Page 64 of Her Runaway Duke
These men in front of him had grimaced at his face, yes, but what did it matter? It was only his problem if heallowedthem to affect him, but the people of significance – Siena, most specifically – didn’t care about his scars, nor what he looked like.
He had faced them – for her – but perhaps he could even learn to face them for himself.
“Leave,” he said, waving his hand forward. “And this time, don’t come back.”
CHAPTER 24
“Well, that was all rather dramatic,” Lady Willoughby said after Siena’s father and his men had disappeared down the front drive.
He had obviously been reluctant to leave, but with the other men too uncertain to follow through on his orders, he had eventually had no choice.
“Too dramatic,” Siena agreed.
She was standing with the two women in the front foyer while Levi and Lord Fitzroy followed a distance behind her father to make certain that they actually disappeared off of the property.
The truth was, she was rather nervous to spend time with Levi again. When they had previously been alone, before they had wed, it had been temporary, both of them having the option to continue on with their lives, but now – now they were tied together forever.
“You are a married woman, Siena,” Eliza said, echoing her thoughts. “How do you feel?”
“I hardly know how I feel,” she said, fluttering her hand in front of her. “So much has happened in such a short amount of time.”
“Well, we will leave you to your new husband,” Lady Willoughby said with a knowing smile. “It has been wonderful to spend time with you, Siena, and to become acquainted with the duke. While I wish this had all played out somewhat differently, in the end, I think you have found the path you were supposed to follow.”
“I hope so,” Siena said with a forced smile, trying to hide her nerves.
“I shall hopefully see you soon, Siena,” Eliza said, stepping forward and throwing her arms around her. “I do love you.”
“And I you, Eliza,” she said. “Thank you for everything that you have done for me.”
“Of course,” Eliza said, squeezing her tight. “Who knows – there might be a day when you will return the favor.”
Their carriage came around from the stables, pulling in front of the house. After the footmen had loaded their valises, Eliza and her mother stepped up into the carriage, waving their farewells. Siena had to wipe a tear away from her face as she watched the coach trundle down the drive – followed by a footman riding the horse she had “borrowed.”
She wondered how long it would be until she would see Eliza again. She could hardly imagine Levi wanting to venture into London anytime soon, and he hadn’t exactly enjoyed having guests here at the estate. Would he welcome them back?
Siena appreciated his commitment to her more than he would ever know, and yet she couldn’t help the small part of her that realized there would be some major sacrifices to be made – including her connections to the world beyond the estate’s doors.
Needing a moment, she collected herself with a sigh, noting that the sun was beginning to lower beyond the horizon. Just enough time, she considered, for a walk through the rose garden.
The long grass whispered against her skirts as she crossed the field toward the grove of trees. For the first time in a long time, she felt safe, free, knowing that no one would be coming after her and that, by marrying her, Levi had ensured that she had free will for the first time in her life.
All else aside, she knew that, no matter what, he would never make her do or be anyone she chose not to be, for which she would be forever grateful.
The chirping of birds and buzzing of insects filled the air, the rustling of leaves and the occasional snap of twigs under her feat adding to the music around her. This was beautiful, she considered, and she would never again take it for granted, knowing what kind of life would have awaited her had she remained in London.
She smelled the roses before she saw them, and she knew, then, that no matter what happened, the scent would always remind her of Levi and the love he had shown her in his sacrifice – even if he didn’t actually feel so strongly for her in truth.
She hugged her shawl closely around her, so caught up in her feelings that she wasn’t as aware of her surroundings as she should have been.
Which was why she was completely taken by surprise when the strong arms looped around her back, covering her mouth and dragging her away before she even had a chance to scream.
“I’mglad to see the last of them,” Levi said as he and Fitz watched the dust from the retreating horses and carriage continue down the road.
“I always thought it was a blessing that you were so close to London, but perhaps it was the opposite,” Fitz said. “It made iteasy for Sterling to return. You were married with very little time to spare.”
“Well, I suppose it also allowed you to visit and complete your journey to Canterbury in time,” Levi said.
“Look at you, becoming the optimist,” Fitz said with a grin, and Levi snorted and shook his head at him.
