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“I hope that lifted your spirits,” he whispered in her ear.
Selena sighed. “It did, thank you.”
“Good. Come, let's go inside. I must excuse my appearance. I was out checking the pastures.”
“Is the new fencing in place?”
“Almost. The livestock will be delivered next week, and the workers should be finished by then.”
Owen had thrown himself into being a landowner. Each day, he and Victor Steele would go over the accounts and what improvements needed to be made. Eventually, they would need to go to their other land holdings, but for now, Owen was focusing his efforts on Stonegate. From what he told Selena, he was in regular correspondence with the managers from the other estates to make sure there were no urgent matters.
“Are you ready for our departure tomorrow morning?” Owen’s question made Selena realize her mind had wandered.
“Yes. Everything is in order.”
“Excellent. Now I shall go make myself presentable for dinner. I will see you then.”
Selena nodded and watched him ascend the staircase. After he was out of sight, Selena removed her outerwear and handed it to a waiting footman before going to the drawing room. There was still time before she had to dress for dinner.
David’s words rattled around in her brain. Don’t come crawling to me. That was the last thing she would do. During Owen’s absence overseas, Selena had realized that she had to take her matters into her own hands. Her entire life had been at the whim of her parents’, including her marriage. Then she had been at the mercy of Owen’s dictates once they had married. Now, things were different. She could take her fate into her own hands, at last. Hadn’t Owen said he would do everything he could to protect her? It was the perfect opportunity to get out of the marriage and make a life for herself.
The papers Rodney had drawn up were in her bedchamber. All she had to do was give them to Owen, and she could be free. But the idea did not sit well with her. Even now, her stomach was in knots with doubt. She sighed. Should she take advantage of Owen’s kindness and use it to gain her freedom, or should she stay? Either way, the decision had to be made soon. Each day was another chance that Owen could regain his memories and the possibility she would lose the man she had started to care for.
The dinner bell sounded. Goodness, she must have sat for quite some time, lost in thought. Selena went to her chambers to change for the evening meal. During dinner, they spoke of places to see in London, including Covent Garden, the art museums, and Parliament. Owen was an earl and would need to take his seat in the House of Lords.
The following morning, the couple entered the carriage at nine o’clock. The trip to London would not take long, and with any luck they would be there before noontime.
They were several miles from Stonegate before Owen spoke. “I had Tom draw up a list of people and places I may want to visit while we are in London.”
“That was a good idea. Tom would know better than me where you spent your time.”
He didn’t answer. Instead, he fidgeted with his collar, sticking his finger down the side, as if it was too constricting.
“Owen, is something wrong?”
He cleared his throat. “No.” Then he peered out the window a moment before looking back at her. “There is something you should know.”
“What?”
“Among the people that Tom has listed is my—mistress.”
She winced when she heard the word. Mistress. Of course, Owen would want to meet her. The woman had been an intricate part of his life. More important than his actual wife. Selena peered out the window. It was no use shedding tears over something she couldn’t change, but it didn’t lessen the pain.
Owen sat next to her. “Please, darling, don’t be upset. You know I must do this. I’m going to end it.”
“How can you be sure?” Tears threatened, and she had to blink them back.
“Sure of what?”
“That you won’t be attracted to her. There was obviously something about the woman that drew you to her.”
Something Selena had lacked. What was it? Was the other woman prettier than her, witty, fun? What had Owen found at fault in her, that he had to seek another woman to share his bed? The familiar sting of resentment and hurt boiled to the surface.
“Please believe me, Selena. My only reason for seeing her is to tell her we are over. From what Tom has told me, I have been paying for the house she lives in and other allowances. As a gentleman, I feel it is my duty to tell her in person that she will no longer be living off my charity.”
The explanation did little to quell her emotions. This had been a mistake. She shouldn’t have come. This trip would bring to light all the faults and issues with their marriage. It was one thing to hear rumors when she was in the country, but to face Owen’s indiscretions was a whole other matter.
“I know you do not approve, but I have to do this.” Owen put an arm around her, but Selena stiffened under his touch. Sensing her reticence, Owen went back to his seat opposite her.
She would stay in London to give Owen her support, but now she wasn’t sure if she could give him any more than that.
