Deena sighed. “I would like to see Her Grace.”
The footman nodded and accompanied her as they entered Greystone and walked up the familiar stairs and corridors she had walked a thousand times as a girl. The library door was ajar,and a lamplight spilled into the hall. Every room in Greystone reminded her of Austin, too.
Selina sat in her usual wingchair with a book open on her lap. She looked up the moment Deena appeared in the doorway.
“Dee?” She rose at once, concern etching her soft features. “What has happened?”
Deena stepped inside, signaled to the footman to leave them, and closed the door behind her. The familiar setting wrapped around her like a blanket. She turned towards her sister-in-law and felt like crumbling.
“He’s not home,” she said in a small voice.
“Who is not home?” Selina placed a hand on her shoulder and guided her towards a chair.
“Austin. We argued and…and he left. He told me not wait for him.”
Deena sat, and Selina struggled but managed to pull a chair close to her. She placed her soft hand over Deena’s and looked at her with the kindest eyes. Deena felt a deep sense of appreciation for her sister-in-law, who always made time for her. She regretted not listening to them and moving sooner to London. Perhaps all of this would have been avoided if she had. These thoughts caused more guilt to fill her heart and mind.
“Where is my grandmother?” Deena asked, suddenly missing the dowager’s presence.
“She is in the gardens,” Selina said quietly. “Deena, did Austin not
send word?”
“No, he sent nothing. Not even a letter. He just said he would be away for the day, but the day is over, and he has not returned.”
Selina’s brows drew together. “He was here with Dominic until six. But I am not sure about after that. Perhaps they went together.”
Deena’s stomach dropped. “That was hours ago.”
Selina took both her hands. “He’s probably caught up with someone. A contact in business or an old friend. He is a careful man, Dee. He would not be reckless.”
“But what if—” She choked. “What if he’s decided he’s had enough of me? Of the many secrets I hold and the mess I brought into his life? What if he’s with someone else? Some woman who is uncomplicated and doesn’t come with blackmailers and ruined friends and a reputation that stains everything it touches!”
Selina got up and pulled her into a tight hug. “He’s not, Dee. You are overthinking it.”
“How do you know, Selina?” Her voice was muffled.
“Because I know Austin and Dominic knows him even better.” Her voice was steady. “Austin does not walk away from things he cares about. And he cares about you. More than he is willing to admit even to himself. Now explain to me about what happened.”
Deena clung to her as she allowed the tears to slip free. “I pushed him away this morning. I told him he was against me. I made him believe that I regretted the marriage. I made him feel like he was nothing more than a means to an end.”
Selina gently eased away and looked into Deena’s eyes. “He is not a fool, Deena. He knows how scared you were and that you were trying to protect everyone at once.”
“But what must I do now that he left?” She was truly desperate for answers.
“Give him time. He will come home,” Selina said confidently.
“What if he doesn’t?”
“He will. I know he will.”
Deena wiped her eyes. Selina’s confidence in Austin made her hopeful, but as time ticked by, and she still did not receive word from him, another fear rose.
“What if Austin found the person who was blackmailing us? What if he is meeting with that scoundrel right now?”
Selina froze, but her gaze remained soft. “As I said, Dee. Austin is a careful man. He is also a good fighter, so you have nothing to worry about.”
Deena cursed herself for not thinking about the blackmailer and Austin’s safety first. When did she become so selfish?
