Page 80 of His Haunted Duchess
Felicity fidgeted with her gloves.
“No doubt, no doubt, but—surely, to oblige me, you’d take a turn or two?” When Caroline’s face must not have been particularly accommodating, she added, in a lower tone, “I have—important information for you—about the duke.”
Caroline raised her eyebrows. What could Felicity possibly say that wasn’t general knowledge? Perhaps she had heard something about Frederic’s condition. News travelled fast amongst the ton. It would not be unheard of for her to make a morning call if?—
“I’ll get my things,” Caroline said. “Perhaps a turn about the garden would do me good.”
Winifred stood next to the door like a gargoyle, frowning as she let the two ladies out.
The afternoon air felt pleasant against her skin. Caroline waited until they had walked a short distance from the house before speaking.
“You said you had information, Lady Felicity? I am all aflutter to hear any news.”
Felicity shot her a pointed glance. It reminded Caroline of a weasel she had seen once at the market.
“Perhaps I misspoke. I have no fresh news, but I am inclined to offer you very important advice.”
Caroline raised her eyebrows. Felicity lowered her voice to a conspiratorial whisper.
“Stay away from the duke—from Frederic Grandon. It’s for his safety and yours.”
Caroline stared at her, for a moment distracted from her grief by sheer awe at Felicity’s audacity.
“I’m afraid I don’t know what you’re talking about, Lady Felicity. The duke, as you know, is my husband.”
Felicity winced. Caroline felt that, had she had the chance, she would have ground her teeth.
“Of course, he is—but husband or not, it would behoove you to withdraw yourself from him.” Felicity stopped, turning to face her. “It is your curse, Caroline. As surely as I know you, I know also that your curse puts you—and more importantly, the duke—in grave danger.”
Caroline’s guilt, which had been so easily nursed by the privacy of her own opinions, shuddered and revolted under Felicity’s accusation. Even if what she said was true, how dare Felicity approach her and bare the grossness of her thoughts in this base manner?
“Perhaps you mean this conversation to be a friendly warning,” Caroline said stiffly, “in which case I forgive you your impertinence and focus instead on your charity.”
Felicity blotched like a garden beet fresh unearthed with a pointed hoe.
Caroline continued, raising her chin, but not her tone, “In fact, it would behoove you to know in return that it is not your place, of all people, to meddle in my marriage.”
“You—you cursed woman!”
Before Caroline knew what had happened, Felicity swung her hand hard, slapping her across the face. She reeled from the force of the blow, gasping in shock.
“Your marriage to Frederic was nothing more than an unfortunate chain of scandalous events—a twist on the natural order of what ought to have occurred.”
She spat the words as if they burned her. Caroline fell back before her, eyes wide with shock. Felicity stepped forward, face contorted.
“You have no place next to him. The curse that haunted your entire family will one day take you too—it can take you now!”
They had reached the edge of the lake. Caroline’s foot slipped into the water. She turned to look. Felicity struck. She pushed both of Caroline’s shoulders, sending her back into the dark water, covering her scream in dark liquid fear.
The coldness struck her like an arrow from a bow. She gasped, and water filled her mouth. She couldn’t move—she couldn’t. The darkness pulled her close in its watery embrace. She closed her eyes. She was going to drown.
“No!”
Frederic dismounted in time to watch Felicity push Caroline backwards. She reeled for a moment then fell into the lake. He rushed to the bank.
“Frederic!”
Felicity called his name. He ignored her. His feet left the bank as he sprang into the dark water. The shock drove the strength from him.
