“You look tired.” He patted her cheek. “You should sleep. Mrs. Palmer says sleep fixes everything.”
“Mrs. Palmer is very wise.” Sophia hugged him once more. “Will you go back to the nursery now? I promise I will come see you when I wake up.”
Oliver nodded. He allowed Mrs. Palmer to take his hand but looked back over his shoulder as they retreated down the corridor.
“Uncle Edward?” His small voice carried through the quiet hallway.
Edward stepped forward. “Yes?”
“You kept your promise.” Oliver’s face broke into a smile. “You brought her home.”
Edward’s throat tightened. “I did.”
Oliver waved, then disappeared around the corner with Mrs. Palmer. Edward watched them go, something cracking open in his chest.
A maid appeared at the end of the corridor, and Edward beckoned her forward.
“Draw a bath for the duchess.” He kept his voice low. “Warm, with the lavender salts she favors. And see that she is not disturbed for the rest of the morning. She needs to sleep.”
The maid curtsied and hurried away.
Edward turned to Sophia. She stood in the corridor, swaying with exhaustion, her eyes red-rimmed, and her dress stained with alley grime. She had never looked more beautiful to him.
“Go.” He lifted her hand and pressed a kiss to her palm. “Get some rest. I will be here when you wake.”
She searched his face, and whatever she found there made her eyes glisten with unshed tears.
“We need to talk.” Her voice emerged hoarse.
“We will.” He tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “But not now. Now you need to sleep. Everything else can wait.”
She hesitated. Then she nodded, rose on her toes, and pressed a kiss to his cheek.
“Thank you,” she whispered. “For coming for me.”
Edward watched her walk down the corridor toward her chambers, watched until she disappeared through the door, watched until the maid followed with towels and the scent of lavender.
Then he sagged against the wall and pressed his hands to his face.
He had almost lost her. Had almost let his own fear and foolishness cost him everything that mattered.
Never again.
CHAPTER 41
“Your Grace. There is an envelope for you.”
Sophia surfaced from sleep slowly, her mind swimming through layers of exhaustion. The maid stood beside the bed, a cream-colored envelope in her outstretched hand, her expression carefully neutral.
Sunlight streamed through the curtains. Late morning, then. She had slept for hours.
“Thank you.” Sophia pushed herself upright and accepted the envelope. “That will be all.”
The maid curtsied and withdrew, closing the door behind her with a soft click.
Sophia turned the envelope over in her hands. No name. No seal. Just smooth paper and the promise of secrets within.
She broke the seal and slid out the contents. A folded gossip sheet tumbled into her lap, along with a smaller piece of paper covered in familiar handwriting.
