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Andrew waited until she was out of earshot before turning to Tabitha. “I’m sorry you had to see that.”
“It’s fine.”
“No, it’s not fine. It never will be.” He cursed under his breath. Now the rumors would start again. Tabitha might even be dragged into the gossip, and Andrew couldn’t bear that. Perhaps he should put some distance between them. He’d do anything to avoid seeing her tainted by these malicious lies.
“Come, let's join your grandmother.” Tabitha slipped her hand through Andrew’s arm.
It wasn’t a grand gesture, but it was enough to make Andrew’s anger cool, at least for the time being.
CHAPTER24
Since the encounter with Miranda, Tabitha noticed a decided change in Andrew. The spark in his eyes had dimmed, and his lighthearted mood was replaced with a persistent melancholy. Worried that guilt would consume Andrew, Tabitha did her best to make the remainder of the evening pleasant.
At one point, he excused himself, and she saw his friend, Lord Batting, follow him. He would no doubt lend his support to Andrew. Tabitha could see the confrontation had visibly shaken him. If Tabitha had had her way, she would have ranted at Miranda, telling her to leave them in peace.
Finally, it was time to leave. During the carriage ride home, Lady Bedford rambled on about what a wonderful night it had been. Tabitha and Andrew sat in silence the entire trip.
Later that night in bed, a jumble of emotions tore through Tabitha. She was angry at Miranda for throwing slights and lies at Andrew, especially in public. Tabitha knew Andrew still struggled with coming to terms with his title and the circumstances of his brother’s death.
She worried about their future together. Tabitha loved Andrew with all her heart, but fretted that this incident would make him push her away. No doubt his sense of honor wouldn’t allow Tabitha to be associated with him. But she had to make Andrew understand she didn’t care about others’ opinions. All that mattered was that they loved each other. She would make him see reason. They’d discuss everything tomorrow evening.
But the next day came and went without a word from Andrew. He had promised to call for her at eight that evening, but had never arrived. Tabitha had waited an hour with no sign of him.
The next morning, Tabitha debated with herself about whether she should send a note to Andrew. No, she was overreacting. Something must have come up that had delayed him from seeing her. Although, in her heart, she didn’t believe it.
Later that day, after lunch, Tabitha received a message. It was from Andrew’s valet, George, asking if she would come to the house at her earliest convenience. He didn’t mention a specific reason in the note, but she knew it involved Andrew and it couldn’t be good. Why else would the valet ask for her? Tabitha made her excuses to her mother, telling her a friend was ill and had asked for her, and she might be required to stay the night. Before her mother could ask too many questions, Tabitha was out the door.
It didn’t take long to get to Andrew’s home. When she arrived, she hurried up the stairs, a feeling of dread settling in as the door opened.
To her surprise, George answered the door. Evidently, he had expected her to come immediately after receiving his missive.
“Thank you for coming so promptly, Miss Crestwood. I know it was presumptuous to ask you to come and not at all proper, but I only did so because His Grace has spoken highly of you on many occasions.”
“What about Lady Holcombe?” Tabitha asked, removing her hat.
“She tried to speak to the duke, but he refused to see her, and when she attempted to enter the study, he had some rather choice words for her.”
“Is she here?”
“No.”
“What exactly is the problem with the duke?” Tabitha braced herself for the worst.
“After returning home from Lord Carlsworth’s the other night, he shut himself in the study and has been there since. At one point yesterday, I heard a crash and rushed in to see he had overturned a table. When I went into the room, he yelled at me to get out. Before I left, I noticed the decanter of brandy was nearly empty. Since then, he has asked for more brandy.”
Tabitha didn’t even want to know how many bottles Andrew had drank.
“He’s barely eaten. I'm worried. It’s been almost two days, and all he does is drunkenly yell for more brandy. I thought perhaps you may get through to him.”
It was worse that she’d suspected. What was Andrew doing? Tabitha prayed he hadn’t done himself harm.
“Take me to him,” she said to the valet.
George led the way, then came to a stop in front of the door. He stood there a moment, as if contemplating whether he should open the door.
“It’s all right, George. I’ll call if I need you.”
The valet appeared visibly relieved not to have to enter the lion’s den again. She waited until George left, then knocked on the door.
