Page 94 of A Rescue by the Rakish Duke
Until she killed herself.
His father was a stern and unyielding man. Some people thought they were virtues, and perhaps they were if he was merely dealing with estate matters. But he didn’t know how to deal with his own family. He had left his wife isolated and ill when he could have shown her love.
Damian had vowed never to repeat his father’s mistakes, but Evan was right—he was certainly on the same path.
He let out a frustrated growl. Gwendoline and the fire in her eyes haunted him. But was that fire still there, or had he extinguished it?
“You’re a liability, Duchess.”
A wave of guilt crashed over him as his words came back to haunt him. He had doubted her loyalty and strength. If he had done that to a man, it would have been considered an insult. But he had done it to his own wife whenhehad been at fault. He chose to recruit allies rather than watch where his wife was going. The truth was that he had lost the documents because of his own actions.
He clenched his fists in determination. He would no longer hide, and while he couldn’t undo the past, he could do better. Make amends. Beg for forgiveness. Tell her how he felt.
She told him that she cared about him. Add the anguish in her eyes, and it was a confession. He loved her, and it was time that she knew. She could reject him, and he would deserve it, but she must know.
Rising to his feet, he grabbed a towel and tidied himself up. He must take action and not stew in his anger and frustration. He needed a clear head not just to exact revenge but to also win his wife back.
Reconciliation might be far off. She might still be hurt and angry. But he would keep trying. How could he win if he lost her and himself to the shadows left by his father?
No. He must confront his mistakes and offer his humble partnership to his beautiful wife.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Things were more exciting in Greyvale. The sunlight was not just a sign of a new day for Gwendoline as she perched on the ledge of her window.
Suddenly, the gardens looked beautiful again. She wished she could say that Damian had returned, but he had not.
On her lap was a letter. This time, it wasn’t for Abigail. It was a significant piece of correspondence, nonetheless. It seemed random at first, a letter that Hannah had found when she was in between tasks.
But it wasn’t random.
It was a secret letter between Timothy and a certain Lord Marston, a man notorious for criminal dealings not quite different from her cousin’s. They ran in the same circles, but what was the letter doing in Greyvale?
Then, she remembered how Daisy was tampered with. The letter must have been in the hands of a traitor in their midst, but who could it be? Everyone here seemed loyal to Damian.
And yet…
Gwendoline’s resolve hardened. She knew that she couldn’t just sit idly by, waiting for something to happen. If letters were being passed around freely in Greyvale, it meant that they knew she was no longer as mobile as she was before. Or at least, they suspected it.
After all, what did a wallowing duchess look like? Especially one who was too large, in her cousin’s opinion.
She must leave Greyvale.
The decision had come to her easily. She knew that Damian would be furious once he found out, but he should understand eventually. If not, why would he care? He had banished her. Even then, she didn’t want to undermine him. She was still trying to solve the problem—the one he said she had created.
Gwendoline hastily called for Hannah. The young maid immediately entered her room with eyes full of concern.
Gwendoline gestured for her to close the door. “I must see this Lord Marston. Therefore, I’ll need your help.”
“B-But Your Grace!” Hannah sputtered.
“This man might have the answers we are seeking, Hannah. It’s important. I am trying to help the duke.”
Convincing the maid wasn’t easy. Hannah was always concerned about Gwendoline’s well-being. She knew about everything that had happened so far and would not push her mistress toward danger. Her face was pale and her eyes red-rimmed.
“His Grace ordered the guards to keep you safe here. The traitor, whoever he is, can’t hurt you here, Your Grace. You can’t leave Greyvale.”
“I know,” Gwendoline said, her voice softening. “With the guards and many loyal servants, I am safe here. There may be a traitor in our midst, but so far, I have not noticed anything concerning. However, I can’t remain locked away while Damian is out there, facing Montrose. I want to help. You know I always want to help.”
