But beyond that, would she even have the courage? He was intimidating enough.
Before she could say anything further, Agnes reached forward, patting her hand.
“Give it time, Your Grace,” she advised. “A marriage is not built in a day. It is built in the quiet moments, the choices we make to understand one another, even when we are afraid of the answers.”
Rachel bit the inside of her cheek, letting Agnes’s words settle over her.
Even when we are afraid of the answers.
Fear.
Because that was what this was, was it not?
It was not just frustration or confusion. It wasfear—fear of what Simon’s distance meant. Fear that she had been foolish to think something was growing between them.
Rachel inhaled deeply, schooling her features as she rose from her seat.
“Your advice is appreciated, Agnes. Though I am unsure if I will be able to implement it.”
The housekeeper smiled, inclining her head. “You shall find your way soon enough, Your Grace.”
“I shall leave you to your work now.”
Rachel left her then, suddenly overcome with the overwhelming urge to be left alone.
Perhaps Agnes was right. It could be that the solution to her problems lay only in her asking.
She would be breaking a rule, yes. But was that so bad if it would give her clarity?
Her cheeks flushed at the memory. But even if she mustered the courage to ask, did she trulywantto hear the answer?
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
“You’re brooding, Linwood,” Rowan said as the two gentlemen sat in the former’s study. Simon had slipped away early that morning.
He sat opposite his friend, one ankle casually crossed over his knee, his fingers idly rolling the glass of whiskey between them.
Simon scoffed, “I am thinking.”
“That’s what I said,” Rowan smirked. “Do you finally have a lead? More information?”
Simon exhaled slowly. It was a difficult topic for him—even now, many years later.
“It is enough to confirm what we already suspected.”
“That the person who ordered the hit on your parents is a member of theton,” Rowan concluded.
Simon nodded. “Which means I cannot afford to let anyone know I’m still investigating.”
Simon was ten years old when he watched his parents die.Ten years old,barely enough to hold his own.
Death had a sound. He had not known it before that night. He had never forgotten it since.
Rowan hummed in thought. “That does explain why you suddenly decided to take a wife.”
Simon shot him a sharp look.
“Oh, don’t glare at me, Linwood. You were always the most reluctant of bachelors. Never any interest in securing an heir or in doing what dukesoughtto do.” He swirled his drink. “But now? You’re suddenly amarriedman. How very convenient.”
