What the Duke Wants(58)

Immediately they set towards Garden Gate, a war waging within Carlotta. Not three months ago, she was lamenting leaving her precious home, certain her heart would remain in the halls of Garden Gate without her. Yet, now, the further she traveled from Greenford Waters, the fainter her heartbeat sounded to her own ears.

Her heart had found a new home. And while she struggled to convince herself that it was because of her fierce attachment to the girls… she knew the truth. No matter how she fought it, tried to forget it and insisted against it, her heart was held by none other than the Duke of Clairmont.

The very man whom she could never have.





Chapter Twelve




“Lady Southridge! Damn it all where are you?” Charles shouted from the hall, his tone menacing and impatient.

“Charles what is the matter and why, in heaven’s name, are you bellowing?” Lady Southridge emerged from the library, her expression irritated.

“You! The only thing preventing me from strangling your meddlesome neck is the fact that you have information I need, and if I killed you, I’d never know it. I ask you, where. Is. Carlotta?” He spoke through clenched teeth. He felt like a wild animal barely under control.

That morning he had left at first light to ride and obtain a special license. It had taken him longer than he anticipated due to a miserable rainstorm that halted his progress on the way home. Expecting to sweep Carlotta away at the first opportunity he was shocked, and quite crushed to realize that the very woman he was intending to sweep away, was not in residence.

Betrayal, hurt and anger all fought for dominion in his heart… until he found a target— Lady Southridge. Poor Tibbs had wisely taken a few steps back from the duke when he explained the situation, and who had granted the permission for her to leave.

Truly, he had never been more tempted to commit murder in his life. What had those daft women been thinking? He had been very clear about his intentions with Carlotta. And why in the bloody hell did Lady Southridge let her go?

“Carlotta will be back in a few days, Charles. Settle down. You look positively wild. Absence does make the heart grow fonder, you know.”

Not the thing to say.

He took a very deliberate step towards her, unblinking he stared hard into her eyes. “I dare you to repeat that.”

Lady Southridge took a step back.

Perhaps the woman had some sense after all.

“Charles, she was with her solicitor, Mr. Burrows. Didn’t Tibbs tell you? I’m assuming you know that much since he said I had given her permission.” She glanced up as if exasperated.

She had no idea what exasperated truly felt like.

“Yes, I heard about the bloody investment making a bloody return and giving her back her bloody financial independence and her going to settle everything at her bloody estate. What I want to know is why you couldn’t have her wait for me? I was obtaining a special license… Am I making myself quite clear?”

“I—I wasn’t aware you had an understanding.”

“Yes, well…”

“When I spoke with her last night she didn’t imply…” She trailed off as if catching herself. Her eyes widened.

“You did what? When? When did you speak to her?” Charles took another step forward.

“I—I, well, I felt responsible.”

“In what way could you have possibly shouldered any blame for—” He began to roll his eyes.

“I told you to compromise her.”

“Dear Lord.” He felt his face drain of blood. “You didn’t…” He couldn’t even think of a damning enough swear word to describe the wretchedness of the situation.


“I—er… well I said that I felt responsible because I didn’t think you’d actually do it, and I said that since she left with her virtue intact, she should consider how much self-control you were exhibiting… oh bother… it sounds quite miserable when I re-tell it. But I swear it was quite eloquent last night.”

“Bloody brilliant damning hell.”

“That was quite a list.”

“It’s not remotely long enough.” He wiped his face with his hands. “This is a disaster. I have no words. I… I don’t even know what to say.” He walked away. Of all the wretched things! No wonder she ran away as soon as possible! Hell, he’d have ran away from himself if the tables were turned.

“But if you have an understanding, I mean you are engaged, aren’t you?” Lady Southridge was wringing her hands, trying to grasp at straws that would make the bleak and miserable situation somehow have a silver lining.

There was no silver lining.

Black. The horizon was black.

Especially since he actually never asked her… simply told her that they’d marry.

“You’re not answering,” Lady Southridge whispered.

“No. I’m not.” Charles stared straight ahead, seeing nothing.

“There’s no understanding, is there?” Lady Southridge whispered even softer.

“I’m not sure. I rather told her about my plans to obtain a special license rather than ask for her hand.”

“But… you said you loved her… right?”

“No.”

“What did you do?” Lady Southridge’s voice rose in volume. Charles turned towards her and saw her hands firmly on her hips, her lips in a grim line.