Gerard indicated for his office and Ethan followed the two men into the hyena’s den. Over the next several minutes, they discussed the specifics of the sale, including the price, any outstanding debts, and the rights and responsibilities that would come with owning such an establishment.
But all the while, Ethan merely found himself reminiscing about his childhood spent within these once-esteemed walls. This place had shaped him into the man he was today, and the thought of owning it, preserving its legacy, and perhaps even improving it for future generations, brought him a deep sense of satisfaction.
He made sure to ask about the staff, hoping to retain the last few familiar faces he still recognized from his youth. Gerard assured him that they would be willing to stay on.
When all was said and done, Gerard and Silas exchanged glances, followed by a firm nod from the solicitor. "Excellent, Your Grace. We shall draw up the necessary documents, which should be ready for your review and signature in approximately five hours."
“Of course you are more than welcome to rest here in the interim,” Gerard finished.
Ethan glanced at the clock again and sighed, the exhaustion from the long night finally catching up with him. He thought of Meredith, whom he had left without a word, and the urge to return to her grew stronger. "I appreciate your diligence, gentlemen. But I believe I’ll return in five hours to finalize the deal. I have a…final matter to settle.”
He rose from his seat, exchanging handshakes with Gerard and Silas before making his way to the door. As he stepped out of the gaming hell, he was met with the crisp morning air and overcast skies. His thoughts returned to Meredith, whom he had left without a word during the night. He knew he had to explain himself and hoped she would understand his reasons. Soon, this part of his life would be secure, and he could begin to focus on the new chapter that awaited him – a chapter that, much to his surprise, included Meredith.
CHAPTER13
Ethan massaged the back of his neck as he stepped into Penrose Castle’s grand hall two hours later, groaning in relief.
“Stanley!” he called out into the empty hall.
He threw off his rain-drenched greatcoat and kicked off his Hessians. It had been a grueling journey back, and he felt far from well. He couldn’t be. The stakes of the deal were far too great and despite being in the final stages now, a strange discomfort still pressed against his chest, leaving him irritated and uneasy. He could have waited at Hartley’s in the interim, but he wished to see Meredith first, to share the news with her.
With a loud exhale, he ventured deeper into the silence-filled halls of the castle. He hadn't laid eyes on her since the previous night when he had tenderly carried her to her chambers and slept by her side, and he couldn’t deny that he missed her already. A pang of guilt struck him at the thought of leaving during the night without telling her, despite his promise, but in that moment, he had felt he had good reason not to wake her. The agreement was so close to being fulfilled. A ten-year-long endeavor finally bearing fruit.
He went about seeking out his butler, Stanley, who was oddly eluding him at present. A maid, one whose face he did not recognize, passed him by and Ethan called out at the last second to get her attention.
“Has Meredith taken breakfast?” he asked.
The maid looked flustered. “I—I believe so, Your Grace.”
Without uttering a word, Ethan nodded and watched as the maid scurried away, clutching her bonnet in one hand and apron in the other. Ethan cracked his neck before adjusting the cuff of his sleeve, rolling it up slowly. If she had taken breakfast, she was likely perusing through some books in the library, a recent habit of hers, and a fact that graced Ethan’s face with a smile whenever he thought on it. She was finally beginning to treat Penrose as her own home.
The wind howled from outside and lashed against the walls as the besieging rain escalated into a deafening roar. It was almost noon, yet it was already dark outside and the storm was only growing stronger. He rubbed his wrist and moved ahead, his body yearning for a measure of brandy or port, anything that would relieve the tension that was consuming his body. Just where the devil was Stanley?
He paced through the thundering halls, his boots scraping against the marble floor as he focused solely on the roaring noise outside, attempting to numb his mind. He directed his steps past his study and toward the library. A month ago, his destination would have been up the imperial stairs and down the corridor to the left, for the billiards room. But recently, he had been spending more and more time in the library, particularly in Meredith’s absence, as it was the only place that could remind him of her without necessarily having to seek out her presence.
His hand closed around the cold handle of the door, and with a gentle push, he stepped inside. He took a moment to inhale the fresh air and his nostrils filled with Meredith’s perfume, a delicate citrus and lavender scent that could drive him insane. But the library was empty, devoid of Meredith’s presence. He shut the door behind him and rubbed the bridge of his nose at the realization of what he was doing.
I have already made my plans with her, but have yet to ask how she feels about them. I stand on the precipice of finally acquiring what I’ve sought for ten years, the very essence of my youth, yet I cannot be satisfied until I have shared the news with her.
What was this he was feeling? Moving deeper into the cold room, he reached the chaise longue and tossed aside the books laying on it before taking a seat. He shut his eyes and rested his head back, putting his feet up on a nearby chair. However, he felt something under them, followed by a soft thud as if whatever it was had fallen.
His eyes flickered open, and then he saw it. Lying on the floor beside the chair like a beacon.Whispers of Serendipity. The book Meredith was carrying when he had met her on her coming out. Instinctively, his hands tightened into fists and he leaned forward to pick it up. The leather binding felt smooth against his fingers and he gulped audibly with regret and guilt.
He gazed at the cover once more, as memories of Meredith returned in waves. Placing the book carefully by his side, he bit his tongue until blood was drawn, trying to stop himself from yelling.Everythingwas reminding him of her. He was such a fool and the situation was nothing short of pitiful.
A knock at the door diverted Ethan’s attention.
“Yes, what is it?” he called out lazily.
The door creaked open, and Stanley, slender and composed as ever, appeared from behind it. “Pardon me, Your Grace,” he said unemotionally. “I was informed you were asking for me.”
He didn’t know how Stanley found him, but he didn’t bother asking. Perhaps one of the servants had seen him, perhaps Stanley had an in-built compass and was just that good at predicting his movements—it didn’t matter at the moment.
“Yes,” he replied tersely. He drummed his fingernails against his thigh, wondering whether to ask his loyal butler about Meredith, if perhaps he had seen her today after breaking her fast. He would seem pitiful, perhaps desperate even, for keeping such strict tabs on atemporarywife. “Stanley,” he started, then paused. The words lingered on the tip of his tongue, as he tried to build up the courage. “I will need to—Blast it, have you seen Meredith? She would usually be here at the library after breakfast, but she wasn’t here. I suspect she’s merely resting in her chambers, but I’d like to confirm.”
His butler’s features contorted into something akin to confusion, his eyebrows furrowing and his lips pressing together in a tight line. “The Duchess?” he asked, stating the obvious. “The Duchess left Penrose for your Wiltonshire residence early this morning.”
Another snap of thunder jolted and whipped at the castle walls, its simmering light flashing the room mere seconds later, matching the shock and confusion that crossed his mind at the moment.
