Page 13 of His Scarred Duchess
Daniel’s jovial expression faltered for a moment before he let out a bark of laughter. “Good God, man! Since when did you become such a stickler for propriety? The Edmund I knew would have applauded my daring, not lectured me like some fusty old dowager.”
Edmund’s jaw tightened.
Since war and the burdens of a dukedom forced change upon me, he thought bitterly.
Aloud, he said, “Things change, Daniel. We’re not carefree young bucks anymore. Our actions have consequences, not just for ourselves but for others as well.”
“Well, well,” Daniel mused, eyeing his friend speculatively. “It seems the Duke of Holbrook has developed a conscience. Or perhaps…” A sly grin spread across his face. “Perhaps it’s not my young lady you’re concerned about at all, but her sister?”
Edmund stiffened. “I don’t know what you mean.”
“Oh, come now, Edmund. I saw the way you looked at her. I haven’t seen you that intrigued by a woman since… well, since before Joanna.”
The name sent a familiar pang through Edmund’s chest, but to his surprise, it was duller than usual. Instead, his mind filled with the image of flashing green eyes and a quick, sardonic smile.
“That’s beside the point. Tell me, did your young lady mention anything about her sister? Her name, perhaps? Or where they’re from?”
Daniel’s eyebrows rose. “My, my. Youareinterested. I’m afraid I didn’t catch many details. She was rather reticent about personal matters refusing to even divulge her name despite me sharingmine. Though she mentioned something about her sister leaving soon. For Scotland, I believe?”
Scotland.
The word echoed in Edmund’s mind, connecting with the mysterious woman’s words about never attending another social gathering. What could it mean?
“Anything else?” he pressed. “Surely, in all your talk of exotic plants and butterflies, she must have let something slip.”
Daniel shrugged. “Not really. Though she seemed rather concerned about secrecy. Kept adjusting her mask, making sure it was secure. I got the impression they weren’t supposed to be here.”
Edmund frowned. A clandestine outing, then. But why? And who were these women who risked so much for one night of freedom?
He couldn’t shake the feeling that he’d missed something important, some crucial detail that would unlock the mystery of the woman in blue.
Her wit, her fire, the underlying sadness in her voice when she spoke of the future—all of it combined to create a puzzle that Edmund found himself eager to unravel.
It had been years since he’d felt this… intrigued. But he had to stifle that interest, for the last time he had pursued such an interest, it ended in disaster.
And yet… he couldn’t stop thinking about the lady in blue, unable to stop himself from wondering if he’d ever see her again.
Chapter Six
“Edmund, darling, do stop scowling at those ledgers. You’ll give yourself wrinkles, and then where will we be?”
Edmund looked up from his desk to see his grandmother, Lady Alderton, sweeping into his study. Her eyes twinkled with mischief, belying the stern set of her lips.
“Grandmother,” he said, rising to greet her. “To what do I owe the pleasure of this unexpected visit?”
Lady Alderton paused, her keen gaze sweeping over him from head to toe. “My, my,” she murmured, a note of approval in her voice. “You do cut quite the figure, Edmund. Every inch the Duke.”
Edmund felt his cheeks flush at the compliment, unused to such praise. He tugged at his cravat, suddenly feeling like a schoolboyunder scrutiny. “Yes, well, appearances can be deceiving. I’m afraid the duchy itself is in a far less impressive state.”
His grandmother’s eyebrow rose. “Oh? Do tell, my dear. How bad is it?”
Edmund sighed, gesturing for her to take a seat as he leaned against his desk. “It’s not good, Grandmother. Father left things in a sorry state, indeed. Debts, neglected tenants, crops failing due to poor management. It’s a mess.”
Lady Alderton’s face softened with sympathy. “Oh, Edmund. I had no idea it was so dire. What do you plan to do?”
He straightened up, squaring his shoulders. “What I must. I’ll fix it. Every last mistake, every misstep. I’ll make Holbrook prosperous again, no matter what it takes.”
“That’s my boy,” she said, her voice warm with pride. Then, a sly look crossed her face. “You know, dear, there might be an easier way to solve some of these problems.”
