The pit grew wider in his stomach as he took the parchment…

Rhys,

As hard as this is to do, I also believe that it is right.

It has come to my attention recently that you no longer wish for me to be a part of your life. Such a realization, while painful to accept, is one I will not fight against. What I will do, rather, is what I know you want of me.

As of last night, I have elected to leave Ashmere Hall.

Please know that this was done, not out of malice or spite, but because I believe it is for the best. So long as I live under your roof, your relationship with Lucy will forever be stunted. This way, and by removing myself, I am giving you a chance to be the father that I know you want to be. And the father that Lucy deserves.

Be with her, Rhys. Love her. Prove to her and yourself the type of man that you can be, if only you stop fighting it for even a moment. Give her a life that honors your sister’s legacy, which now that I am gone, you will be able to do.

You are not wicked, Rhys. You are not evil. You are merely lost. With Lucy by your side, together, I know that you will find your way.

The letter fell from Rhys’ fingertips.

“She’s gone…” It was not a question. “I cannot believe that she…”

There was no joy felt in this realization. No relief because Rhys had gotten what he wanted. What he felt instead was heartache, loss, and the type of agony that one can only feel when they have hurt someone whom they love.

Lucy’s tears continued to batter the room.

He turned, thinking once more about going to her to show comfort, but unable to find the strength. He wanted to protect her, to give her a life of joy and comfort and happiness that she deserved. In the end, all he had brought to her world was loss and suffering.

The irony was unmissable, and it was the type that made Rhys want to wretch with guilt because he had never felt more self disgust.

When he brought Lucy into his home, it was to protect her—to prove that he could protect those he loved. But as was always the case, as was Rhys’ life, he just ended up hurting her instead.