A muscle twitched in her jaw, and he could see his comment had penetrated her shield.
“What will it take to make you happy, Audrey? I don’t want to quarrel any more.”
Her eyes narrowed slightly as if she thought he might be trying to trick her. He waited in silence for her to sort out her feelings and decide if she could trust him. Eventually, she made a choice.
“You do not care what I need, my lord. Now, please leave me in peace.” She reclined on the couch and covered her eyes.
Colin sighed. If it weren’t for his nieces, he would have given up on his sister-in-law months ago.
Since Audrey had no information about Meredith’s whereabouts, he happily left his sister-in-law alone to steep in her misery. He searched the drawing room again before heading to the library and then the conservatory—where occasionally Meredith could be found studying the plants. She wasn’t in any of the places he searched, and none of the house servants had seen her within the last half hour. Finally, he went to look for her in the castle yard.
“Have you seen Miss Halliday?” he asked one of the young grooms in training. The boy pointed toward the lane.
“She went that way, my lord. I asked if she wanted a carriage to carry her to Danby Castle, but she seemed in a hurry to get away. Said she would walk and thanked me for my concern.”
Hellfire. Colin knew he should have explained himself immediately rather than waiting, but she had requested a moment to collect herself and denying her would have been ungentlemanly.
“Ready a mount,” he said. “I wish to call at Danby Castle.”
And he wouldn’t leave until Meredith agreed to come home where she belonged—by his side as his wife—no matter what the Duke of Danby had to say on the matter.
When he arrived at his neighbor’s home a while later, Colin discovered executing his plan was going to be slightly more complicated than he’d anticipated. He was shown to the duke’s study, and this time he wasn’t kept waiting. Danby stalked toward him, his face turning an unusual shade of scarlet and purple.
“You showed her the letter? Are you a damned fool?” Danby swung his fist toward Colin, aiming for his gut.
