Page 32 of His Runaway Duchess

“Not much. But there was a good deal of talk about her death,andthe Duke.”

A cold shiver rolled down Daphne’s spine. “They don’t think that he?—”

“No, no,” Emily interrupted hastily. “Nothing that the Duke did. She died in childbirth, but there was talk about the Duke’s mother, who died in the same way.”

“Could be bad luck.”

“It could. Curses aren’t real, after all.”

Emily crossed the room and sat on the edge of the bed beside her sister. For a long moment, they sat together in silence.

“This is my fault,” Emily said, at last. “If I’d just gone through with it?—”

“No, Emmie,” Daphne interrupted firmly. “I won’t have you blaming yourself. None of this is your fault. If anything, it’s mine, for riding off into the woods instead of doing the sensible thing and going home.” She paused, glancing sideways at her sister. “But I’m worried aboutyou, Emily.”

“Me?”

“Yes, you. What’s going to happen to you now? With… with the Duke of Clapton. He hasn’t exposed you, has he?”

Emily got up abruptly, moving over to the window. “Don’t worry about that, Daff.”

“Oh, Iwillworry about it,” Daphne shot back, hurrying over to stand beside her. “Is he still going to force you to marry him? Emily!”

Emily sighed. “It’s all taken care of, Daphne.”

Daphne hadn’t been expecting that. She blinked, taken aback. “What, all sorted?”

Her sister shrugged. “I spoke with him. Properly, face to face. No more letters. It’s taken care of, and I don’t want you to worry anymore.”

Daphne stared at her sister for a long moment. “Just like that?”

“Just like that.”

She sighed. “There’s something you aren’t telling me, Emily. Out with it.”

Emily moved over to the bed again, leaving Daphne to trail behind. She began unpacking, carefully smoothing out and folding her things.

“We’ll talk about it later,” she said, her gaze fixed on her clothes. “Later, when all of this is sorted out. Whenyouare safe and happy.”

Daphne stared, baffled. Never,neverhad her sister kept a secret from her. They’d always shared everything, every scrap of gossip, every piece of information. Daphne had neverconsideredhiding a thing from her sister.

Well, that’s not quite true, is it?said a snide voice at the back of her head.You didn’t tell her how the Duke of Thornbridge made you feel.

Daphne cleared her throat, realizing that Emily was not going to talk about it anymore. Could something terrible have happened between her and the Duke of Clapton?

No, if it was something terrible, Emily would have told her. Wouldn’t she?

“With two sisters as duchesses,youshould be safe now, Emily,” Daphne heard herself saying. “I can have fencing lessons like I’ve always wanted, and if the Duke bothers you, I’ll challenge him to a duel.”

Emily chuckled. “Do you know, I believe you would? But please, Daff, don’t worry about me. Things were dealt with. I just wish… well, I just wish it could have been managed before all ofthisoccurred. You are suffering because of me, and I can’t bear it.”

“I’m not suffering,” Daphne admitted. “The Duke will leave me alone, and I won’t be having any children, which is a relief.”

Emily shot her a sharp look. “So long as you’re happy, Daff.”

Daphne shrugged. “I’m quite all right, I promise.”

There was a moment of awkward silence, and Daphne felt a stab of misery. When had she ever feltawkwardaround her twin before? What was happening?

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