Chapter 30
Sebastian had no choice but to request the banking deposit to be sent before sunrise. He spent less than an hour in Dernshire’s nearest study, writing out directions for his steward for the first half of the requested sum.
Though he didn’t spill any ink on his fingers, Sebastian couldn’t have felt any filthier than he did in this moment.
His shoulders nearly shook with rage over what had happened. He couldn’t get the moment out of his head. It couldn’t have lasted for more than a breath. But he had lost Isabel so swiftly, before he even understood what was happening.
Did I even ever have a chance with her?
How many squandered opportunities had he wasted, Sebastian wondered, telling himself it was best to keep her at a distance.
It had been for the best. That was the intention.
That was what he told everyone, that it was safer no one knew every part of him.
He hardly knew himself so why should anyone else? To let Isabel learn all of who he was…
Now, he would never have chance to know otherwise.
“Is my carriage here?” He asked the servant stationed at the side door, sharing a short description of his conveyance.
“I beg your pardon, Your Grace, but it left a short while ago.”
Nodding slowly, Sebastian gazed out into the night. “Very good. Thank you.”
“Shall I call a hansom?”
“No, I think I shall walk this evening.” He started to descend the stairs, heavy and steady footsteps to avoid slipping in the snow and slush.
Alarm sounded in the servant’s voice. “Your Grace? It’s awfully dark. Are you certain I can’t call you…?”
Waving a hand, Sebastian told him, “I’ve been much colder before.” And then he moved on so no one could stop him. After winding his way through a few parked carriages for other guests that evening, he was able to reach the main street and started slowly for home.
He didn’t imagine it being more than a league away. Probably less. It didn’t matter. The skies were clear, and the air was crisp. He wouldn’t freeze, but he would be cold. And perhaps this evening chill would help him think a little more clearly.
Then he stopped in the middle of the road as he glanced around at the familiar road. How many times had he wandered through a cold night like this, looking for an odd coin or leftover food he could scrounge for?
That was usually what Sebastian thought of during these long walks.
But tonight was different. He remembered the night he met her.
“My lady? Are you well?” That was the first thing he could actually say to Isabel while removing the ghastly fellow who dared encroach upon her. He had listened to her screams and shouting, he had watched her fight bravely, and then he had carried her home when it was all over.
Her maid had hovered most of the time. “I don’t know who you are,” he recalled her saying. “But I am very glad of your assistance to protect my mistress.”
Through a few circular questions, Sebastian had hedged through the topic to gather the understanding that the young lady in yellow had fallen upon hard times. So he had done what he could. And when the day broke so the newspapers went out, he was already prepared should the expected problems arise.
I was almost glad of it. Glad to take her in hand, to be there for her. I always promised I would protect her… Now what have I done?
He could beg and steal and fight for food and money. But when it came to people, Sebastian feared he didn’t know how to keep them. It was too easy for them to turn their back on him.
It was a slow walk back to the town house. By the time Sebastian arrived, he was soaked to the bone from the damp evening. He couldn’t feel his toes any longer. With a key in his pocket, he unlocked the front door and slowly pulled off the shoes and coat and hat in the darkness.
A flicker of light from the corner revealed a servant, his valet. Young Tony came striding forward without his usual frown.
Sebastian sighed. “The duchess?”
“She has taken her leave. The carriage and fresh horses. Should we search after her?” Tony asked. “What did you do?”
All the servants must have gone back to bed. That, or they were hiding. Only Tony and his fast tongue would be ready to tell him this dreadful news. It wasn’t a surprise for Sebastian. Still, it stung terribly.
The house was empty all over again.
Sighing, he shook his head. “It doesn’t matter. Let’s get ourselves to bed.”
“I have a bath prepared for you. It won’t be roasting hot, but it will clean you up and ensure not a toe is frozen.
” Tony led the way up the stairs. His wiry build kept him light on his feet as they moved about.
“Suppose you’ll be wanting to know about the brother.
He was all over the place, telling us what to do. ”
Sebastian huffed. “Did everyone listen?”
“Not really,” his valet added. The flame on his candle flickered to reveal a partial smile before he turned back to the hall as they reached it. “He requested a few items to travel with them. We moved them but didn’t put everything in the carriage. Just food and some blankets to keep them warm.”
“What of Amber?”
Tony hesitated. “She’s gone with them.”
Every part of her was disappearing so quickly. Swallowing hard, Sebastian managed to nod his thanks to Tony for the bath. He didn’t linger long. Just enough to rub clean and then rub dry every part of his body. Once dressed and wrapped in his dressing gown, he went to peek inside Isabel’s room.
It still smelled like her. He moved through the room slowly, looking for any intimate touches Isabel might have applied in the short time she was here.
Eventually, he took a seat on the chair beside the bed where there a robe draped over it.
A single spot was covered in cat fur. But the collar smelled like her floral perfume.
That night, Sebastian slept right there.
Two nights followed there as well until the scent began to waver and his back couldn’t take it anymore. Listless days passed him by as he tried to think his way through a heavy murkiness that made Sebastian want to give up on everything.
“Again?” Tony groaned the next morning. “Truly, Your Grace, you cannot keep at this. I’m awfully bored of you now. Can’t you at least take yourself down for breakfast? And have a bath?”
“I just had one.”
His valet grimaced. “That was two days ago.”
With a huff, Sebastian grudgingly accepted another bath. He even shaved afterwards and dressed.
But his heart still felt broken and now the rest of his body ached. He forced himself to work through a few stretches before forcing himself to the dining room to stomach something to eat when Tony refused to bring him a tray.
“There you are!”
Sebastian stopped, not having expected company. He stalled as he knew he had to look awful. “What are you doing here, Ronan?”
Fortunately, the man didn’t mention his appearance.
As he tried to put his thoughts together, he followed his friend’s invitation to take a seat. Meanwhile, Ronan moved to stand. There were two plates before him with only crumbs left over, clearly showing he had been enjoying himself. There was also a thick, folded paper in his hands.
“The others elected myself to take the lead, I’m afraid. Something about not worrying about women, I don’t know.” Ronan sighed and dumped the paper down. “It’s too vague there but the rest of last night said enough.”
“Said enough what? You know I have little patience for the riddles of the Ton,” Sebastian reminded him.
Ronan wrinkled his nose. “You’re sour this morning. Perhaps you already heard?” Sebastian said nothing but stared at him. “Very well. It’s about your brother-in-law.”
“I don’t care,” he said at once.
“Are you certain? The man is certain to have his head blasted off.”
Caught off guard by that pronouncement, Sebastian asked, “What the devil do you mean?”
“The man is playing dangerous with another man’s mistress. You must know that never goes well. The Duke of York’s mistress, at that. It’s like he cannot keep his hands off that which the royal family has taken,” Ronan added with a roll of his eyes.
Sebastian processed this slowly before shaking his head. “I don’t care. The Duke of York can do as he likes. It matters not to me.”
It would upset Isabel, though. I wouldn’t want that. Would it be worth it to protect him? But after all that happened last night...
“I wouldn’t be so sure.” Ronan opened the paper and revealed a particularly crude political drawing of two men fighting over a woman. A woman with light hair and big curvy lips that almost looked familiar.
He snatched up the paper and reviewed the page. Scanning it for any sign of a name, he finally tossed it down to stare hard at Ronan. “What is the name?”
“The name?”
“Her name.” Sebastian swallowed hard. There was something hard and sharp in his throat. He wanted to yank it out and hold tight. Especially if the suspicion growing in his mind in that very moment might turn out to be correct. “What is the name of the mistress?”
After staring at him a moment, Ronan gave a slight disbelieving shake of his head.
“I thought you still read the gossip rags at last. She’s been all the rage lately, hosting scandalous parties for all sorts of folks these days.
It’s like she wants everyone to know who she is. Her name is Annabelle von Lacey.”
Cursing loudly, Sebastian stood and slammed his hands on the table. The loud noise shuddered through the room. His friend visibly braced himself before hastily grabbing his tea cup to keep it up right.
“What is going on with you?” Ronan asked.
“It was all a trick.”
“What was? The mistress? I don’t understand. I mean, I wouldn’t be surprised if she has a few tricks up her sleeve…”
“A trap,” he snarled.
How could I have been so blind? I was so ready to believe everything in the moment. I know better than to panic. But I was such a fool. I didn’t give her another thought, I didn’t…
“Sebastian?” asked Ronan warily.
Stepping into the hall, Sebastian hollered for the horses to be readied. Then he stomped back into the dining room to explain everything to Ronan. In a rush, he explained through his rage just what had taken place with Annabelle and Thomas.
Ronan’s eyes grew wider and wider. “How much did you pay him?”
“Half,” Sebastian grimaced. It was difficult to accept what a fool he had been. But it was over, he told himself. They had to move on. He stopped paced for a moment and added, “I’d gladly pay the other half if I can remove him from our lives forever.”
“There are a few ways to do that,” his friend offered before raising a hand and a pointed look. “But you’ll want to be prepared.”
Shaking his head, Sebastian told him, “I have waited long enough. I should have stopped him from ever intervening in our lives. But I won’t let him hurt her. He won’t get away with this.”
I made a promise to Isabel, and by God, I shall keep it no matter what happens next.