Page 96 of The Duke's Unclaimed Bride
Both Ava and Christian looked shocked.
Ava stepped forward and wrapped her arms around Edith, holding her and Tilly tightly. “Stay as long as you need,” she whispered.
Edith nodded, trying to hold in her tears.
“Miss Tilly, why don’t you come this way?” Christian suggested. “I think Luke and Pudding are in the parlor, and Anthony will join you.”
Tilly glanced at Edith, who nodded, encouraging her to go. The girl nodded, and Edith put her down.
“Thank you,” Tilly whispered, before walking away with Christian.
Edith held onto Ava tightly. Once Tilly and Christian’s voices were far enough away, she broke down in her friend’s arms.
“Shh… shh…” Ava said softly, rubbing her back. “It’s safe. You are fine. Christian and I will take care of you.”
“Th-th-thank you,” Edith hiccupped into her friend’s shoulder.
“Of course. Come on, you’ll catch a cold out here,” Ava said, taking out a handkerchief and handing it to her.
Edith wiped her eyes and stepped inside with her friend.
None of the servants had alerted Laurence when Edith left. He only found out two days later, when he overheard the maid informing Tilly’s governess.
That had hurt. Leaving was understandable, and he could not blame Edith for that. But it was heartless that none of his servants had bothered to inform him.
Truthfully, he couldn’t blame them either. He had felt them retreat. Their conversations ceased the second they realized he was within earshot. The townhouse was reverting to its previous state.
England’s perpetually wet landscape was also not helping his mood. He was sure that it had not stopped raining since the charity event.
He had spent another day trying to work, only to be thwarted by his mind. He had been looking out the window for several hours, watching the rain stream down the glass in thick sheets, obstructing his view of the gardens.
He wiped a hand across his face. Work could not distract him. The weather could not distract him. Did he have any hope of overcoming this challenging time?
His eyes were drawn to the red carnation. He had kept it in a small vase in a vain hope of keeping something from that night alive, but it was wilting.
“I need a break,” he sighed, standing up.
Before he could second-guess himself, he picked up a novel from his shelf. His body was moving of its own accord. He stepped into the hallway and flagged down his valet.
“Have the carriage prepared,” he ordered.
“Where are you going, Your Grace?” the valet asked. “To Richmond Estate?”
Laurence felt his stomach sink. The valet was not the only one hopeful that he would go to see Edith and bring her back home. He could see maids pausing their cleaning and other servants watching.
“No,” he said. “I just need to get some air, and I have no intention of getting wet.”
The valet nodded, but the hopeful smile vanished from his eyes. “I see. I shall have everything prepared,” he replied.
Laurence watched him leave. It was as if he could see the man’s steps getting heavier as he walked down the hallway.
He leaned against the doorframe, tapping his head against it rhythmically. Not with the intent to injure himself, but perhaps knock some sense into himself. He desperately needed it.
Eventually, the carriage was prepared, and he stepped inside.
Taking out his book, he tried to lose himself in the pages. For a few minutes, he was able to forget about the charity event, Lord Hargrove, Edith, and Tilly. Maybe this was just what he needed.
But then the carriage hit a familiar bump, and he was flung forward.
