Page 92 of A Scottish Bride for the Duke
And he’d become unacceptably attached to her.
Some space and distance might give him some perspective. A chance for him to find his equilibrium again.
Even so, something in his chest pinched at the thought of not spending his days and nights with her. Even for a short space of time, he would miss her.
Ridiculous, unpleasant thought. Yet there it was.
“What’s your plan with Moreton?” Joseph asked, and Adrian leaped on the opportunity for a distraction.
“I need to smoke him out. I have men investigating the bandits who Moreton paid off. Once I have them, I can get a statement. Proof—whatever I need. It might be enough to convict him. If not, he’ll be sent away, shipped somewhere no one else has to deal with him. It’s not unheard of.”
Joseph grunted. “That, it’s not.”
“I’d rather have his title stripped and see him hanged for his crimes, but I’ll settle for him losing the life he once had.” Adrian smiled thinly. “Once he’s no longer a threat, I can invite Isobel back to London and we can pick things up where we left off. After all, I need heirs.”
He did his best to smirk, but his heart wasn’t in it.
Joseph was silent for a long while. “You think everything will go back to normal when the duchess returns?”
“Of course. I’m her husband.”
“And you’ll have sent her away.” Joseph leveled him a long look. “You think she’ll forgive that so easily? I have my doubts, Adrian.”
“She understands why.”
“I doubt she’ll have wanted to leave.”
Adrian thought back to the fight they’d had in his bedchamber. Admittedly, he could have handled it better. Fear had gotten hold of him, made him say things he didn’t mean.
What he really should have done was reassure her and tell her it was for her own good, before welcoming her into his bed.
He’d missed her that night, and the night that followed, when she had stayed in her own room.
He just needed some time and space to grow accustomed to being on his own again. That was better for them all.
“She understands why,” he insisted, and strode to the fireplace. “The reason she doesn’t want to leave is she has some sort of ridiculous fancy that by remaining in London, she can protect me.”
Joseph sighed. “And why do you think that is, Adrian?”
“Because she feels responsible for this mess. A sentiment I can understand, but it’s too late for regrets. I married her, and that means her burdens are mine. And I will not have anything threaten my wife.” He slammed the edge of his hand down against his palm. “I won’t, Joseph. She must stay away until this nonsense is through. I won’t hear another word on it.”
Joseph raised his hands placatingly. “Then I won’t say any more about it. But don’t blame me if things don’t go right back to how they are now. People don’t tend to get cozy when they’re hurt.” He tossed the remainder of his brandy back. “Let me know if you need me, old friend. I’ll stand by you against Moreton.”
Adrian gave a thin smile. “I can handle this on my own. But… Thank you.”
Joseph looked as though he wanted to say something more, but to Adrian’s relief, he kept quiet.
The duke paced back around to his desk, leaning against it for a moment.
Instead of Joseph, he saw Isobel curled by the fire, a book in her hand and endless questions on her tongue. He’d never known anyone to be so curious about him and the way his life worked. At the time, he had seen it as a delight, but now it just made the distance between them feel even greater.
Perhaps Joseph was right. She would not forgive him for this.
And living with that was not easy for him at all.
Eliza paced the drawing room, her eyes flashing. “Let me at him, and I’ll make him see what a mistake it is, throwing you away like this.”
For once, Isobel didn’t tell her to stand down, calm down, or do anything else that might temper her anger. The hurt in her chest lingered like a thorn, and although she knew it might grow septic, she struggled to find a way to remove it without causing more damage.
