The carriage stopped and her servants rushed forward, helping her down.She moved toward the door with Callum at her heels.In that moment, she realized that it was entirely obvious where she had been during her time away, and what she’d been doing.Heat filled her cheeks and she shook her head as she reached Higgins.
“Welcome home, Your Grace,” he said kindly, not a hint of judgment in his dark eyes.“And Your Grace.”He acknowledged Callum with a slight nod.
“Thank you, Higgins,” Valaria said, lifting her chin with as much pride as she could manage.“I assume there are a great many messages and things to discuss.”
“Yes, Your Grace,” he agreed, and began to take gloves and hats, handing them to a footman who was standing by.“Mr.Stout came by to discuss the painting of the parlor.They will begin Tuesday next, as long as that is agreeable to you.”
Valaria blinked.She’d all but forgotten her desire to renovate that room.“Of course,” she said with a quick glance toward Callum.“If we host friends during that time, we can easily use the terrace room.It gets lovely sunlight in the afternoon around teatime.”
“Quite, Your Grace,” Higgins said.“I’ll send him the confirmation this afternoon and let you know if there are any other issues to resolve.You also received several letters, which I’ll bring to you momentarily.”
“Thank you, Higgins,” Valaria said.“I assume the parlor for our little gathering of friends?”
“Yes, Your Grace.Tea has already been laid out.”
“Very good.”Valaria glanced over her shoulder to see that Theo’s carriage was beginning to turn onto the drive.“It looks as though our friends are arriving.His Grace and I will move to the parlor so you may announce them.”
“Yes, Your Grace.”Higgins nodded.
Valaria turned to say something to Callum and found that he was watching her, a little smile turning up his lips and his arm outstretched in offering to her.
“May I?”he asked.
She nodded and slid her hand into the crook of his elbow.A little shock of awareness worked through her at the touch.Amazing how he could still do that despite the fact that an hour ago she had been writhing above him, lost in pure pleasure.But there didn’t seem to be enough of this man.
“Our rush is my fault,” he said softly as they entered the room.“I distracted you from returning sooner.”
She released him and smiled up at him.“I don’t think you heard me complaining.”
“Keening,” he teased.“But not complaining.”
She sighed.“And now we are gone from that fantasyland.Back to reality.”
“But reality does not have to be so bad, does it?”he asked.
She worried her lip.Let him say that later today, after she’d confessed her darkest secrets.She shrugged.“It depends on the reality, I suppose.”
Before he could respond, Higgins led Theo to them.“His Grace, the Duke of Lightmorrow.”As Theo entered the room, Higgins followed.“And the correspondence, Your Grace.”
He handed over a small stack of missives, which Valaria took as Theo greeted Callum.Once Higgins had gone, she smiled at the other duke.“Forgive me, Theo, I only just arrived home.”
He smiled.“Sort away, Your Grace.I am perfectly capable of pouring not only my own tea, but his.And yours.”He glanced toward the door.“I assume the other two ladies will join us shortly?”
“They should be here momentarily,” Valaria confirmed as she started flipping through the notes.There was one from a distant aunt, a note from Bernadette, something from the Duchess of Amberleigh that likely could not be ignored for too long.
As she was sliding the next note in the stack to the top of the pile, Higgins reappeared with Bernadette and Flora on his heels.Valaria turned toward them, moving to press a kiss to first Bernadette’s cheek, then Flora’s.When the ladies stepped away toward the gentlemen and the room became a happy, loud place of greeting and jokes, some of the letters in Valaria’s hands slipped to the floor.
She laughed as she gathered them up and then paused.Here was one she hadn’t seen yet, written in a difficult to read hand with no return address above the direction to her home.
Her heart began to throb with a sense of dread and anticipation as she glanced at her friends.They were still talking.Slowly, she broke the wax seal, which was plain and in no way identifiable.
I know what you did to your husband.How much are you willing to pay to ensure no one else finds out?
She stared at the words.So few and yet so powerful and her hands began to shake.Nausea roared up in her, along with tears that flooded her eyes.
“Valaria, what is it?”
She started and found that Callum was moving toward her, his face lined with concern.She shook her head, shoving the letter down to her side.The room had gone quiet now, everyone was looking at her.
