Page 21 of The Odd Riddle of the Lost Duchess
Noah wondered what Emmeline would believe. He remembered her worried face last eve, as she demanded that he remain unharmed. Would the incident alter her emotions towards him? Would she revert to her disdain of him?
For the love of God, I hope not.
* * *
Emmeline scowled at her reflection in the candlelight. She had spent the last two hours tossing and turning in her bed. Her eyes were shadowed from the exhaustion of attending two balls, her cheeks pale from anxiety, and her hair tumbling in disarray around her shoulders. There had been no word from the Duke of Newberry in the past three days, and she was getting extremely worried.
A cup of hot milk would perhaps aid her, and she went in search of one. Though the house was dark and eerily silent, Emmeline embraced the solitude of the night, for during the day it was difficult to find any place for privacy, apart from her room. After pouring the heated milk in a cup, she returned to her room.
Tap!
She jumped. What was that sound?
Emmeline looked around, frowning. Perhaps she had imagined it, in her weariness.
I really need to sleep.
Tap! Tap!
There it was again! It was coming from the window. Emmeline set down the cup to investigate, and opened the window to find a tall figure in the back garden, waving at her.
She blinked twice to confirm what she was seeing. Dear Lord! Was that Noah? Emmeline’s heart thundered as she waved back.How can I possibly meet him like this in the middle of the night? What if someone spots me exchanging words with the Duke and a scandal arose?
Remembering that Ann was only a room away, for she had decided to stay at Lady Alford’s house that night, Emmeline rushed to find her friend. Ann opened at the second discreet knock.
“Whatever is amiss, Em?” Ann’s asked sleepily.
Emmeline told her friend about the Duke’s presence. Ann’s eyes widened as she followed Emmeline to her bedroom.
“Em!” Ann said in a furious whisper. “This is outrageous! How can he expect you to talk to him at this hour? You are not even properly attired!”
Emmeline hastily began donning a gown. “Come, help me. Quickly!”
“What has come over you, Em?” Ann demanded, even as her hands tied the strings of Emmeline’s chemise. “Your reputation is at stake. What if someone sees you?”
“No one will see me,” Emmeline said, her eyes wide. “But you have to help me, Ann. He was in a duel, and I have not heard from him in three days! He could be in trouble!”
Ann’s face finally softened. “All right. Wear your darkest cloak. I will keep watch that no one enters the garden.”
Encased in her cloak, the hood covering her hair and most of her face, Emmeline tiptoed with her friend through the house to the kitchen door leading to the herb garden. The ladies sighed in relief that the hinges and locks were well oiled, for there was not a sound as Emmeline walked outside in the chilly night air.
The Duke was nowhere to be seen. Emmeline searched the garden, yet found nothing. Disappointment replaced the excitement.
She then noticed an envelope on the bench. Snatching it, Emmeline returned to her bedroom with Ann at her heels.
“He was not there?” Ann raged. “I cannot believe you got dressed and we took such a risk for nothing.”
“Let me read it, Ann,” Emmeline sighed. “There must be an explanation for this bizarre behavior.”
My dear Emmeline,
I fear I have to depart in haste, for I am a suspect of a crime I did not commit. Over the days you will hear rumors, which is why I thought to explain my actions to you.
At dawn, we did not fight St. Maur but we did find his body. Although he has been my enemy for a long time, I did not wish for what happened. My friends and I found that someone had shot St. Maur before we reached the location for the duel.
The constable has ordered me to leave for a short time because this incident will cause quite a stir in the ton and since I was in the midst of it, they will attempt to connect my name to it. The murderer may try to frame me.
I came in person to leave this letter to you before departing because I was uncertain you would receive it, considering your brother’s disapproval of me. I could not meet you at this hour, in spite of my heart’s desire, because it was a risk to your reputation.
