Page 78 of The Dark Duke's Virgin

“And I would ask that you leave her be until she feels up to leaving her room. I do not want you coming down with an illness also. Is that understood?” He raised an eyebrow at her, making sure that she saw the look he was giving.

She pushed her lips together in argument, looked toward the ceiling as if she could see through it and into Caroline’s room, but then relented and sat back down. “All right. I suppose it is for the best.”

“Ill, you say?” his grandmother pressed on him casually. “That is most strange.”

“And why is that?”

“I saw her just a few hours ago, and she seemed fine to me.”

“Well, she is not.”

“Me too,” Isabella added, again looking to the ceiling. “I was with her all day, and she did not say anything.”

Frederick bristled, keeping calm because that was what was needed at the moment. “I do not know what to tell you. I saw her myself, and believe me, she is not in a state to join us for supper.”

A moment passed between Frederick and his grandmother and Isabella. His grandmother eyed him curiously. Isabella still looked worried as she cast her gaze upward. Frederick had hoped to at least make it through tonight before he was forced to deal with the consequences of all that had transpired this evening, and he readied himself to snap and command that the subject be dropped if it came to that.

“I will see her tomorrow then,” Isabella sighed as she settled back in and picked up her knife and fork. “I do hope she is all right.”

“As do I…” Frederick could feel his grandmother eyeing him, a sense that she wasn’t buying what he was selling.

“Let us discuss something else,” Frederick said, clearing his throat with another mouthful of wine. “Your new governess, Isabella. She is set to arrive in two days, and I expect you to treat her with the same kindness you showed Miss Dun – Dowding,” he hurried to correct, grimacing silently to himself for making the error.

Luckily, his daughter did not notice. “She best be nice to me,” Isabella pouted. “But I promise I will do my best.”

Again, Frederick could feel his grandmother eyeing him, and again, he ignored it. Another forkful of lamb, more wine, andhe went about discussing the newly hired governess with his daughter and what was expected.

Of course, his mind was barely present in the conversation, and he was glad that Isabella was so dour so as to not be too argumentative. She accepted the fact that a new governess had been hired, knowing there was little she could do about it, resolved to at least do her best for her father’s sake.

And as they spoke, Frederick’s mind continued to drift to the most obvious of places, thoughts which made him feel sick to his core, queasy and as ill as Isabella thought Miss Dunn to be—that was how he was choosing to think of her now, forcing that name whenever she came to mind so as to not forget…

He still could not believe what had happened. And if Miss Dunn had not confirmed it for herself, he might have refused entirely. He did not want to believe it. The pain and heartache that swept through him even right now was more than he could bear. Strength was forced to the fore, a desire to look as if he was fine in front of his daughter, knowing that later tonight when he was alone, the suffering would come.

How could she do this to him? That was what troubled him most. To lie like that. To use him—to use his family! Again, she had confirmed it as a truth, so there could be no debate, yet… something just didn’t feel right about it all. It was as if something was missing, yet Frederick could not see what.

Although, and this was the reality that he assumed most likely, Frederick was simply hoping that there was more to it, an excusethat he could get behind, a reason for what she did to explain it all, allowing him to forgive her because to hate the woman who he had started falling for was a tragedy unlike any he had ever known.

“Father…” It was Isabella, speaking softly.

“Hhmm?” Frederick gave his head a shake and looked at his daughter, who was watching him curiously. “Yes, dear?”

She tilted her head, clearly sensing something was wrong. “May I be excused?” She indicated her empty plate.

“Oh.” He blinked, for in his own head he had not even realized how long they had been eating. “Of course,” he said with a forced smile. “And thank you for asking.”

Isabella nodded once and rose from the table to leave.

“And leave Miss Dowding alone,” Frederick made sure to call after her as she hurried from the room. “I mean it, Isabella!”

She did not respond which had Frederick wondering if he should go after her… although doing so would only raise suspicion. Tomorrow, he would be forced to sit his daughter down and tell her the truth, a task he was not looking forward to one little bit. He would need strength for it. Command. He would need to have moved on himself, something which he hoped tonight would see done.

“So…” His grandmother sat forward, folding her hands on the table. “Are you going to tell me the truth now that Isabella is gone?”

“The truth?” Frederick pretended to look confused. “And what truth is that?”

“What has really happened to Caroline—and before you lie to me,” she hurried when she saw Frederick open his mouth to object, “please do not insult me or my intelligence. I may be old, but I am no fool, Frederick.” She looked right at him, fixing him in her no-nonsense gaze. “She is gone, isn’t she?”

No point in lying, Frederick realized. What was more, for how he was feeling, how confused and rotten, what he needed more than anything was someone to talk to. A chance to confirm he had made the right decision, as if that would somehow make him feel better.

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