Page 44 of Revealing a Rogue
“Please convey my apologies to Theo, and my thanks to Mary for all her assistance.” Bronwyn sighed. “And please tell him…tell Landon that I love him, but it was a mistake for us to marry. I’ll make arrangements for an annulment so he can marry a lady more befitting his needs.”
Her mother-in-law donned a motherly look and said, “You are wrong. There is no one more deserving or better suited than you, but until you believe it yourself, there is no reason for you to stay.” Engulfed in a hug, Bronwyn hugged her mother-in-law back.
She withdrew and said, “Thank you for your help.”
Dowager Hadfield shook her head and stepped back into her room. Sad eyes peered back at Bronwyn until the door click closed.
With no time to waste, Bronwyn ran to her rooms and ordered Peyton to pack a valise. It was a solid two-day journey back to London. A Network inn was close by. She’d stay the night there and travel home with the first rays of daylight on the morrow.
She hastily swiped a tear from her cheek. Landon needed a woman who was bold and brilliant like Lady Lucy. Not a wife who behaved like a peagoose in front of his closest friends despite days of etiquette lessons. Bronwyn led her maid through the secret passageways to the back door.
As ordered, the coach was readied and waiting.
The driver asked, “Where to my lady?”
With one foot on the coach steps, Bronwyn answered, “The Lone Dove.”
Chapter Twenty-One
For the tenth time since his wife left the room, Landon considered Bronwyn’s empty seat. Two courses later, he poked the langoustine drizzled in lemon garlic butter with his fork. It was a delicacy he’d hoped Bronwyn would find appetizing.
Seated next to him, Lady Grace raised a napkin to her mouth. “I heard rumors of you leaving town to marry, but I didn’t believe them until our earlier encounter. What is Countess Hadfield’s name?”
“Lady Bronwyn.” His heart sank as he considered her still vacant seat. “I had intended to make the official announcement this eve.”
The slight widening of Lady Grace’s eyes confirmed he had managed to shock the woman. A grand feat in itself, but he was of no mind to savor the moment. He needed to escape Prinny’s company and hunt down his wife.
“Congratulations.” Lady Grace returned her napkin to her lap and turned her attention back to her plate. “Where is she now?”
He had no clue. Initially, Landon had assumed Bronwyn had left to use the necessary and would return, but Theo’s nervous glances at the door had him suspicious of her prolonged absence.
“Do you need my assistance?” Lady Grace asked.
Landon wasn’t confident what action, if any, he should take. “Not at this time.” His nightly efforts to convince Bronwyn she should ignore society dictates and act as she pleased had highlighted for him some of his own hypocrisies. Last night, Bronwyn declared she’d no longer wanted to continue her lessons with his mama, Theo, and Mary. At first, he was overjoyed at the news, but when he questioned her, he discovered Bronwyn’s reasoning was due to her distaste for seeking out the help of others and not because she was confident in her abilities. Landon's chest ached with failure. He too despised asking for assistance, but if he was to act, he’d need the help of his cousin, Archbroke.
He turned to face the man who was more like a brother than merely a cousin-by-marriage. Archbroke’s features were strained. Prinny’s decision to cut his hunting trip short and join the house party to voice his disapproval of the mounting tension between the hereditary and life peers was not well received by anyone, least of all Archbroke.
Archbroke wagged an eyebrow and said, “Go. I’ll entertain our esteemed guest.”
With stealth learned from his dear cousin, Landon quietly rose and slipped away from the table.
Prinny continued to regale the company with tales of his hunting prowess. “And wouldn’t you know, the red-furred beast scurried right in front of me.” England was doomed. The man hadn’t managed to ensnare a fox twenty feet away from him.
Landon spotted the footman Theo had assigned to his wife walking toward him. When the man noticed him approaching, he swiveled away. Unlike the Prince Regent, Landon was not about to let his prey evade him.
“Stop,” Landon commanded. The footman froze.
At the sound of rustling silk behind him, Landon stiffened. Holding his breath, he peered over his shoulder, hoping to see his wife. But it wasn’t Bronwyn; it was his mama.
Landon said, “Stay where you are.”
His mama stopped in her tracks.
“Not you, mama. I was speaking to the footman.”
“But you were looking at me.”
Landon sighed. After having slept little the night prior, he had exhausted all the patience he had in reserve. “Have you seen my wife?”
