Page 11 of Duke of the Sun

Cordelia’s heart threatened to stop. “The Duke,” she repeated. “Are you certain?”

“Very much so.”

She rose from her seat, hands beginning to tremble at her sides in the same way she remembered him the last night she saw him. Her eyes shot over to Irene.

Irene’s eyebrows were raised. “Perhaps the Duke has heard the same rumors as I.”

“The very reason those rumors exist are because of him, Irene!”

“Nevertheless,” she said, grabbing onto her things, “He has returned. Good tidings for the entire estate, isn’t it?”

Cordelia gave her sister a thin smile, though nothing within her was even the tiniest bit pleased.How can he show up on a whim like these?

“Hunters,” Cordelia said, “Might you escort my sister back to her carriage?”

The butler bowed his head deeply. “As you wish, your Grace.”

“Sister,” Irene said, “I might stay longer, if you wish.”

“I only want to greet my husband,” Cordelia said, her voice wavering ever so slightly. “Alone.”

Irene watched her for a moment, hesitating as the butler gestured towards the doors. “Won’t you write to me, Cordelia?”

“Of course,” she murmured, though a part of her was too engrossed in the idea of her husband being back to focus too much on her sister.

Irene, seemingly satisfied, allowed the butler to show her the way back towards the front of the estate.

Cordelia remained beside the garden, pacing along the steps. Silas, the terrier, kept a close eye on her as she walked, his head swaying back and forth as though music played. Her mind raced rapidly as she waited for her husband to make an appearance. She decided quickly that she wouldn’t dare to seek him out. Even though anxiety and nerves bubbled up within the depths of her stomach, she refused to allow her confidence to falter.

“Silas,” she said, holding her chin up, “If there is one thing I have done over these years, it is to build a life for myself, and myself alone.”

The dog barked in response.

“Precisely,” she replied. “The Duke made his choice long ago. How can I be scorned for making my own, all the same?”

Before the terrier could make another timely response, noise came from the estate’s backdoor once more. This time, it was Mrs. Bellflower, her voice carrying down towards the gardens as she opened the doors. Behind her, Cordelia could make out a looming silhouette that lurked behind the housekeeper.

Cordelia felt her heart stammer and shudder within her chest. Her relentless anger towards him and ever growing nerves mixed together unpleasantly.

The housekeeper stepped aside, and the Duke of Solshire marched out into the spring air.

Devils,Cordelia thought to herself.

If the Duke had a commanding presence before, it was nothing as compared to now. He dressed in a simple black coat, the tail end falling down behind him dramatically. Though his hair had been longer than most aristocratic men at the time of their wedding, the Duke let it grow out further, now resting down the back of his neck. The way he strutted down the steps, the way he tightened his jaw, the way his hands flexed and tightened at his sides, all threatened to bring Cordelia to her knees.

She raised her chin as he approached.Nevermind it,she thought.

“Welcome back, your Grace,” Cordelia called out to him, lowering herself to a deep bow. When she rose, the Duke was directly in front of her. His presence brought a chill to the air, despite there not being a cloud in the sky. The corner of his lip curled, a sinister smirk spreading across his face. He did not need to speak to let her know he wasn’t the slightest bit pleased with her.

“Hello,” he drawled, “Wife.”

CHAPTER3

“To what do I owe the pleasure of your presence?” Cordelia asked as the tension settled in between them. The terrier whined as he ran around the Duke, seeking shelter and comfort behind Cordelia’s feet. “I hope your private estate hasn’t bored you too much over these past few years.”

The Duke’s brow rose, a quiet scoff leaving his lips. “Well, I needed to see for myself.”

“See what, your Grace?”

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