Page 75 of The Duchess’ Modiste

He pushed past the thought and carried on reading.

Unable to face the sadness of London, she has come home to rest, and I believe, to hide for a while. My daughter will always be welcome here, but the particular reason I am writing to you is because there is one name on my daughter’s lips more than any other.

That is your name. Whatever business is unresolved between my daughter and you, Lord Felton, I beg you to resolve the matter as soon as you can. My daughter has suffered enough sadness. I do not wish to see her suffer anymore.

Yours etcetera,

Baron Maywood.

“Leo?” Maeve called to him again. “What is going on?”

“It’s from Baron Maywood.” He held up the letter, watching as Maeve’s eyes widened, realizing what he was going to say before he could utter the words. “Chloe has gone home to Sussex.”

“Thank God she’s alright,” Maeve said, her breath escaping her quickly. “We should go to her.”

“No, sister.”

“No? What do you mean, ‘no’?” Maeve asked standing to her feet.

“I mean thatIshall go to Chloe.” Leo’s voice was firm as Maeve’s lips parted to argue and Benjamin nodded.

“Then you best get to it, Leo,” Benjamin urged him on.

* * *

Leo was restless. He had ridden through the countryside so many times in the past that he knew every bend of the road, every tree, every cottage on the way. As he looked beyond the window, he knew it would be mere seconds before he was at Chloe’s house.

It has been too long. There will be no more confusion, and no more sadness. That all ends today!

Leo peered down at the letter in his hands, re-reading what the Baron had said, about Leo’s name being on Chloe’s lips more than any other. It gave Leo hope. Such hope that he had to act now.

When the carriage appeared on her drive, Leo stepped down hurriedly, flinging open the carriage door so fast that he nearly knocked the footman over. Leo hastily made an apology and looked toward the house, watching as the front door opened.

The Baron appeared, leaning on the doorframe and offered a smile. It had been some years since Leo had last seen the Baron, perhaps two, but clearly, the Baron didn’t want to waste time with exchanging pleasantries. Still bearing that smile, he nodded his head around the house.

“You’ll find her in the garden,” he called to Leo. “Talk to her, my friend, then come back and see me. You’ll be needing a drink after your long journey.” Then the Baron closed the door.

Leo could have laughed at the Baron’s actions. It was a subtle way of showing Leo he would not be welcome in the house until he had made up with Chloe.

I will gladly do that!

Leo walked around the house, his limbs restless after spending so long in the carriage. The garden was cast in the evening light, a subtle shade of orange and yellow, thanks to the sun dipping beyond the trees. Amongst the flower borders and the trees was Chloe. She wandered through them all, her head bent down, as if examining the flowers in detail. She trailed her fingers across some of the blooms, and then turned back the other way on the path. She appeared lost in her own thoughts, none the wiser to the fact that Leo was there observing her.

Leo stepped forward, trying to get closer to her. Wearing a gown that she had so often worn before, Leo couldn’t help admiring her. Bold green in color, yet with a hint of an ivory bodice and short sleeves, she was quite beautiful. The only thing missing was a smile. She looked forlorn, with her cheeks unmoving, and her eyes downturned.

That changes now.

“Chloe?” Leo called to her, and she snapped her head up, nearly falling over.

Chapter 27

Chloe

“Leo?” For a minute, Chloe was certain she was imagining things. It could have been a trick of the dying light, but as Leo hurried toward her, she quickly realized she was not imagining it. Nothing was said as he crossed toward her, though it was plain he had been riding all day. His tailcoat was somewhat skewwhiff, and though he had made some attempt to flatten his usually coiffed hair, it stood up at odd angles. When he got near, he tripped on a branch that had fallen in the path. “Leo!”

Chloe jumped forward. She reached out and grabbed Leo’s arm, just as he stumbled, then he stood straight and laughed. The sound was so sudden, so warm after the last conversation she’d had with him that she was wrongfooted, staring up at him in amazement.

“It seems some things never change, do they?” he asked with a humored smile. “I will always fall over, and you will always catch me.” When his gaze shot down to the hold she still had on his arm, she retracted it quickly.

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