CHAPTER 43 - The Incriminatory letter
HE WAS A COWARD FORescaping like that. Avondale wasn’t sure he had fooled Olivia, but he had needed to get out of there. The feelings that kiss had awakened inside him scared him to death. He had never wanted to let go. He was becoming too vulnerable.
He reached his study and closed the door behind him. Then, after taking a few deep breaths and downing a whisky to fortify himself, he sent for his secretary to coordinate some meetings.
One of the main matters he needed to attend was the meeting with the private investigator he had employed to look into Livvy’s case. He had to give the man his address in London. He also wanted a report on the progress of the investigation.
As it turned out, Mr. Granger had a bit of information.
“The innkeeper of the next village said a strange couple appeared about a month ago and stayed a few days before moving on. They said they were conducting some research about the local fauna; but the innkeeper was suspicious because he never saw them studying any animals. Instead, they seemed to spend most of the time talking to people.”
“Was that all that was odd about them?”
“Well, they were not from these parts. From London, they said, but the innkeeper says there was something off about them. I tried to press him for details, but he says he isn’t sure exactly what. He said it was something in the way they spoke or moved or dressed. Nothing was overtly wrong, but they seemed almost as if they wore disguises. Like they didn’t really belong amongst the other guests.”
“Hmm, interesting. It is something worth pursuing. Do we know where they went next?”
“The innkeeper didn’t know. But I went to the train station, and the ticket master said a man by that description was there the day before last, and bought two tickets to London.”
“If they went to London, they may be impossible to find. They could be anywhere, and whatever activities they might undertake would be less noticeable in London. If indeed they were doing something suspicious. It might be worth looking in every town on the train path from here to London. They might have gotten off. It is not much, but it’s the best we have so far. Any other suspicious activity? Has anyone reported something strange happening?”
“Nothing more, Your Grace.”
“We will go to London tomorrow. If you need to contact me, send a message to my London address.” Dale said, handing him a card.
“Certainly, Your Grace.” Mr. Granger stood, executed a quick bow, and left.
Next came meetings with his steward and his secretary. Goodness, but one would think he was going on a protracted trip around the globe, not merely to London, where probably more work awaited. He really needed a holiday. When was the last time he had gone away for a few days, with no work and no responsibilities other than to enjoy himself? It had been years.
Right after Eloise’s death. He had gone away for two years. But that had not been a true holiday. It was more like an escape. He had been a man in agony, bent on outrunning his grief and guilt.
But now, he would really like to go on a holiday with Olivia. Maybe the Channel Islands or Provence. Near the sea. It was a tempting idea. He would have to propose it to Livvy. It would be like a real honeymoon. He grimaced. There would be no safeguarding his heart if they spent several days alone, with nothing for him to do but make love to her.
But he suspected his heart was past the point of being protected, anyway. She had already conquered the fortress, torn out the walls—no, not really. The walls remained in place. What she had done was burrow behind the walls, gaining access to his most private places. She had been doing it since the moment he found her on the forest floor. There was no help for it, so he might as well enjoy it while it lasted.
Checking the time, he realized it was almost six in the evening. The meetings had consumed more time than he had expected. Dinner would be served in a couple of hours, but he had skipped luncheon and was ravenous. Besides, he missed Livvy already. He would seek her out and try to cajole her into joining him for a late tea, then he would propose his idea of taking a proper honeymoon.
No sooner had he completed the thought than Livvy exploded into his study, brandishing a piece of paper in one hand. Her eyes found him immediately.
“Dale, you need to see this!”
“What is it?” he asked, somewhat alarmed, for her expression was one of someone who had discovered something momentous.
“It is a letter. Or more like a note, or a page of a diary. I don’t know, but it is strange. Here, read it.” She thrust the paper into his hand.
‘My love, I long for the touch of your hands, for another taste of your lips. How could I ever give up the bliss I have found in your arms now that I have discovered it? I wish I could run away with you, to a place where we are free to love each other the way we want. To a place where our love is not forbidden. Does such a place exist? Maybe in another life; where I’m not a wife or a duchess. I would have to die and be born again. I would do it. I would choose any life with you. Would you follow me there...’
Dale slowly lifted his head from the note. The pain of the implications of this note tore through him. He could hardly breathe, his muscles felt locked in an impossible vise.
“Where did you find this?” His voice had all the warmth of an arctic wind.
“In my new bedroom.” She answered in a rush. “They moved my things to the Duchess’s suite while we were gone. I was rummaging through the armoire and I noticed one drawer didn’t seem to have the right depth. As an architect, I’m trained to think about dimensions and...” she shook her head. “Never mind that. I found a secret compartment, and this paper was inside. Is it–?”
“Eloise was in love with someone else,” He snarled, crushing the paper. “She had a lover. Right under my nose, and I never even suspected it.”
