Page 101 of The Duke's Inconvenient Bride
His eyes narrowed. Her expression was far too innocent. She was playing at something.
She drew her shoulders back. “There is no reason for me to stay at Ashford Hall if you are not here.”
“It’s your home.” He didn’t like where this was going.
“I am going to accompany the Mayhews to their estate,” she said.
“But you might be pregnant,” he protested.
“And I might not be,” she said. “I have already discussed this with them, and we will travel slowly, taking plenty of time for rest. There is no reason to worry.”
There was every damned reason to worry. His wife was trying to leave him.It hurt more than he would have expected. Was this how she felt every time he rebuffed her? If so, he felt like even more of a cad.
“What about when you return?” he asked. “You expect me to believe you will be safe on your own?”
“Daisy is coming with me, and we will take a footman if need be.”
She had an answer for everything, and the stubborn tilt of her chin told him that nothing he said would move her.
His heart sank.
CHAPTER 24
Norfolk,
January, 1820
Emma felt hollowas she closed the last of her bags and handed it to the waiting footman. She’d emerged from her confrontation with Vaughan as the victor, but she didn’t feel like she’d won anything.
She’d hoped that Ashford Hall might become her home, and maybe it still would, but at the moment, it felt very final, as if she were shutting a door behind herself. Her mood was so melancholy, she’d even been tempted to wear lavender—a color of mourning—but had decided that would be overly dramatic.
Instead, she’d opted for a simple dress that would be comfortable while traveling, and she’d packed several books into a valise she intended to take with her in the carriage.
The footman carried her bag away, leaving Emma with nothing more to do than bid farewell to her husband.
Her throat prickled as she made her way to his office. He sat behind his desk, staring blankly into space. If she didn’t know better, she’d think him sad to see the back of her.
“I’m leaving now,” she said.
He blinked, seeming to come back to himself. “Won’t you reconsider?”
“I’m afraid not.” If she did, she’d only end up aching inside when he left.
A brief flicker of emotion passed across his face. It could have been pain, but it disappeared so quickly she couldn’t be sure.
“Then let me walk you out,” he said.
He came around from behind the desk and took hold of her elbow. Emma’s breath caught, and she hoped he hadn’t noticed. His warmth radiated between them, giving her the impression that her body was pressed alongside his even when there was a respectable space between them.
She breathed in and out, willing herself not to get emotional or melt into a puddle as she tended to do when he was close. If she weakened, she might throw herself into his arms and beg him to take her with him instead. That could not be allowed. She had her dignity.
Mrs. Travers opened the front door and held it for them. Emma said goodbye as she walked past the housekeeper. She knew that the hall would be in capable hands with Mrs. Travers in residence.
Vaughan walked her to the carriage. Violet, Mr. Mayhew, and Daisy were already seated inside.
“Please travel safely,” he said, helping her onto the step.
“I will.”
