Page 56 of Five Ways to Bed a Duke

His hunch was proved right when the woman removed the veil to reveal a weathered face surrounded by blonde curls. It was the Dowager Duchess, the woman also known as his mother.

“What are you doing here?” he asked, feeling the familiar rage rise in his chest. “You really must be fearless to come here, considering the warning I gave you the last time we met, Madam,” he sneered.

A slight gasp was the only reaction that indicated his mother had heard him, but she remained standing in the middle of his study, her head held high, daring him to continue. He must admit that he admired her confidence and bravery, but that did not mean he did not still harbor great anger towards her.

“Madam, for my sanity and yours, I would request that you leave.”

“Richie, Son—” the Dowager Duchess started.

Richard raised a hand, interrupting her. “It is ‘Duke’ to you, Madam. I hardly think we are acquainted enough for us to be on a first-name basis. For the preservation of your dignity and mine, I ask that you leave. I would hate to order the footmen to forcibly remove you from these premises, Duchess or not.”

At that moment, the door opened to admit Emmy.

“Brother, what is all this commotion about?” she asked. But when she noticed their mother standing there, her expression warmed. “You are already here, Mother. Please take a seat and make yourself comfortable,” she said, indicating the sofa.

“Emmy,” Richard interjected, “I don’t think that would be necessary. The Dowager Duchess was just about to leave, seeing as her presence here is not needed.”

“Well, she cannot leave,” Emmy scoffed, her voice brimming with defiance. “She is my guest, so I have the right to entertain her however I want to. She had not accomplished what she had come here for, so she cannot leave.”

“I am the head of this household!” Richard thundered. “I decide who stays and who goes, and this woman”—he pointed an accusatory finger at his mother—“cannot be here. I forbid it!”

“Richard, could you calm down and listen? We could just give her the benefit of the doubt. I don’t know about you, but I have lived in bitterness long enough to decide that I no longer want to be part of it. This might be our only chance to pursue happiness. Would you really throw it all away simply because of anger?”

“I am not interested in pursuing any peace that might mean this woman would live under my roof. She has to leave.”

“Well, you leave me no choice, Brother. If she leaves, I leave as well. I would love to see you thrive with no family surrounding you,” Emmy said, folding her arms over her chest.

Her posture reminded him of the younger version of her when she wanted to throw a tantrum. It just lacked the stomping of her feet.

Seeing the defiant look on her face seemed to cool his decade-old anger until he felt exhausted. He had carried this hatred in his heart for years and had watched it destroy him and his family. It was fast on its way to destroying his bond with Emmy, the person he cared about most in the world. This fact made him wonder if it was worth it to hold on to that poison while its source led a better, happier life.

Maybe a talk with the Dowager Duchess might be a step in the right direction towards healing for both himself and his beloved sister. He was going to borrow a page from his sister’s book and give his mother the benefit of the doubt.

He owed his sister that, at least.

Chapter Eighteen

“You have about half an hour, Madam,” he said, looking at his timepiece. “I suggest you make your point and be precise about it.”

“Thank you.” The Dowager Duchess dropped onto the sofa in one swift, graceful movement.

Richard stepped out from behind his desk and crossed the room to take a seat on the armchair across from the sofa. Leaning back, he crossed his legs at the ankles. He affected a picture of nonchalant relaxation.

When his mother did not speak for a few moments, he raised an eyebrow in question.

“Richard, Emmy,” the Dowager Duchess began, clearing her throat. “I know this might be too late, but I wanted to say I am sorry. You did not deserve to be abandoned the way you were.” She sniffled, dabbing at her eyes with a handkerchief.

“Of course, we did not deserve that,” Richard sneered.

“Richie,” Emmy warned, shaking her head.

He sighed, shifting on the chair.

“Why did you do it, Mother?” Emmy asked in a small voice.

Richard thought the answer to that question should be obvious.That is what selfish people do—they leave people behind when they no longer serve their needs.

“Why did you leave a newborn that still needed the care of their mother? Why did you feel the need to do that?” Emmy continued, her voice catching.

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