Page 51 of The Duke's Return
Her heart dropped.
“Pardon me,” Genevieve murmured to the servants, then hastily followed after him. Her crinkled layers of skirts made it difficult. She found herself falling behind. But once the servants were out of hearing, she called to him. “Julian, wait!”
Except he didn’t, so soon she was alone. He must not have heard her. She found herself standing alone watching the flicker of candlelight fading.
Not a glance, not so much as a proper word.
Too embarrassed to have the servants in the front hall seeing her return alone, Genevieve quietly took a long route back to her bed chamber. It didn’t take long for her to undress, bathe, and prepare for bed.
Only she was hungry.
After letting Elodie retire for the evening, Genevieve made her way down in the dark to the kitchens. She told herself not tobe disappointed that no one joined her this time. After finding a few rolls left in a convenient spot––someone down here was beginning to take note that someone needed food in the middle of the night––she turned back toward her rooms.
But Genevieve took the long way.
This path led her past the study door where Julian must have disappeared into. She thought she could see some soft light escaping through the cracks.
He had to be in there, she told herself. Pressing herself against the door, she tried to see through the gaps or the lock but found nothing.
No noise, either.
“Julian?” She dared to whisper. “Please talk to me.”
Silence greeted her until she felt like an intruder. She couldn’t have felt more foolish. Sighing quietly, she pulled away from the door to continue making her way back to her room.
He has shut me out in more ways than one, I’m afraid. Is it because of what I said? Or because of what he said? Every time he teases me, I cannot help but be confused. And the possessive way in which he held me, I… it couldn’t have meant a thing.
Reaching her bed chamber, Genevieve closed the door and then turned to the partially open curtain. Before she closed it, she studied the night sky.
“Why am I fighting this?” she asked herself. “This is what I want. Distance. I don’t want him toying with me. It’s better this way.”
Except somehow his silence felt like a punishment. Climbing into bed, Genevieve punched and squished her pillows intosubmission. She sighed heavily once she was settled, and wondered if she was more frustrated with Julian or with herself.
CHAPTER 20
After a restless night of little sleep, Genevieve still found energy to rise from her bed. She let Elodie dress her in her least favorite morning dress before taking her leave to enjoy the usual morning stroll.
The fresh air was a needed respite. She relaxed her shoulders and left the gardens to explore the front of the manor.
They would most likely have rain that evening, she decided on her stroll. But for now, she enjoyed the blustery day. There was a shawl over her shoulders and a bonnet on her head for protection, so she felt as though she could walk all the way across England if she felt like it.
Slowing down, she paused as she felt the ground beneath her rumble. It only took a moment for the cause of it to appear from around the gate close by, where a rider moved in her direction.
Genevieve’s heart near jumped out of her throat. She hastily clutched her shawl and hurried out of the way since the rider was driving his horse at a fair speed.
But then he gazed up to find her there, and began to slow down. Annoyance washed over Genevieve since her walks were supposed to be quiet and comfortable. Not filled with strangers interrupting her.
“Good morning, Your Grace,” he called cautiously, doffing his hat. His horse nearly came to a halt too soon, so he had to nudge the beast a little more forward. “You are indeed the Duchess, are you not?”
Seeing as his horse was large, he had to be tall and strong to manage it. The finely cut clothing was enough to classify him as a lord. But the tousled hair and sharp dark eyes weren’t enough for her to recognize the man.
She gave a wary nod. “Yes, the Duchess of Southwick. Good morning to you as well. Have you traveled far?”
“Very good. It has been a time since we have met, and I had to rely on prior notes for your appearance. I do believe you are quite the same as you were on your wedding day,” he said in a practiced tone. “It was unexpected to hear that you and the duke were taking leave of London so soon after his return.”
“Yes, well, we wished to have some privacy and to enjoy the country,” Genevieve managed to say.
It was difficult for her to focus as she was trying to place him. The man clearly knew of her. But who was he? Everyone now had to know where she and her husband were, which meant this rider could be anyone. Was he here to assess her husband or their assets? Was he here to judge? Or to be a guest?
