Chapter 24 #2
He left at once and she waited in the hall while the carriage was brought round.
Deena hurriedly fastened a cloak around her and left the Windemere estate.
At the carriage, the footman waited patiently for her.
She looked around and found no sign of Austin’s return.
Her heart shattered as she entered the carriage.
“Ryan?” she called to the footman out the window.
“Yes, Your Grace?” He stopped in his tracks and turned.
“If the Duke returns, please send word to me immediately. Tell him I’ve gone to my brother’s.”
“I will, Your Grace.” Ryan bowed as the carriage took off and the estate grew smaller.
What if Austin does not return?
The ride to Greystone was short, but to Deena it felt endless.
She had no idea where Austin could be hiding, but she hoped that Dominic would help her.
London’s streets were quiet at this hour.
Gas lamps flickered, and the occasional link-boy’s torch bobbed past them.
Deena stared out the window, searching even then for a sign of Austin.
Her fingers twisted nervously in her lap.
What if he finally decided I am too much trouble, too many secrets, too many burdens, too much scandal?
The carriage rolled to a stop before Greystone’s imposing doors, jolting her out of her spiraling thoughts. A footman hurried down the steps to open the door.
“Your Grace.” He greeted her with a warm smile. “We weren’t expecting—”
“Is my brother at home?” She cut him off sharply.
“No, Your Grace. He’s out on a business errand. But Her Grace is here and the Dowager.”
Deena felt a little calmer hearing that her brother also went out for business in the evenings. But she was sure that he and Selina had not argued before he left.
Deena sighed. “I would like to see Her Grace.”
The footman nodded and accompanied her as they entered Greystone and walked up the familiar stairs and corridors she had walked a thousand times as a girl. The library door was ajar, and a lamplight spilled into the hall. Every room in Greystone reminded her of Austin, too.
Selina sat in her usual wingchair with a book open on her lap. She looked up the moment Deena appeared in the doorway.
“Dee?” She rose at once, concern etching her soft features. “What has happened?”
Deena stepped inside, signaled to the footman to leave them, and closed the door behind her. The familiar setting wrapped around her like a blanket. She turned towards her sister-in-law and felt like crumbling.
“He’s not home,” she said in a small voice.
“Who is not home?” Selina placed a hand on her shoulder and guided her towards a chair.
“Austin. We argued and…and he left. He told me not wait for him.”
Deena sat, and Selina struggled but managed to pull a chair close to her.
She placed her soft hand over Deena’s and looked at her with the kindest eyes.
Deena felt a deep sense of appreciation for her sister-in-law, who always made time for her.
She regretted not listening to them and moving sooner to London.
Perhaps all of this would have been avoided if she had.
These thoughts caused more guilt to fill her heart and mind.
“Where is my grandmother?” Deena asked, suddenly missing the dowager’s presence.
“She is in the gardens,” Selina said quietly. “Deena, did Austin not
send word?”
“No, he sent nothing. Not even a letter. He just said he would be away for the day, but the day is over, and he has not returned.”
Selina’s brows drew together. “He was here with Dominic until six. But I am not sure about after that. Perhaps they went together.”
Deena’s stomach dropped. “That was hours ago.”
Selina took both her hands. “He’s probably caught up with someone. A contact in business or an old friend. He is a careful man, Dee. He would not be reckless.”
“But what if—” She choked. “What if he’s decided he’s had enough of me?
Of the many secrets I hold and the mess I brought into his life?
What if he’s with someone else? Some woman who is uncomplicated and doesn’t come with blackmailers and ruined friends and a reputation that stains everything it touches! ”
Selina got up and pulled her into a tight hug. “He’s not, Dee. You are overthinking it.”
“How do you know, Selina?” Her voice was muffled.
“Because I know Austin and Dominic knows him even better.” Her voice was steady. “Austin does not walk away from things he cares about. And he cares about you. More than he is willing to admit even to himself. Now explain to me about what happened.”
Deena clung to her as she allowed the tears to slip free. “I pushed him away this morning. I told him he was against me. I made him believe that I regretted the marriage. I made him feel like he was nothing more than a means to an end.”
Selina gently eased away and looked into Deena’s eyes. “He is not a fool, Deena. He knows how scared you were and that you were trying to protect everyone at once.”
“But what must I do now that he left?” She was truly desperate for answers.
“Give him time. He will come home,” Selina said confidently.
“What if he doesn’t?”
“He will. I know he will.”
Deena wiped her eyes. Selina’s confidence in Austin made her hopeful, but as time ticked by, and she still did not receive word from him, another fear rose.
“What if Austin found the person who was blackmailing us? What if he is meeting with that scoundrel right now?”
Selina froze, but her gaze remained soft. “As I said, Dee. Austin is a careful man. He is also a good fighter, so you have nothing to worry about.”
Deena cursed herself for not thinking about the blackmailer and Austin’s safety first. When did she become so selfish?
She let out a soft breath of air. “I do not know what I would do without you and Dominic, truly.” She reached out for Selina’s hand and squeezed it.
“You would have gone mad without me.” Selina smiled proudly, and Deena laughed. “Dee, Austin will be all right, and it is normal to argue with your husband. You do know that, surely?”
“I know, but this marriage is already fickle as it is…I am afraid that one wrong move or word will send it spiraling into an abyss with no return.”
Deena regretted everything she had said to Austin. She reluctantly let go of Selina’s hand and stood to leave.
“Selina, I have troubled you from the time I returned.” Selina frowned but did not argue. “I will take my leave now. Thank you for always listening to me in my times of trouble. Why are you smiling?”
Selina let out a bark of laughter. “You must have gotten mad if you believe that I am going to let you leave now in the middle of the night. No, darling, you are staying here, in your old room.”
Selina spoke to her, like she did to her children when she was correcting them, and Deena could not help but smile.
“I do not want to be a burden.”
“Oh, hush! This will always be your home.”
Deena hesitated, then nodded.
“Thank you.”
“Always, Dee. Should I walk you to your chamber?” She picked up her lantern.
“That is not necessary, Selina. You have done enough.”
“Are you sure? I do not mind at all.”
Deena knew that if Selina joined her, they would not sleep at all. They could speak for an entire night, and both would regret it come morning.
“I will leave you to your reading and see myself to bed. Do not worry,” Deena assured her as she walked to the entrance and stopped there.
“Goodnight, Selina,” she said with a smile.
The weight of her worries was slightly lifted thanks to her sister-in-law.
When the time comes, when she needs me to stand with her, I will be there for her as she was for me, she promised herself.
“Goodnight.” Selina looked slightly disappointed but did not ask to join her again. “I will send some tea up for you. And Dee?”
“Yes?”
“Do not rush into any conclusions. Have some faith in your husband…Trust me on this.”
Deena nodded with a smile and left the library.
But can I truly have faith in the Velvet Duke?