Page 76 of Duke of Silver
Elizabeth turned to him, her brow furrowing in confusion. “Now?”
“I’m afraid Liz and I have other plans later tonight and must cut our stay short,” he lied smoothly, not giving her a chance to object.
Her aunt, ever the picture of propriety, smiled warmly. “Oh, you need not apologize, Your Grace. There is nothing more important than time well spent between a man and his wife. Go on then, Lizzy. We will see you soon.”
Elizabeth hesitated for a moment, glancing between her family and Alexander, clearly torn. But her aunt’s urging left her little choice, and with a reluctant nod, she bid them goodnight and followed him to the waiting carriage.
The ride back to the estate was tense, the silence thick and oppressive. Elizabeth sat across from him, her confusion and irritation clear in the way her eyes darted toward him, her hands fidgeting in her lap. Several times she opened her mouth to speak, only to close it again, as if waiting for him to explain.
Finally, she couldn’t hold back any longer.
“Why did we leave so early?” she asked. “What was so urgent that we had to abandon the ball?”
Alexander’s jaw clenched, his thoughts swirling with the memory of her laughter with Percy, the ease with which they had moved together on the dance floor. He didn’t trust himself to speak, knowing that if he did, he might say something he couldn’t take back. So he remained silent.
Elizabeth’s irritation grew. “Am I talking to a wall, Alex? What is going on?”
When they arrived at the estate, she followed him into his study, her frustration evident in the quickness of her steps. “Are you unwell? Talk to me, for God’s sake.”
Alexander turned sharply to face her, the tension that had been simmering in him now boiling over. “Have youbeen talking to me these past days, Liz?” he shot back, his voice harsher than he intended. “You’ve been distant, dismissive—what am I to make of that?”
“This doesn’t answer why you cut our time at the ball short,” she retorted, ignoring his accusation.
“Oh, my apologies,” Alexander said, his words dripping with sarcasm. “I didn’t realize you were enjoying yourself so much at the ball. You seemed quite morose duringourdance. What changed? Did Percy lift your spirits suddenly?”
Elizabeth’s eyes widened, shock flashing across her face at his insinuation. “I beg your pardon?”
“You’re not givingmeanswers, Elizabeth,” he pressed, his voice sharp with frustration. “What is going on with you?”
“You speak of answers?” she said, her voice rising as she bristled at his words. “Tell me, Alexander. Have I gotten my own answers regarding yourtruerelationship with Georgianna?”
His anger flared at the mention of the widow. “Georgianna? You have the audacity to question me about her when all I’ve been doing is staving off her advances?”
Elizabeth’s gaze didn’t falter, her eyes burning with an emotion he hadn’t seen in her before—hurt. “I saw you with her at the dinner party. I saw you with her tonight. What am I supposed to think?”
Alexander’s chest tightened, his jealousy clouding his reason. “Do you regret marrying me, Elizabeth?” The question spilled from his lips before he could stop it. “Would you have preferred to marry Percy instead?”
Elizabeth recoiled, her face paling with disbelief. “Howdareyou?” Her voice trembled, but it was thick with anger. “Where is all of this coming from, Alexander? Why are you saying these things?”
“I’ve simply drawn my conclusions from what you’ve made quitetooobvious to me, Liz,” he spat, his voice cold, though the sight of her pained expression twisted something inside him.
For a moment, she stared at him, hurt and anger swirling in her eyes. Then, her face hardened, her expression closing off. “Then I shall leave you to further reflect on these conclusions of yours, Your Grace,” she said quietly, her voice icy as she turned and walked out, closing the door firmly behind her.
Alexander stood there, the sound of the door clicking shut echoing in the silence. His chest heaved with the remnants ofhis anger, but as the moments stretched on, the weight of what he had said—what he had done—sank in. His hands curled into fists, and before he could stop himself, he drove one squarely into the desk, the sharp pain radiating through his knuckles.
“What have I done?” he muttered under his breath, the words a hollow echo in the empty room.
He had let his jealousy get the better of him. He had hurt her, deeply, and he had no one to blame but himself.
CHAPTER 34
Elizabeth stormed out of Alexander’s study, her vision blurred by the tears she fought to contain. The sting of his accusations still rang in her ears, disbelief mingling with the ache in her chest.How could he?Whatever fragile hopes she had nurtured about their marriage, about building a life together, crumbled with his distrust. To believe the whispers of society, to accuse her—of all people—of an affair with his brother? She had never thought him capable of such cruelty until now.
Her heart shattered as she turned sharply around the corner of the hallway, nearly colliding with someone. Strong arms reached out, steadying her before she could fall.
“Elizabeth, are you all right?” Percy’s familiar voice came from above her, filled with concern.
At the sound of his question, something inside her broke. A sob escaped her throat before she could stop it, and without a word,she turned and fled, unable to bear facing him or anyone else in that moment.
