Page 67 of Never Dare a Duke
Her first concern had to be protecting Gwen, who would never recover her standing in Society if she were linked to Abigail’s schemes. Much as Gwen thought there should be no divisions between classes, she would be terribly hurt to be on the outside, shunned by her family and friends.
And Abigail could not live with herself.
She watched the picnic as if from a distance, saw Elizabeth and her mother giving Christopher strange looks as he flirted with the Ladies May and Theodosia. Abigail had always known that someday he would have to return to the women of his world, as if he’d decided against courting her. She had understood that she might be humiliated—hadn’t really even cared, so focused had she been on her story.
But it hurt, like a burning knife in a deep wound. He would never again look at her with amusement and interest in his dark eyes. She hadn’t thought she’d become used to his presence, to his deep voice.
And now it was all gone, and all she had left was his contempt.
And his threats. She had no choice but to do what he had commanded of her, and she might as well begin immediately.
She placed a small selection of cheesecakes on a plate and took it to Mr. Walton, who for the moment was standing alone.
He looked down at the plate, his thin lips quirked up on one side in amusement. “What is this?”
“A peace offering,” she said softly. “I don’t see why we both can’t have what we want.”
“Do not even try to suggest we work together on this.”
She shot him an amused glance. “Believe me, I can be just as competitive as any man. But I certainly wouldn’t want to share this with you, even the story of the decade. After all, I’ve been here for days; I’m already close to his family—to him. Just remember that.”
She left him curious, and would return to him that afternoon in hopes that he’d thought through his options.
But for a while, she needed to retire to her room and be alone. But when at last she closed her door, Christopher pushed it open, then closed it by leaning back.
And for the first time, Abigail felt almost frightened of him because his face was so expressionless.
“You were supposed to wait to approach Walton until I could overhear,” Christopher said coldly. “I am hardly going to trust what you tell me.”
She sighed and sat down heavily in a chair near the bare hearth. “We discussed nothing new about you. But I had to begin to ease my way into his confidence. I think he’s curious now about what I know.”
“You cannot delay this. I won’t have him in my house beyond today.”
She nodded, feeling so weary and alone. “I understand. I will try this afternoon. Is there someplace you can hide if I bring him to your study? It seems to be the only place I can guarantee others will not be.”
He watched her with narrowed eyes, then finally nodded. “There is a bathroom off the study. I will wait in there. What time?”
“I am letting him debate joining forces with me. Let us give him an hour, then I’ll go find him while the ladies are resting and the gentlemen are playing billiards.”
“I’ll be there.” After listening at the door, he left without another word.
And she wanted to cry. Her throat was so tight she felt she couldn’t swallow. But she held it all in, knowing that if she appeared before Mr. Walton with a red, splotchy face, he would suspect something.
Just then Gwen came in, her expression full of confusion. “Did I just see the duke in our corridor?”
Abigail’s tears let loose, and she quickly used a handkerchief to staunch them.
Gwen rushed forward, putting her arm around Abigail. “My dear, what happened? Goodness, you even have a scratch on your arm!”
Abigail stared at the faint line of blood that had already dried. “I’m not crying about that. Oh, I am such a fool!” Trying to keep herself under control, Abigail told Gwen about the duke’s discovery of her true identity. “I truly never imagined what it would feel like to be so revealed to him. I knew I was betraying him, had justified it in my mind, but the look on his face…his fury…”
They were sitting side by side on Abigail’s bed, with Gwen’s arm giving her support.
“Abby, perhaps he was furious because he cares for you.”
Abigail rolled her eyes. “Helikedme.”He desired me, and that was worse for him.“And now he despises me.”
Gwen took a fortifying breath. “Then we are leaving? I can pack quickly.”
