Page 80 of The Duke's Return
“The deal is over,” Julian cut in curtly.
If she reached out to him now, her fingertips would surely brush against his waistcoat. But she didn’t dare. The man’s aloof manner created such distance between them that she felt like it might take a thousand miles to reach him again.
But even that might not be enough. It might take a thousand years. The man has locked himself away. But I know him. I know his vulnerability, I know he is afraid. Why can’t he let go of that? Why am I not enough for him to be brave? I cannot stand it. I cannot bear him.
“I’m done playing,” she told him.
“Good,” he said before turning on his heel and taking his leave.
The door closed right behind him as he disappeared into his bed chamber, leaving Genevieve standing there alone. She squished down the pain and hurt. She closed up the feelings and desires, hopefully for good. They weren’t helping at this time.
It was best, she decided, to take control of what she could.
Knowing she could do nothing about the duke, Genevieve considered her options. She had meant it went she was done playing. Even though Julian would surely think he had had a final word, she wasn’t done.
He cannot keep treating me thus. If I must remove myself entirely from his life, then so be it. Anything to avoid this agony a second time.
Hastily taking to her own rooms, she rung the bell pull and moved about her bed chamber until Elodie made her arrival. By then, the room was half torn apart with everything out.
“Oh goodness,” her maid breathed in astonishment. “What is it, Your Grace? Is something lost? How can I help?”
Genevieve sucked in a deep breath as she came to stand still for only enough time to announce, “We are taking our leave at daylight on the morrow. Help me pack.”
I won’t let him leave me again. It’s my turn.
CHAPTER 31
Julian stood at the window with his bed chamber to his back, studying the rise of the morning sun. The golden rays spread far across the land. His land. The land he had known all his life.
Today was the last day he would see it for some time.
Trying to take in the magnitude of that, however, wasn’t working as he had previously planned. He thought this would be enough. A calm and quiet morning would take place––he could ride out this afternoon, say farewell to the villagers and his tenants to ensure their updated agreements were in place, and then he would end the evening by having supper with Genevieve.
While the latter part left him uneasy, Julian thought it best. He had ignored her previous invitations, and he needed to show the household that they were parting on good terms.
She’ll be all right in the end. She’s strong, independent, and bold. She’ll forget me within a fortnight.
He had to keep reminding himself of this. Otherwise, he feared the invisible pull between them would grow strong again andpull him in. Pull him to her. The thought worried him. If they were alone, there was no telling what might happen or what he might say.
“I’m done playing,” she had told him yesterday.
One more supper and then we are done for good, I assure you of that, Genevieve.
“Genevieve,” he murmured just loud enough to taste the name on his lips. Almost like he could taste her again. He sighed, leaning forward to rest his head against the window frame. It was loathsome being here now and yet so far from her.
I’ll eventually forget as well. And even if I don’t, it is what I deserve. An unhappy marriage was the only option ever available to me.
“Your Grace, good morning.” His valet entered the room with just enough noise to alert him of his presence. “Would you like to go for a ride?”
“Not yet. I’ll break my fast first.” Julian turned around with a forced smile. Dressed only in his shirt and pants, he could eat here and then change as needed for his ride. But there was no rush just yet. “Bring me pen and paper as well so I might deliver a note to the duchess.”
His valet wavered for a moment, as though they hadn’t gone through this routine for the last couple of days, before bowing and seeing himself out.
Julian turned back to the chamber when the valet returned. The two of them gathered at the small table in the corner of the room. On the tray that his valet delivered included his currentbreakfast of late: one muffin, two apples, warm tea, and three eggs.
To the side was a folded piece of paper but no pen.
He paused and then glanced up. “I’ll need a pen to do my writing, won’t I?”
