Deena sighed and dismissed the footman.
Business.
The word troubled her.
She had spent the day in a haze of forced activity: reading in the library until the words blurred, pacing the long gallery until her feet ached, staring out the window at the darkening square as though she could will a familiar tall figure to appear on the pavement below. Every time the front knocker sounded herheart leapt; every time it was only a messenger with parcels or a tradesman’s bill, it sank again.
Now the clock showed half-past eight and since their wedding night, Austin never stayed out this late without sending word to her.
Deena pressed her palms to her eyes. The memories of last night played behind her lids. She had woken in his arms feeling close to peace. And then she had opened her mouth and ruined it.
Damn me!
She had regretted their argument, but it was too late. He was gone.
Is he with another woman like I predicted? Is she giving him what I could not? Or did he simply leave me?
She stood abruptly; her heart thudded with fear. Deena was not sure why it mattered if he left her, but I did.
She decided then and there that she could not stay here another hour imagining the worst. She crossed to the bellpull and tugged it sharply.
Ryan appeared within moments, expression carefully neutral.
“Your Grace?”
“Prepare me a carriage,” she said.
“At this time, Your Grace?” He looked at her with concern.
“Yes, I want to see my brother at Greystone estate.” She left no room for questions.
Ryan hesitated only for a second. “Yes, Your Grace.”
He left at once and she waited in the hall while the carriage was brought round. Deena hurriedly fastened a cloak around her and left the Windemere estate. At the carriage, the footman waited patiently for her. She looked around and found no sign of Austin’s return. Her heart shattered as she entered the carriage.
“Ryan?” she called to the footman out the window.
“Yes, Your Grace?” He stopped in his tracks and turned.
“If the Duke returns, please send word to me immediately. Tell him I’ve gone to my brother’s.”
“I will, Your Grace.” Ryan bowed as the carriage took off and the estate grew smaller.
What if Austin does not return?
The ride to Greystone was short, but to Deena it felt endless. She had no idea where Austin could be hiding, but she hopedthat Dominic would help her. London’s streets were quiet at this hour. Gas lamps flickered, and the occasional link-boy’s torch bobbed past them. Deena stared out the window, searching even then for a sign of Austin. Her fingers twisted nervously in her lap.
What if he finally decided I am too much trouble, too many secrets, too many burdens, too much scandal?
The carriage rolled to a stop before Greystone’s imposing doors, jolting her out of her spiraling thoughts. A footman hurried down the steps to open the door.
“Your Grace.” He greeted her with a warm smile. “We weren’t expecting?—”
“Is my brother at home?” She cut him off sharply.
“No, Your Grace. He’s out on a business errand. But Her Grace is here and the Dowager.”
Deena felt a little calmer hearing that her brother also went out for business in the evenings. But she was sure that he and Selina had not argued before he left.
