The Haunting of a Duke(32)

Neither spoke for several minutes. The words hung in the air, heavy and thick with emotion.

Finally he said, “I had wanted to stay with her, you know? I had wanted to spend the day traipsing through the woods with her, holding her basket while she collected flowers and pretty rocks and doing all the nonsense things girls like to do. But I didn't. When Jeremy and Rhys suggested going to the village for sweets, I agreed to go with them because I was too embarrassed to admit I would have preferred to remain behind and moon over her."

He stopped speaking for a moment, as if reflecting on the past and the choices that he felt had contributed to her death. “They had been teasing me unmercifully about her. It wasn't mean-spirited, you understand, but just the way boys are. Had I not been so prideful I would have been with her, and her senseless death would not have occurred."

Emme's heart broke for him, for the guilt that he carried needlessly. His devil-may-care facade was withering before her eyes. It was a mask to hide his pain and guilt. Melisande wanted her to help him, to heal him. “Or you could have died with her. You were twelve years old, Lord Ellersleigh.” Emme could tell that he wasn't hearing her, he was putting up the walls to keep her out and to keep all the pain bottled up inside.

He understood the wisdom of her words, but looking at the child he had been through a man's eyes was difficult. His guilt was with him, a part of him, and a few pretty words would not rend that bond so easily. “Excuse me, Miss Walters. I am returning to my bed. It is far too early for a man of my delicate sensibilities and love of brandy to be out and about. I trust with the information I imparted to you, you will not leave the house unescorted?"

Emme nodded. “Of course, Lord Ellersleigh,” she agreed readily. As he walked toward the door, she called out. “And I am sorry to have pressed you so, Lord Ellersleigh. I know it must have been terribly difficult for you."

He waved off her apology. “Perhaps it's for the best to get it out in the open? It has festered long enough, I think."

He walked away and Emme stared down at her plate with no interest in food whatsoever. Very little could put off her appetite, but what Lord Ellersleigh had disclosed had succeeded. She sipped her tea and contemplated how to amuse herself during the day without leaving the house.

In his aunt's sitting room, Rhys glared coolly at his aunt. “You will be the soul of hospitality to Miss Walters, Aunt Eleanor. She is an invited guest in this house, and as for my ‘undue’ attention to her, it is frankly none of your concern."

Eleanor's mouth firmed, and the grim expression revealed all the faint signs of her age that she worked so hard to conceal. “She is unacceptable, Rhys. Surely, you can see that? Inviting her as a guest is hardly the same as this vulgar interest you are displaying."

"There is nothing vulgar about my interest in her,” he said. He knew, of course, that his definition differed greatly from his aunt's.

"Miss Walters, in spite of her eccentricities, has displayed nothing untoward since she has arrived here. The same cannot be said of you. I will not repeat this, aunt, so listen well. There will be no veiled threats, no blackmail, no social slights or any other vile plots you may have devised."

"Rhys, you make me sound like some sort of villain,” she protested hotly.

Rhys considered his next statement carefully. His aunt had never failed to put the family's name and reputation above all else, at any cost. He had little doubt that she would do whatever was necessary to prevent Miss Walters from “damaging” the family name in any way. “Not a villain, but I would be foolish not to recognize your formidable nature. Miss Walters is not a subject I intend to discuss with you again. You will treat her with the same solicitude and concern you show to any other guests."

He rose, and added, “The house party ends on Saturday, and with Madame Zuniga's murderer apprehended, I imagine many will leave early to impart that glorious bit of scandal, but I intend to ask Miss Walters to remain for another week, to find the answers Mother is seeking. And to answer older questions."

"Older questions?” Eleanor asked, her face paling.

Rhys had debated with himself whether or not to disclose the information that Michael had shared with him, but in the end had decided to be forthcoming. “Miss Walters has apparently been communicating with Melisande."

"Melisande is gone,” Eleanor said abruptly.

Rhys gave her an assessing stare. “You were willing to indulge Mother's belief that Elise's spirit is here, but not Melisande's?"

"I have never believed Elise was here, or that even if she were, that woman could communicate with her! I chose to humor your mother, however. As for Melisande, any mention of her to your mother, or the notion for your dear mother that the child is not at peace would destroy her!"