Page 51 of The Odd Riddle of the Lost Duchess
Looking towards the direction of the Newberry dukedom, Emmeline whispered to herself. “I will see you soon, my love.”
* * *
It was with great restraint that Noah kept himself from looking at the clock every ten minutes and forced himself to work through the day. He had skipped his luncheon and even dinner to prepare himself for Emmeline’s arrival. He had already told the gateman to discreetly notify him when she arrived as he couldn’t risk his mother or grandmother knowing about it.
When the clock struck four, Noah’s hope was at its peak but when it went to five, Noah’s anxiety had mellowed. However, when it got to six and Emmeline didn’t arrive, he grew concerned. When it went to seven, he felt a bit cold.
Looking out at the darkened lawn and empty drive, Noah reasoned within himself.
Perhaps she got stopped at the Benwicks. She hasn’t seen Miss Benwick for weeks, perhaps she stayed back to renew their deep friendship.
“That must be it,” Noah said decisively while turning away. “It has to be.”
Chapter 17
Two Dukes
Grumbling to himself, George shrugged his coat off the moment he entered the foyer of Leverton Manor. The dukedom’s board meeting was one he’d rather forget, as the loud members had evoked a headache of massive proportions.
Dusk didn’t fall early at the beginning of summer as true night didn’t start until eight-thirty. The Duke knew his sister felt swallowed up by the enormity of the mansion, the absence of her best friend, and her misbegotten love for the thrice-damned Newberry. George wanted to cheer her up but still hadn’t found a way to address her.
He knew it was a late hour but recently, Emmeline had developed a habit of staying up and reading or composing prose. With a mind like hers, George was sure she would make a wonderful author.
He knew his attitude towards her was despicable but what was he supposed to do? Was he to accept that she had “fallen in love” with his mortal enemy? Moreover, she had embarrassed him and had put his reputation in jeopardy. Thank God he had acted on his feelings towards Miss Benwick as soon as he had, to salvage her social standing.
George climbed the stairs and went to Emmeline’s rooms. At the door, he paused and frowned. There was no lamplight coming from under it. That was unusual.
Has she gone to bed already?
Not wanting to chance waking her, George spun around and went to his quarters, deciding that he’d apologize to her the next day.
* * *
The morning was calm—too calm—which in retrospect should have warned the Duke that something was wrong. George rose with the determination to apologize to Emmeline, and wondered how to word it, deciding to just directly tell her the reasons for his anger and unkindness, and then ask for her forgiveness.
His valet assisted him with his bath and dressing into his informal morning clothes. He went directly to Emmeline’s door and knocked. The words of his apology were running through his head as he waited…and waited, and waited some more.
When too much time had passed, George’s brows knitted, and he pushed the door in, surprised that the door was unlocked. Instantly, he knew that something was amiss and stepped inside. His astute eyes noted that everything was in there—except Emmeline.
Where is she?
Spinning on his heel, George strode to his mother’s suite and knocked on the door. He had no time for formality, to request an audience with his mother through her servants.
“Enter,” the Duchess called out and George obeyed.
“George,” his mother exclaimed happily from her bed, “What a delight to see you.”
“As I am to see you,” George replied stately. “Mother, have you seen Emmeline?”
The Duchess frowned, her eyes narrowing before widening in horror, “You mean she hasn’t returned?”
Now George was getting alarmed, “Returned from where, Mother?”
“The Benwicks,” his mother replied while sitting up further, “She received a letter from Ann about your courtship and went to see her.”
“Who was her chaperone, Mother?” George snapped, “How could you allow her to go?”
The Duchess flinched initially at George’s tone but then looked directly at him, “George, Emmeline is a strong lady, not the little girl you still see her as. She is not some waif, and you need to realize that before she turns from you completely.”
