Chapter Sixteen
Ellie peeled hereyelids open the best she could. They felt like dead weights. Exhaustion from crying and worrying about the situation between her and Vincent—and Adam—had finally taken its toll and put her to sleep.
Her drapes were drawn, and a tray of food sat on her small table. Wearily, she pulled herself out of bed and walked to the food. She nibbled on the dry bread and salty cheese, and plopped two grapes in her mouth, but that was all she could eat.
She wandered to the window, pushed back the drapes ever so slightly, and peeked outside. The sun was setting on the horizon.I’ve been asleep all day?Perhaps it was best. She was tired of crying…tired of wanting her life to change. She was exhausted with trying to reach for something she would never have. Fate hadn’t been very kind to her, and she didn’t know why.
Ellie hurried to the water basin and splashed her face. She was sure her eyes were still puffy and red, but she needed to talk to her father. He would know what to do. She hoped.
She threw on her dressing gown and pushed her bare feet into slippers before leaving her room. As she moved down the stairs, she listened for voices. Augusta’s voice came from the drawing room. Knowing her stepmother, she probably had some visitors, which usually meant that the duke was in his study with a bottle of brandy and a cigar.
Bypassing the drawing room so that no guests would see her in her night clothes, Ellie scooted down the next corridor. As she neared the study, her father’s cigar scent lingered in the hall. She couldn’t detect voices, so he was probably alone. Lately, Dominic hadn’t been staying home much. Ellie suspected he might be trying to find a woman to marry, since their father was hounding him, as well.
She stopped in front of the door. Staring at the hardwood, she breathed deeply, trying to gain courage. Would her father help her? Since Ellie’s mother died, he’d not been the same man. He’d been distant, and she wanted the other father back in her life—the one who took the time to listen to her problems or her heartaches.
Would he ever become that father again?
She knocked softly.
“Enter.” His deep voice rang from the room.
She turned the doorknob and walked inside. The cigar scent was stronger in the air, almost overbearing. She waved a hand in front of her face. “Goodness, Father. How can you breathe in this stuffy room?”
“Forgive me. I didn’t think I was going to have company.” He motioned to the window. “Open the window and let in some fresh air.”
Needing to breathe, she quickly did as he requested. When the evening’s cool air caressed her face, she closed her eyes and inhaled the fresh scent.
“Why are you in your night clothes?” he asked.
Ellie turned toward him, but leaned back against the wall nearest to the window. “I’ve actually not changed my clothes since last evening. I’ve been in my room all day. Have you not noticed?”
“No. Forgive me, my dear. I fear I haven’t been very attentive of late.”
Her heart twisted from the forlorn hum gripping her father’s voice. The duke stared at his empty glass, wearing a frown.
“Father…” She sighed and moved to his side, patting his shoulder. “What is amiss? Will you please talk to me like you used to?”
He lifted his troubled gaze to her and nodded. “I try to be strong, especially in front of my children, but deep inside”—he placed a hand on his chest—“I cannot stop wishing your mother was still alive.”
Ellie smiled as tears collected in her eyes again. “I wish that all the time. But I know she is in heaven, and she is my guardian angel. You must believe that, too. It’s the only thing that helps me deal with the pain of losing a parent.” She bent and kissed her father’s cheek. “But I don’t want to lose another one.”
“No, my dear. You won’t lose me.” He cupped her cheek.
“But Father, I already have. You don’t talk to me like you used to. And I’m quite certain you are just as distant with Dominic.”
His eyes grew moist with emotion. “Yes, I have become rather distant, haven’t I?”
She grasped both of his hands and squeezed. “Then we shall deal with our loss together, and we shall overcome.”
“What would I do without you?” He smiled weakly.
“I hope you never have to know that answer.” She bent and kissed his cheek again before straightening. “Father, I need to talk to you now, if you don’t mind. Something has happened, and I need your advice. I need to know how to handle this unexpected problem.”
Nodding, he cleared his throat and sat up straight in his chair. “I shall try my best to help.”
She moved to the nearest chair and sat, wringing her hands in her lap. “Father, last night I had a visitor—”
“Last night? Before or after the party?”
