Page 59 of The Wicked Duke's Convenient Bride
“You need not worry about why I was talking to him,” Miriam said. “Neither of you. There are more important matters to be handled, like Tabitha! You cannot let her leave London believing you will abandon her for Rosemary! She must be beside herself with dread.”
“Who is Tabitha?” Lady Haywood asked helplessly.
“His wife,” the Dowager Duchess of Hillsburgh said.
Lady Haywood made a strange, choking sound. “Oh, no ...”
Matthew frowned. His sister’s recurring disappearances suddenly seemed increasingly suspicious, coupled with the familiar way she spoke of this jockey, who evidently knew her well enough to discuss intimate details about her family with her. Miriam was right, though. There were more important matters at hand, like Tabitha.
“Tabitha is good for you,” Miriam continued. “She is clever, thoughtful, and bold, and I know that you like her, even if you have not always shown her the warmth she deserves. You cannot let her leave. If you do, you shall regret it for the rest of your life.”
She was right. He realized it at once. Tabitha made his world brighter, and the thought of enduring a future without her in it was a bleak one. Matthew had been so consumed with ensuring that he was separate from Rosemary that he had scarcely considered how upset Tabitha might be. His chest ached. He was a fool for not thinking of her happiness sooner.
“I know where her family’s country estate is,” Matthew said.
“No,” Miriam said, sounding pained. “Do not wait. She is shopping on St James Street. Prevent her from leaving. Prove that you are willing to fight for her!”
Miriam was right. If Matthew cared for Tabitha, he needed to prove it to her in a way that no one could doubt, and he would do just that. A sense of purpose rushed through him. He could see his future spread before him like an open book. He imagined himself and Tabitha blissfully married. Without Rosemary between the two of them, they would flourish.
“I will,” Matthew said, inclining his head towards Lady Haywood. “Apologies, but this is not a matter which can wait.”
She smiled ruefully. “I understand.”
“We will be here when you return with Tabitha,” Matthew’s mother said, smiling. “Lady Haywood, it seems you are my only niece’s guardian. You simply must tell me all about her. Shall we have tea?”
As he left the study, Miriam trailing him, Matthew heard Lady Haywood agree. At least, she seemed to be a reasonable woman. Matthew hurried down the stairs, Miriam’s slippers a soft murmuring behind his own heavier steps.
“I have questions,” Matthew said.
“As do I,” Miriam shot back. “Who was that?”
Matthew quickly explained. His sister whistled between her teeth and shook her head. “This story becomes stranger by the minute.”
“It does,” Matthew said. “After I find Tabitha and persuade her to stay, I intend to speak with Lord Fatherton. I am not entirely sure what his role in this whole scheme was, but it is obvious to me that there was some involvement on his part. Otherwise, I cannot imagine how he would know about Rosemary’s return.”
“They must have remained in contact after their affair ended,” Miriam said.
“Indeed,” Matthew replied. “But I should like to know in what capacity. I think he told her to return to London, and I should like to learn more about that.”
Miriam nodded. They reached the entrance of the townhouse, and Matthew ordered that his carriage be prepared. As appealing as the idea of running to St James was, it was too far to traverse on foot. The carriage would be faster despite how long it would take to prepare.
“And once that is settled, I want to know everything about this Colin you mentioned,” Matthew said.
Miriam’s face was suddenly unreadable. “Fine.”
Matthew had no time to linger on his sister’s sudden change in mood. Instead, he rocked back on his heels. His blood was heated with the anticipation of seeing Tabitha again and ensuring she was well. He would not make another mistake with her. Matthew felt as though he ...
He loved her. Perhaps he had always loved her and had simply refused to acknowledge it, so great was his desire for Rosemary. Now, she was gone from his life forever, and Tabitha was his whole future. If he could just convince her to stay, she would be his beloved Duchess of Hillsburgh, and he would be her doting husband for as long as they both lived.
Chapter 27
Tabitha tried not to show the despair she felt, as she and Bridgette wandered through the market together. During their trip, Bridgette had decided to visit the modiste, from whom she had commissioned a gown. Tabitha agreed and stood, watching as the modiste swept around her friend, adjusting the blue silk gown and adding pins to make the waist a little smaller.
Tabitha’s thoughts remained on Matthew, even if she wished they would not. It was strange to think she had not loved or even liked him at the start. Now, he had consumed all her thoughts.
When she considered how he might be—at that very moment—kissing and embracing Rosemary, tears threatened. She did not ever want to lose him, but if he were happy with Rosemary, she could not possibly ask that he leave her. The annulment would probably be swift.
“Yes, I think that will be perfect,” the modiste said, beaming at Bridgette. “What do you think, Miss?”
