Page 105 of A Deal with her Forbidden Duke
But he saw the tears slide down her face the second before she turned away from him, fleeing the room.
Chapter Thirty-Four
“Your Grace, where shall I order the carriage to go?” One of the staff waited for her instruction.
Madeleine had her belongings packed and ready to depart in a carriage before she could begin to process anything of what Alexander had told her.
Her heart ached in her chest, and she could not fight the rising wave of tears that threatened to spill wherever she looked.
The carriage, her chambers, her own reflection—all of which reminded her now of Alexander.
How could he have been so cruel, no matter what had happened at the club? How could he turn her away now, of all times? He had picked her up, saved her, protected her—only to now claim she was the least protected with him.
She knew the driver would be impatient, having been roused at such an hour.
From her seat inside the carriage, Madeleine’s eyes drifted to the study that overlooked the front of the house. Curtains twitched, and she turned away.
She did not want to see a glimpse of the Duke’s handsome face—the very face that had grown so cold when he had last looked at her.
The face of a man she could no longer reach.
“Take me to the Easthall townhouse,” she said, knowing that Tessa’s house was not far from the Silverton townhouse.
Within moments, she was set off, and only when she pulled away from the gate did she let herself cry as much as needed.
Still, the bruised, aching pain in her did not go away.
When she arrived at the Easthall residence, she was positively distraught.
Knocking on their door, she said in a rush to the butler, “I am here to see Lady Easthall. It is urgent.”
Of course, the butler knew who she was, and quickly ushered her inside.
“Please wait here,” he told her, letting her into the parlor. Madeleine collapsed into one of the armchairs. Moments later, Tessa appeared in the doorway, her brows furrowed.
“Madeleine?”
“Tessa,” she cried, standing, if only to throw herself into her friend’s arms.
“Come,” Tessa urged, pulling her to sit on the adjacent settee. “What has happened?”
“I—I do not even know.” Madeleine clasped a hand to her mouth, trying to hold back her tears. “I only know that I do not wish for Alexander to know I am here.”
Tessa’s eyes flashed. Behind her, Colin appeared in the doorway. “Only breathe the word, Madeleine, and I shall go after His Grace, regardless of his title. He has hurt you, and I do not find that acceptable.”
“Me neither,” agreed Tessa.
But Madeleine was already shaking her head. “I do not wish for you to fight him, Colin. Your protection is very admirable but I only wish to stay here for a while, if that is not too imposing. I cannot stay with my brother—Heavens knows he has already put Alexander on very thin ice. If possible, I do not wish him to know of our fight.”
“Your secret is safe with us.” Tessa clasped her hand, squeezing it. “When you are ready, I am here to lend a listening ear.”
Madeleine nodded, her shoulder drawing inwards. “If it is quite all right with you, I wish to retire.”
“I shall have a guest suite prepared,” Colin said, already bowing out of the room, leaving the two women.
Madeleine wished to spill everything—her heartache, the argument, the look on Alexander’s face when he had returned from his business. But she could not tell his secret. He had entrusted her with it, and the knowledge of anybody finding out would be damaging.
She bit her lip.
