Page 44 of The Brooding Duke's Fateful Letter
They arrived home to find that two letters had arrived for him while they had been away. A man servant handed them to him on a platter, along with a letter opener, as soon as he reached the entrance to the house. He held them in his hand and first escorted Bethany to her chambers to change into evening attire.
He then opened them as he made his way to his study room.
Dearest brother
I hereby wish to inform you that I shall be staying with you at the beginning of next month. There are family matters we need to discuss.
Edward III
The duke crumpled the letter and threw it as far away from him as he could as the memories flooded back.
His father had refused his higher title, as he had not been allowed to marry Henry’s mother and remain king. She had been born of a lower pedigree. It was a decision Henry had honored.His uncle had become king but had no heirs. Since Henry was proud of his father’s title, he was happy to be duke. Henry’s younger brother now had what was meant to be his birthright He only made contact with Henry when he needed help or to escape from the difficult duties bestowed upon him.
He looked to the second letter that was addressed to Lady Wentworth. He went to find it to give it to her. She was busy with George who had grown bigger.
“You do know he will not be joining us for much longer in the carriage at the rate he is growing,” he said in good humor as he handed the letter to her. He watched as she opened it. He did not want to infringe on her privacy, he wanted to ensure there was nothing the matter.
She broke the seal on the letter and began to read. “It is from my stepsister, my stepmother has fallen ill.” She wore a troubled look on her face.
“I am sorry.” He was not sure how to respond otherwise. He knew that they had a tense relationship and he knew her better than to react in an unsavory manner.
“Thank you, Your Grace,” she said sadly.
“I shall get a carriage ready for you first thing tomorrow morning. I thought we had decided to call each other by our given names,” he teased, as he tried to elevate her worries.
“I do not think that would be wise, Your… Henry,” she said without looking at him. “She and my sister will not be happy to see me. It is better that I stay here and send a letter.”
“Bethany, I am certain your father would appreciate you being there,” he replied, making sure she thought about it, and would not have any regrets.
“You do not understand. We are not a family having a bit of a disagreement. They are not my real family, and they remind me of that at every opportunity.” He heard a hint of irritation in her tone.
“I do try to understand. I simply do not want you to regret not going,” he replied.
“What you want is of little consequence in this instance. I have made my decision,” she snapped back.
Why is she so maddened. I only want the best for her and now she is furious with me! The duke was perplexed.
“Well then I shall not bother involving myself with your business,” he said, as he felt his anger grow.
Keep calm, she is merely in shock! Though it does not give her the right to speak to me like this! The kind and unkind voices battled in his mind. The hurt she had caused by her sudden change in personality had given him pause.
“Please calm down. I know you are upset right now.” He tried to soothe her in a calmer voice.
“Oh Henry, I do apologize. It is just that I know it is the right thing to do, to go over there. But I had made myself ready to never see that place again, it is just too soon,” she said softly. She had only looked up at him when she had snapped at him. He bent down to try to see her face and she looked up at him. The tears falling down her cheeks caused the duke to have a visceral reaction to her grief.
He cupped her face as his thumbs gently wiped her tears away. “I loathe to see you upset, My Lady.” He said the last words to mean his and not just her deserved honorific. He tilted her head slowly, he needed to look into her eyes. When he did it was worse than he had thought.
The naked pain and heartbreak shone brightly in her eyes. He knew that he could not be happy again until she was.
“Tell me what you need, anything… it is yours,” he offered, not remotely bothered that she may ask for something he would not want to give her.
I would reach out into the heavens and present her with the stars, only to see her happy again. If only I could. He waited for her reply.
“I do not know what to do, even less what I need,” she replied.
“I am here no matter what,” he said.
“Thank you.” She smiled, sadly.
