Page 103 of Claimed By the Beastly Duke

Part of Ava wanted to turn around and walk in the opposite direction so he would find himself in the garden all alone. However, she simply could not resist his pull and, most importantly, the smile on his face.

Remember, you are angry with him!

And yet no reminder was strong enough to stop the anger from slowly seeping out of her. Perhaps he had realized his mistake?

Ava even noted that his ride had been rather short. Maybe he had finally remembered the promise he had made to her.

She could not help the joy that bubbled up inside her as she realized that he had noticed his mistake and had now returned to make good on his promise.

By the time he finally stopped in front of her, carrying with him the musky scent of the sweat he had worked up during his ride, Ava had long since forgotten her anger.

Edwin smiled brightly at her, his eyes crinkling at the corners. “You have done a fine job here,” he praised, looking around.

Ava blushed. “Thank you.”

“I only now realized that I have never spent time here in this garden,” he said as he walked past her and sat on the stone bench. He patted the spot beside him.

“Come sit next to me,” he said in that deep baritone she loved.

Ava wondered for a moment if she should tell him what he had done or simply enjoy the moment with him. But then she decided on the latter.

She bounded over to the bench and sat beside him.

“Your ride was short,” she remarked, resting her head against his shoulder and closing her eyes.

This was what she had always envisioned—spending a romantic time in the garden with her husband.

Edwin shrugged. “I remembered that I still had quite a few tasks to finish.” Ava’s eyes fluttered open. “I am sending the ledgers to the solicitor tomorrow, and it must be in…”

Ava did not hear the rest. She quickly sat up.

How could I have been so foolish?

“So, you only came back early from your ride to continue your work?” she asked stiffly.

Edwin nodded. “The sun is beginning to set. I should return to my study now so I can finish my work in time for dinner.”

Ava felt a pang in her chest. She had been far too excited about his return that she had erroneously assumed he came back for her, when nothing could be further from the truth.

He rose to his feet, smiled at her, and began to walk away.

Ava seethed as she watched her husband leave. Part of her wanted to go after him and tell him off, but the other part decided to keep calm.

By the time he disappeared into the house, she regretted not speaking her mind.

She looked around the garden, and suddenly she realized it had lost its appeal to her, especially at that moment.

Heaving a weary sigh, she left the garden. However, instead of returning to the house like he had, she decided to take a walk to clear her head.

The sun had set now, and a slight breeze ruffled her hair. Ava enjoyed wandering the grounds immensely, especially when she was alone.

For the first time, she did not quite think about her husband and his contradictory behavior or the fact that she had missed out on a promenade with her friend. She simply walked.

She took note of every flower she passed by, and every butterfly and every insect.

She found the walk rather calming, and she did not quite realize that she was now at the gate of the estate until one of the guards approached her.

“Do you wish to go out of the estate, Your Grace?” the guard asked.

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