Page 53 of Wedded to the Forbidden Duke
And, even worse, the look in her eyes when he lied and said no.
Lied! Why would lie about such a thing?
And yet…
He shook his head.No.Even alone, he could not allow himself to consider the possibility.
If anything,he thought,let this be a testament to the danger of bringing any sort of such sentimental feelings into the mix of a relationship. Clearly, it only leads to people getting hurt.
Even as he thought it, something about the idea rang hollow.
There was a knock at the door.
“Come in,” he said quietly.
He could not bear to turn and look, in case it was Cecilia—and yet, there was a part of him that hoped beyond hope that itwasher. How strange, to want to see someone so desperately, even when he knew she would have nothing but cutting words for him.
“Good evening, sir.”
Ian held back a sigh that was one part relief and two parts disappointment. “Yes, Barnaby?”
“The duchess has packed her bags and left for London,” the butler informed Ian as he sat by the fire.
Ian stiffened. “Oh?”
Barnaby nodded. “She said she needed to visit her mother.”
“And did the duchess specify when she is hoping to return from this urgent trip?” Ian asked, still staring at the fire.
The butler cleared his throat. “Er, no, my lord,” he said, sounding sheepish.
Ian waved him off. “Thank you for letting me know, Barnaby. That will be all.”
“Yes, sir.”
As Barnaby left, Ian did not stir from his chair. Deep in his gut, something cold and uncomfortable pooled.
Regret.
Guilt.
Something more, which he could not—did not want to—name.
He ignored that feeling, and poured himself another drink, and knocked it back in one go.
The brandy was bitter and comfortless as it slid down his throat.
Fine,he thought.I suppose I will simply have to drink more.
Reaching the London townhouse of her childhood filled Cecilia with a strange combination of feelings. On the one hand, there was the relief of being on familiar territory.
On the other hand, however, she could not deny that her heart longed for her home with Ian.
And, even worse, longed for Ian himself.
Running away from the estate altogether had perhaps been a rash decision. She certainly could not imagine how it would improve things, in the long run—or in the short run, for that matter. For even as she was filled with hatred for him, she missed him, as well.
But, ultimately, a different emotion won out: embarrassment
