Masquerade Secrets(22)

He could see the anger written in every part of her body, but what he  hadn't expected were the tears that began to flow down her face.

With a slow wipe of her cheek, she looked down at the trail of wetness in her hand as if she were confused at what she saw.

A sliver of pity rose in his chest, but he fought it back.

She swallowed deeply and nodded before tugging the sheet around her,  rising with the grace of a queen. Without another word, she left,  miserably silent as tears continued to flow freely.

While he never wished to bring a woman to tears, he knew that what he  had said to Victoria was something she needed to hear. He just wished  that the whole thing could have been avoided.

Thinking of Aubrey, he knew he needed to find her. Quickly. The hurt  that had crossed her features, feeding the vulnerability she already  possessed, was more than he could bear.

Physically, it was painful for him, knowing what she must have thought when she saw him with Victoria.

Hell, had it been him, he would have probably believed the worst as  well. But this couldn't come between them. He wouldn't let it.

Searching the library, he cursed the situation when he couldn't find  her. He looked in the music room next, and continued to the parlor. Soon  he was cursing everything for making this so difficult.

He needed to find her. Needed to set things right between the two of  them before any more damage was done. Before the hurt festered.

At a loss, he looked around the empty hall. Where could she have gone at such a late hour?

Glancing out the window, he noticed how bright it was. It was a  cloudless night, and would probably be warm as well. Would she have gone  outside alone?

He strode to the door with purpose, but what he didn't know, was that she had escaped him yet again.





CHAPTER 9



Collapsing on one of the stone benches in the rose garden, Aubrey's  chest heaved with heavy tears, so much so that she thought she wouldn't  be able to breathe again. Tears raced down her cheeks, attesting to the  pain that seared inside.

Where had she gone wrong? How could she have misunderstood so much?

He had wanted Victoria all along and had just been toying with her. Rage surged through her, cancelling out her tears.

Who did he think he was?

She was worth more than this. Much more. She was Lady Aubrey, daughter  of the Viscount Norcliff. She may have been a wallflower, but that was  over. She had an impressive dowry, and after tonight she knew that she  could capture the attention of a husband.

Bradford's face filled her mind and her heart clenched. She had wanted him. Only him.

Only an hour ago she had been so hopeful. Thinking that he might actually propose to her this night.

What a silly fool.

Love had done this to her. He had made her feel, made her want. She  loved him and she had allowed herself to believe, even for a few  moments, that what he said about her was true.

She would never be so trusting again.

With a cleansing sigh, she wiped her tears. She didn't want to be here a  moment longer than she had to. It was too painful to be close by him,  knowing she would never have him. She needed to leave, to get away and  clear her mind, decide what she would do with her life.

Rising from the bench, she walked back into the house, making her way to  her room. She wouldn't be sleeping tonight, she already knew.         

     



 

"Charlotte." Aubrey whispered, entering the room.

Groggy, her sister sat up in bed. "Aubrey? Is everything all right?" she  asked, becoming more alert by the second. "What happened with the  duke?"

"I can't talk about it now." Aubrey's voice hitched.

"Was it bad?"

Nodding, Aubrey answered, "Yes."

"What can I do to help?"

"There isn't much. Help me to convince mother and father to leave first thing in the morning. I can't face him again so soon."

Charlotte tossed bedclothes aside, climbing out of her bed to give her  sister a quick squeeze. "If it is truly what you want, I will help you."

"It is. Thank you."

"There's no need to thank me. I'm sure there will come a time when I  need your help to escape. Just think of this as payment for when that  time comes."

A watery chuckle crossed Aubrey's lips. "I'll remember that."

Aubrey had been right when she knew she wouldn't sleep that night.  Slightly numb, the night had passed quickly, thankfully, and at dawn a  maid had entered the room to light the fire.

"I have just spoken with mother. I told her that I thought I might be  receiving a proposal from the Earl of Westly but I would need to leave  for town immediately. She agreed that we would leave within two hours."

"The Earl of Westly?" Aubrey had to laugh at that. "I can just imagine  mother's face at the prospect." Looking to her sister, her expression  turned serious once again. "You're sure you don't mind leaving early?"

"Not at all. I can't wait to return to London. I've had enough of the  country." Her sister's tone turned brisk. "Come now. Let's finish our  breakfast and dress."

Nodding her agreement, Aubrey allowed Bitsy to help her dress. Trying to  block out any thoughts of where the duke might be at that very moment.

Was he in the dining room with the other guests eating breakfast? Was he out for a morning ride?

Her heart clenched thinking of the time she spent with him. She would  never recover from it. He had affected her as no other had ever done  before. He had become a part of her to the point where she didn't know  how she would live out the rest of her life without him. It was  possible, at least she hoped so.

She tried consoling herself, but her thoughts only made her more  depressed. There would be no relief from the pain anytime soon. The  betrayal was too close, her love for him too enormous for her feelings  to be contained.

"Mother should be here shortly. Are you set to leave?" Charlotte asked, interrupting Aubrey's dour thoughts.

Nodding briskly, she tried to convey strength that she didn't have. "Yes."

"Oh, I beg your pardon, my lady," Bitsy said, looking toward Charlotte.  "But I heard Lady Langston say that there would be a delay of some  sort."

Charlotte's eyes furrowed. "Did she say what it was?"

"No, my lady."

"Thank you, Bitsy."

Aubrey looked at herself in the mirror, smoothing her pale yellow skirt. "I think we're finished here, Bitsy. Thank you."

The maid bobbed a curtsy. "Your welcome, my lady," she said before leaving the room.

Turning toward her sister, Aubrey wondered aloud. "Why would mother need to delay?"

"I haven't a clue." Charlotte shrugged.

"I might as well go see if there is anything I can do to help. I don't  relish the thought of staying here a moment longer than necessary."

"Good idea. I'll be a few minutes behind you." Charlotte took another bite of her toast.

"All right." Aubrey turned to leave, making her way down the hall to her mother's room.

"Oh, my dear, I'm so glad you're here!" Her mother came toward her with a  handful of books. "Would you mind returning this to his lordship's  library? Bitsy is too busy packing and I haven't seen another servant."

"Of course." Aubrey looked toward the bed where Bitsy was carefully  folding clothes. Apparently, her mother was behind schedule. No doubt  she fell back asleep after Charlotte had spoken with her. "Is there  anything else I can do to help?"

"No, no. Just take these books directly to the library." Her mother  seemed a bit brisk, but Aubrey didn't mind. It was a small task that she  could do to help her mother get out the door sooner.

Books in hand, Aubrey quickly made her way to the library. Fortunately,  the house was quiet. With any luck, she would accomplish her task  without anyone seeing her. She had no desire to converse with anyone.  She didn't think she could manage the polite façade that was necessary.         

     



 

Cracking open the library door, Aubrey was relieved to hear silence.  Shoulders slumping, she thanked her good fortune for the small mercy.  Quickly making her way across the plush carpets, she placed the volumes  on the restacking shelf. The servants would know the correct place for  them.

With any luck, she would be able to make her way back to her room without being disturbed.

"Aubrey."

She closed her eyes at hearing the deep voice. The longing that shot  through her was overwhelming, all consuming. She wasn't strong enough to  fight the effect his voice had on her. It was too soon, it was too  much. "Go away, Bradford." She pinched the bridge of her nose, unwilling  to look at him.

"No." He moved to stand beside her, but was wise enough not to touch her. "We need to talk."

"There is nothing to talk about."

"You can't truly believe that I invited Lady Victoria to my room." Frustration was infused into each of his words.

"It's really none of my business."

With a step toward her, his hands came up to grip her arms gently. "Yes,  it is. I only asked you to come to me. I only want you, Aubrey."