Page 44 of Wedded to the Beastly Duke
That was likely true, but Emmeline couldn’t let go of her conviction so easily. If there was a mystery here, she was determined to unravel it.
* * *
Opposite Adam, a glass of brandy in his hand, Nicholas sighed. “This again? When will you accept he’s gone, Adam?”
“When there is proof clear before my eyes that he perished. You say it’s probable that he fell or had a heart attack, but that leaves no explanation.”
“My friend, that’s because thereisno explanation, or at least none that I can give you.” Nicholas ran a distracted hand along his jaw. “I told you I saw him the day of his death, but it was a short meeting to inform him of my impending marriage.”
A marriage that William had not had a chance to attend.
Adam sighed, leaning back in his chair and accepting a glass of scotch. “I know this is hard for you as it is for me.”
“Not a day goes by when I don’t think of him.” Nicholas’s voice was low.
“Nor I.”
“I know you wish to uncover some great secret, but I think there’s not much mystery to it. He went out for a walk, and while out there, he fell and knocked his head. You know he loved to walk. And if no one knew he was missing for some time, that provided ample opportunity for animals to find and…” Nicholas’s jaw tightened, and his eyes were glazed, an expression of such agony crossing his face that Adam was half tempted to leave the room. “It’s an inglorious end to such a fine man, but what else is there to say? It’s not as though he would have done it himself.”
“No, of course not.” Adam was sure of few things in life, but of that point he was certain. “William would never have done such a thing.”
“Put the matter out of your mind. It’s distressing for you and everyone around you.” Nicholas tossed his drink back, grimacing. “I wish it were not so either, but he’s gone, Adam. The best thing you can do now is accept it.”
Almost everyone had been giving Adam the same advice since he had arrived home to find his brother gone. But there was a part of him—a stubborn part, he could readily admit—that refused. Giving up would be accepting something that should not be.
It would be a betrayal to his brother.
Adam could not do that.
But it was also evident that his old friend was deeply affected by the conversation, so he let the matter drop and moved on to lighter topics—Nicholas’s marriage and Prinny’s latest public disgrace.
Talking of scandal when it was so far removed from them was easy, and when Adam at last retired to bed, he felt a modicum of peace.
* * *
Days passed without Adam returning to her. After her initial anger, Emmeline realized with horror that another emotion was creeping up on her, one she had never been forced to combat before.
She was lonely.
Almost all her life, she’d had her sister as a companion and the constant demands of a mother incapable of regulating her emotions. Sometimes, that had put her in a difficult position, but she had never wanted company. She and her sister would sit up late talking and gossiping and speaking of their hopes for the future.
She could, she supposed, put her thoughts into a letter, but she had been so adamant that she would be perfectly fine in this marriage she had stepped forward for, and she knew Aurelia would feel guilty if she knew even part of it.
As a result, she told no one of her dissatisfaction, although she swore that when Adam finally returned from wherever he had gone, he would know the full of it.
When she heard a knock at the front door and the butler answered, her heart leaped into her throat, and she thought for certain that Adam had returned. Gathering her skirts in her hands, she left the drawing room and strode toward the hall, preparing herself for the inevitable battle of wills that would be sure to follow.
No, not merely preparing—she was anticipating it. Her blood hummed at the thought of pitting herself against him and what might happen after.
But the person who greeted her was not her husband. In fact, he was not a man she recognized at all. He was a tall, though not unreasonably so, gentleman with soft brown hair falling into his forehead, and a charming smile which he immediately turned on her.
“I heard that the Duke got married, but I had not known his wife would be such a diamond of the first water,” he said gallantly, holding out his hand. When she placed her hand in his, confused by this effusive greeting, he kissed her knuckles. “Forgive the intrusion. Is the Duke home?”
“I’m afraid not,” she said, drawing herself up. “May I ask who you are?”
“Of course! Mr. Rickard Hansen, at your service.” He swept into a bow, and she recognized that although she was unfamiliar with his face, he must have been taught court manners. “I’m a friend of Adam’s.”
“Oh. He has never mentioned you.”
