“My dear, you have jumped to conclusions too early on. This is not the correct way to go about things.”
Sophia shook her head.
“No, I shall trust my gut instinct now. Look at my scars, Aunt Rose. How can a person who holds them not be cursed? You should not lie to me any longer to make me feel better. I do not deserve a life full of love. Whatever I touch, whoever I grow close to suffers a terrible fate.”
Usually, Sophia was careful around her aunt. She did not want her to worry too much, but tonight, she was letting it all out.
Aunt Sophia shook her head and looked at her niece with sympathy.
“I deserve the nightmares I got from it. I have decided to spend the rest of my days as a recluse in this house. These last few days, the tea you had sent me had been working, and my nightmares had disappeared, but now, I will stop drinking it as well.” Sophia was rambling now.
“My dear, I did not send you any tea. What are you referring you?” Aunt Rose asked.
“The tea,” Sophia emphasized. “You sent me a package at Blackmoore Estate, did you not?”
“I have done no such thing.”
Sophia’s head was spinning was confusion now. How was it even possible that her aunt did not know what she was talking about?
“Are you sure?”
“Do you really believe that I would be lying to you in a moment like this?”
Sophia was not sure what was real anymore or what was not.
“My dear, I really think that you are not well. You are spewing all kinds of nonsense.” Aunt Rose gently grabbed her hands. “This night has taken a turn for the chaotic, and it is best if we end it here. Sleep tonight, and we will discuss this with a fresh mind tomorrow.”
“But...” Sophia tried to protest, but she was exhausted from the long travel and the toll that her tumultuous emotions had taken on her.
“But nothing. Maria, please arrange for Sophia’s bedroom to be prepared. I shall sleep in there with you tonight as I am worried you will do something to harm yourself.”
Sophia was whisked away to her old bedroom by her aunt and her maids. Sophia kept wondering about the tea. It was a new mystery in her already confusing life.
If her aunt had not sent the tea, then who had? Was it possible that she had imagined the entire thing?
All these questions swirled in her head, but as soon as Sophia rested her head against the pillow, her exhaustion took over, and she flitted away to sleep.
Sleep was a welcome pause from a reality that Sophia so desperately wanted to escape.
CHAPTER 23
The physician came back early the next morning. As he examined the Duke, Jacob and the Dowager stood outside in the hallway with worried expressions on their faces.
“What could have possibly caused this to happen?” the Dowager asked her son, who looked like he had not slept the night before as his eyes were surrounded by heavy bags.
“I am not sure,” Jacob replied. “He should have regained consciousness by now if it had been due to fatigue, but now, I am not sure myself.”
“Oh, I pray my son gets better soon. Where is the Duchess? I am astounded to see that she is not here. She should be by her husband’s side right now as we all are.”
“Well, about that…” Jacob trailed, “I am afraid that Sophia left for her aunt’s house last night.”
The Dowager was aghast.
“Did no one try to stop her? That is a ridiculous thing to do. Duncan needs her support more than ever at this hour.”
“I would beseech you to not be so harsh on her. The incident took a great toll on her as well, and she blames herself for what has happened,” Jacob said.
“Is she to blame?” The Dowager raised an eyebrow, her protective motherly instinct jumping out instantly.
