“Jacob…” Duncan’s tone was serious now, bordering on threatening. “Is that really the reason?”
Jacob avoided eye contact with his brother.
“Swear on our mother’s life if that is truly the reason,” Duncan demanded.
“I cannot do that.”
“You cannot do that because what you are saying to me is utterly false,” the Duke concluded. “I cannot understand what reason you would lie about this, but it is causing me nothing but distress. I shall go speak to her immediately. Tell the valet to prepare the carriage.”
“I am lying to you,” Jacob sighed in resignation, “but only because I thought that it would stop you from going after her and give you time to recover which you so desperately need.”
“Jacob, I am not in the mood for these games,” Duncan warned.
“It was her idea for me to tell you this as she knew that you would try and go visit her. The real reason why she left so abruptly was…” Jacob struggled with his words. “…she believes that she transferred her curse onto you.”
Duncan was filled with rage at once.
“The curse? I cannot believe that we are still having these conversations. How could you let her leave for a reason as stupid as that?”
“It was out of my control. I tried to stop her, but she would not listen to me.”
“But you have just told me that I was poisoned. Was Sophia not aware of that?”
“Unfortunately, she left before the physician diagnosed your condition. I had been meaning to write to her today, informing her about the real reason,” Jacob muttered.
“Then you did not write to her quickly enough. She must be shouldering all the blame now.” The Duke’s words came out harsher than he had intended them to.
“Brother, I sympathize with you, but you cannot fault me. I have had to deal with the police, and I have been worried about you,” Jacob replied in his defense.
“You are right. I should not be so angry at you,” Duncan sighed. His head was all over the place as so much had happened in such a brief period of time.
“Listen to my advice for now, and let me handle things. I will make sure that Sophia returns as soon as possible. You are still too weak to travel.”
“Are you suggesting that I just sit here and do nothing??
“That is exactly what I am suggesting to you,” Jacob stated. “I know that as the older brother, you are not accustomed to listening to what I say, but just this once, I request you to do so.”
Jacob had asked him in such a sincere manner that Duncan did not have it in his heart to refuse him outright.
“I will listen to you just this once,” he sighed, “but you must write to Sophia immediately letting her know that I am awake now.”
“I will do so.” Jacob patted Duncan lightly on his shoulder. “Rest well now. I shall let mother know as well. She has been worried sick about you.”
Duncan watched as his brother exited the room. Even though he knew that Jacob was right, he still could not shake the restlessness away.
He decided to test his strength and get out of the bed. It took him a few tries, but eventually, Duncan was back up on his feet.
Thoughts of Sophia, the recent attempt on his life, and the pressing need for answers whirled through his mind. All he wanted was for Sophia to be by his side. It troubled him greatly that she was out there, thinking that she was to blame for something she had no part in.
He began pacing his room in a restless manner, trying to burn away some of the restless energy that consumed him. As he continued his restless strides, his eyes fell upon a small black notebook on the table. It seemed out of place, catching his attention.
It definitely did not belong to him.
Deciding that it would be a welcome distraction to his otherwise restless mind, he picked it up and began flitting through its pages.
PROPERTY OF SOPHIA WHITE.
His heart skipped a beat as he read her name, and his curiosity got the best of him. As he began to read, he realized that the entries all described the same thing.
