Page 70 of The Duke's Jilted Bride

But those moments they’d shared, few as they were, suggested something more was possible. The passion of his kiss at the opera. The tender way he’d cleaned her wounds in the kitchen, followed by… She felt her cheeks heat at the memory.

Somewhere beneath his cold exterior, her husband had depths she’d barely glimpsed. If shy Matthew could find his voice talking about stars, perhaps she could find a way to make Rowan talk about whatever demons drove him to such secrecy.

The challenge was figuring out how to reach him before his walls grew too high to scale.

CHAPTER 24

“Forgive the modest accommodations, Your Grace,” the elderly servant wheezed as he led them through a narrow hallway. “Captain Veer wasn’t expecting visitors today.”

The house was indeed modest, a far cry from the grand estate one might expect a successful naval officer to afford. Faded wallpaper peeled at the corners, and the carpets showed considerable wear.

Whatever fortune Captain Veer had accumulated, it hadn’t been spent on his home.

“No need for apologies,” Felix replied smoothly when Rowan remained silent. “We appreciate the captain receiving us without notice.”

They entered a small parlor where a man in his forties sat reading to two young children. A woman, presumably Mrs.Veer, worked at some embroidery by the window. The domestic scene was so ordinary, so peaceful, that for a moment Rowan wondered if they had the right house.

Then Veer looked up, and his face drained of color.

“Captain Veer,” Rowan said, his voice carrying quiet authority. “I need a word with you. Privately.”

The children—a boy and a girl who couldn’t be older than six and eight—stared at the visitors with wide eyes. Mrs. Veer had risen from her chair, alarm clear on her face.

“Is everything all right, Elias?” she asked her husband.

Veer stood on unsteady legs. “Yes, my dear. These gentlemen are… old acquaintances from my naval days.” He turned to Rowan. “Perhaps we could speak in my study?”

“That would be acceptable.” Rowan glanced at Felix. “Lord Halston, perhaps you could entertain Mrs. Veer and the children while the captain and I discuss our business?”

Felix immediately transformed into his most charming self. “I would be delighted. Mrs. Veer, I must say what a lovely home you have. And these must be your children? They have their mother’s pretty eyes, I see.”

As Felix worked his magic, drawing the family’s attention with an amusing anecdote about his travels, Rowan followed Veerdown a short corridor to a cramped room that served as both study and library. The shelves were sparse, holding perhaps two dozen books and some naval charts.

The moment the door shut behind them, Rowan’s control snapped. He seized Veer by the collar and slammed him against the wall with enough force to make the pictures rattle.

“You know why I’m here,” he said, his voice low and dangerous.

“I don’t know what you mean,” Veer gasped, clawing at Rowan’s hands. “Your Grace, please?—”

“Don’t.” Rowan’s tone turned colder. “Don’t insult me with lies. I know what you did. What I want to know is why.”

“I don’t understand?—”

Rowan pulled him forward only to slam him back against the wall again. “I spent a year in hell because of you. A year aboard the Intrepid, pressed into service like a common criminal. My name erased, my identity stolen, my life destroyed. And you’re going to tell me you don’t understand?”

Fear replaced confusion in Veer’s eyes. His resistance crumbled, shoulders sagging in defeat.

“How did you find me?” he whispered.

“That’s not your concern.” Rowan released him, watching with satisfaction as Veer slumped against the wall. “Start talking. Everything. From the beginning.”

Veer’s legs gave out, and he slid to the floor. For a moment, Rowan thought he might have to physically shake the words from him. Then Veer buried his face in his hands and began to speak.

“I never meant for it to go so far,” he said, his voice muffled. “You must believe me. I thought… they said you’d be gone a few months at most. Just long enough to?—”

“To what?” Rowan demanded. When Veer didn’t immediately answer, he grabbed the man’s shirt front and hauled him to his feet. “To what?”

“To satisfy the contract!” Veer burst out. “They said someone needed to disappear temporarily. That you’d be treated well, kept safe, then released with a story about voluntary service.”

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