Chapter 15
The following morning, Emma walked into the dining room expecting to find Charlotte seated in her usual spot at the table. Except, the dining room was empty.
She turned as the maid was bringing in a tray of toast. “Millie, has Lady Charlotte ordered a breakfast tray sent to her room?”
“No, miss.”
“Please prepare one, and I’ll take it up to her.”
“She’s not here, miss.”
“Not here? What do you mean?”
“The duke and his sisters left last night.”
“They left?”
Millie nodded. “Shall I pour you some tea?”
Emma stood stunned at the news. Richmond had left without a word of goodbye. Why would he leave so abruptly? Was he in such a hurry to be rid of hercompany? She thought they were getting along so well, but his sudden departure made her question everything she believed.
Not only had Richmond gone, but he’d taken his sisters with him. Why did they have to leave in such a hurry? She’d gotten used to having Charlotte here, and she would miss her friend terribly. But Charlotte wasn’t the only one she’d miss.
Richmond’s departure pained her more than she cared to admit. The thought of not seeing him or sharing a conversation with him every day carved a large crater in her heart. The past couple of months had been beyond wonderful. She didn’t understand his haste to leave. Had she done something to insult him? She wracked her brain for any incident where she could have caused offense but couldn’t remember anything untoward happening recently. In fact, she’d felt that they’d been getting closer since her birthday.
What if it was all in her imagination? Had she misinterpreted his attendance on her?
Her heart was breaking, and it was hard to draw breath as the realization struck that he was truly gone.
How could she have been so foolish?
Why did she have to go and fall in love with a duke?
She’d always known she wasn’t Society’s version of duchess material, but her poor fragile heart hadn’t listened. She felt so empty, knowing there would neverbe anyone else for her. She would never open her heart again and resigned herself to the fate of becoming a spinster. No matter how many gentlemen her mother threw in her path, she knew she could count on Edgerton not to force her to marry against her will. She’d given her heart to a man who would never return her affections, and now she must pay the price for her folly. No other man would ever measure up to the Duke of Richmond.
She kept her back ramrod straight, willing her tears into submission.
“Miss? Would you like tea?” Millie asked.
Emma nodded and slumped into the chair while Millie poured out her tea before exiting the room.
She couldn’t sit here and had to escape. The tears fell down her cheeks as she got up and fled the dining room. She needed the solace of the garden to help soothe this unbearable hurt. The only man she would ever love had walked out of her life without a word or backward glance. Now all she could do was try to survive the heartache he’d left in his wake.
***
The following weeks were an agony Emma wasn’t sure she’d survive. There’d been no word from Richmond, although Charlotte had written several letters but didn’t mention anything about why they had left so abruptly. Emma couldn’t bring herself to askwhen she wrote back to her friend. She was glad to hear Charlotte was finally able to do without the walking stick, and there would be no lingering effects from breaking her leg. She also made sure not to inquire about the duke in her return letters, even though he was foremost in her mind.
Even riding Satine had given her no pleasure because it reminded her of all the beautiful rides they’d taken together around the estate. Her appetite had disappeared after the duke left, as did any desire to open the astronomy book. The world felt like an endless shade of gray without any hope for a rainbow.
“I thought I’d find you here,” Violet said, walking into the library. “Why are you hiding?”
Emma shrugged. “I’m not hiding.”
“Really? I’ve scarcely seen you the past two days. You barely eat, which is how I know something’s wrong.”
“I have a lot on my mind.”
Violet took a seat on the sofa next to her. “Emma, please talk to me. Perhaps I can help with whatever’s troubling you.”
