Page 77 of Duke of Silver
Tears blurred her vision as she hurried toward her room, her thoughts a jumble of pain and confusion. She vaguely registered the sound of footsteps above, running along the upper landing, but she paid them no mind. When she reached her chambers, her lady’s maid was there, oddly out of breath, but Elizabeth barely noticed. She dismissed the maid with a wave of her hand, not bothering to explain.
Once alone, Elizabeth collapsed onto the bed, burying her face into the pillows as her sobs finally broke free. She cried for what felt like an eternity, her heart aching with the weight of Alexander’s accusations and her own helplessness. How could things have gone so terribly wrong? Just when she thought they had made progress, just when she had begun to hope for more, he had crushed that hope beneath his accusations. He would never love her—of that, she was now certain.
And to think that he believed she had feelings for Percy.Percy!The very notion was absurd, and yet Alexander had seemed convinced, his jealousy twisting reality into something unrecognizable. How could he doubt her so completely?
She wished, more than anything, that she could escape. To be anywhere but under the same roof as Alexander. He had become a reminder of everything she could never have, and the thought of facing him again felt unbearable.
When dinner time came, Elizabeth made no effort to rise from the bed. She had no intention of going down to dine with him, not tonight. Her lady’s maid returned to help her dress, but she dismissed her once more, unwilling to entertain the idea of playing the dutiful wife at the dinner table.
But just as she settled back into the quiet of her room, a knock came at the door. Her heart gave a small jolt—was it Alex?But no. When she heard the voice that followed, it wasn’t him.
“Elizabeth,” Percy called from the other side, his voice light and encouraging. “I’ve come to escort you to dinner.”
Elizabeth blinked, sitting up slightly in surprise. She hesitated, but Percy’s voice continued, jovial and insistent. “Come now, you cannot hide away all evening. I’ll not allow it.”
She sighed, wiping at her eyes, though she wasn’t sure what possessed her to do so. Perhaps it was his tone, or perhaps it was the desire to escape her own thoughts, but something made her get out of bed and move toward the door.
“But I’m not dressed for dinner,” she said weakly when she opened it, gesturing to her simple attire.
“Balderdash,” Percy said with a grin, offering her his arm. “Who cares about such formalities? We’re only going down to stuff our cheeks and guts, after all.”
Despite herself, Elizabeth chuckled softly, and Percy’s grin widened as though he had won a small victory. She looped her arm through his and allowed him to lead her downstairs.
Throughout dinner, Elizabeth couldn’t help but notice that Percy made a conscious effort to keep the conversation light, his wit and charm working tirelessly to ease the somber air that had threatened to settle over them. He was quick to offer a jest, always attentive, and though she remained quieter than usual, Elizabeth found herself appreciating his attempts. She wondered if he knew—if he had somehow overheard her argument with Alexander.
After the meal, Percy suggested they share a glass of wine he had brought back from Portugal. Elizabeth, desperate for anything to numb the pain of her current situation, agreed. They moved to the terrace and sipped their drinks in silence for a while.
But soon enough, Percy spoke, turning more serious. “I heard,” he said quietly, glancing at her with a knowing look. “And I know how irrational my brother can be.”
Elizabeth stiffened, her heart sinking at the direction of the conversation. She didn’t want to talk about Alexander, not now. “I’d rather not discuss it,” she said, her voice tight as she tried to steer the conversation away from the source of her pain.
But Percy, persistent as ever, continued. “I do not want to excuse his actions, whatever they may be,” he said, his voice gentle yet firm. “But you should know, Alex wasn’t always like this.”
Elizabeth said nothing, staring out into the darkness beyond the terrace. She didn’t need to hear more about Alex’s reasons or excuses. She just wanted to forget, if only for a little while.
“The accident changed him,” Percy pressed on, his voice softening as he spoke of their past. “He feels as though he’s failed everyone—first Eleanor, and now you.”
At the mention of Eleanor, Elizabeth’s heart squeezed painfully. “What do you mean?” she asked, her voice hesitant, not entirely sure she wanted to hear the answer.
Percy sighed, looking down at his glass for a moment before meeting her gaze. “After the accident, Alex made a promise to our father—a promise to protect Eleanor. He was determined to keep it, but when she passed...” He trailed off, the weight of the memory clear in his voice. “It shattered him. And after I lost my hearing, well, he blames himself for that too.”
Elizabeth blinked in surprise. “Your hearing?”
Percy nodded, offering a faint smile. “I lost hearing in one ear after the accident. Alex has carried that guilt with him ever since, as if he could have prevented it.”
Her heart broke further for Alexander, for Percy, for all the pain this family had endured. She had known about the accident, but she hadn’t known the depth of the burden Alex carried. And as much as she wanted to stay angry with him, as much as his accusations had hurt her, she couldn’t help but feel sympathy forthe man who had been crushed beneath the weight of so many losses.
Percy’s next words caught her completely off guard. “I know you love him, Elizabeth.”
Her breath hitched, and she looked up at him in shock. Percy’s expression was gentle, understanding, but his eyes held a quiet certainty that unnerved her.
“And my brother,” he continued, “is the veriest of fools and a coward, but I know for certain that he cares for you too.”
“No, he doesn’t care,” Elizabeth shook her head, her voice quiet but resolute. She couldn’t afford to hold on to false hope now—it would only break her further. “And I cannot bear to be around him, with this constant reminder.” Her throat tightened at the admission, but she refused to let her emotions overwhelm her again.
“If that is truly what you feel and believe, I cannot change your mind,” Percy said, his voice gentle. “But I do hope you take whatever time and space you need to reflect. To truly see the man that Alexander is—a man who cares deeply for you, even if he is too afraid to face his own heart.”
Elizabeth’s chest tightened painfully at his words, but she refused to believe it. Alexander didn’t care for her. He couldn’t. Not after what he had said, what he had accused her of. Whatever affections she had held onto were now shatteredbeyond repair. No, there was nothing left for her in that house but hurt and disappointment.
