Duchess Beware (Secrets & Scandals Book 2)

by Tiffany Green

  Daniel glanced over his shoulder and found she had fallen back to sleep. Damn. He had a lot to apologize for and the sooner the better.

  “Is she goin’ tae be all right, man?”

  He nodded. “Yes, she’ll be fine.” He would make certain of that.

  Seeing more questions brewing in his brother-in-law’s dark blue eyes, Daniel nodded for Connor to follow him to the other side of the room. “Did you find Merrick?” he asked, his voice low.

  A slow smile spread across the man’s lips. “Oh, aye. Wi’ the help of a few friends of mine.”

  Some of the weight Daniel had been carrying on his shoulders fell away. “What did you do to him?” He wanted to be certain Merrick would no longer be a threat to his wife. The thought of what that man had done to Silver made his blood boil.

  Connor’s smile widened. “Merrick has been called for duty aboard the Mary Alice.”

  He lifted his brows, surprised. From his trade business, he knew of that ship. “Are you certain of this?”

  “Saw him board myself,” Connor said with a nod. “And watched the ship depart.”

  So, Victor Merrick had been ensnared by a press gang. He nearly chuckled. The man wouldn’t last above a month.

  Good.

  ****

  Silver thought her head must be made of lead and two sizes too big. The skin on her body was hot and tight. It must be a fever. She tried to focus on the dark blob looming over her.

  The shape became defined and she swallowed. Daniel.

  Then he said something and sat slowly on the chair next to the bed. Her gaze left his, noting his unkempt appearance. She’d never seen him like this before. His disheveled hair hadn’t seen a comb in a while and whiskers darkened his cheeks and chin. The sleeves of his rumpled shirt were rolled up to his elbow, the collar open at the throat. He wore no waist coat. No neck cloth.

  How odd.

  Lifting her gaze back to his face, Silver saw the fatigue in the depths of his dull green eyes and how lines marred his forehead and bracketed his unsmiling lips.

  What had happened? Memories stirred and she recalled leaving Huntington. The carriage. Oh, how could she have forgotten those men! “Are…” She cleared her rusty throat. “Are Garrett and Molly all right?”

  Daniel’s eyes widened before he answered. “They are both fine.”

  She drew her brows together, more perplexed. “Prudence? Your grandmother or Victoria?” Why wouldn’t he tell her what terrible thing had happened for him to look so dreadful.

  “Everyone is fine,” he said softly.

  Instead of being relieved, she grew more nervous. Regret sounded in his voice. “Then I don’t understand…” She halted, her gaze slicing back to Daniel, the light beginning to dawn. He knew. Oh, dear God, he found out about the baby. Molly must have said something. And he hadn’t taken the news well at all. She recalled his threat of divorce if he found her with child, and her heart knotted with fear, knowing what was to come.

  What was she to do? Where would she and Prudence go?

  Connor! She was certain she had heard his voice earlier. But would he be willing to take her and Prudence to Scotland? Would her brothers allow her to stay? She bit her lip. They had sent her away once before. If they wouldn’t let them stay, perhaps she could beg a loan, at least until she found employment. She could also sell Fiona. Yes, that might work.

  Daniel shifted in the chair. “Silver—”

  “I would like to see Connor.”

  His brows drew slowly together. “I have some things to discuss with you.”

  Her insides shook with terror at his words. She knew what he was going to say, and she didn’t want to hear it. “I need to see my brother. Right away.”

  “What I have to say is most important.” He leaned forward, making her shrink back against the pillows. “This cannot wait.”

  Silver swallowed, her throat hot and tight. She could not bear to hear their marriage was over and she would have to leave. No, she would settle things with her brother and just go. “Please,” she whispered, her emotions raw, “I must speak with Connor first. Then I will hear whatever it is you want to say to me.” She was startled to find a teardrop sneaking down her cheek.

  She was even more startled when Daniel reached out and brushed the wetness away with his thumb. Such a tender touch, she closed her eyes. Longing struck so suddenly, it nearly snatched the breath from her body. She didn’t want things to end with her husband. She didn’t want to leave him. She loved him desperately.

  “All right, I will send Connor in.” He rose, his eyes roving her face for several seconds. “But we will talk afterward.” Then he walked from the room.

  Not even three minutes passed before Connor threw open the door and hurried forward. Silver was relieved he had come alone. As her brother neared, she frowned, noticing the dark smudges beneath his eyes and how his face drooped with fatigue. He had been gone a long time, out searching for Victor, she recalled. Fear made her heart lurch and her mouth go dry. But she had to know what had happened.

  “Did you find him?” she asked and held her breath, afraid of the answer.

  “Aye, lassie. And ye never need tae worry with him again.”

  Something in Connor’s eyes, something hidden and dangerous told Silver she didn’t want to hear the details. She relaxed against the pillows. “Thank God.”

  “Ye feeling weel, lass?” he asked, taking the chair beside the bed. The wood creaked under his weight and he went still, obviously afraid it would buckle beneath him.

  She nodded and took a deep breath, deciding to hurry with her request. If she didn’t ask now, she might not ever do so. “I have a favor to ask of you, Connor.”

  He leaned forward, making the chair creak louder. “Anything, lassie. Just ask.”

  “Escort Prudence and me to Scotland,” she said in a rush.

  His brows shot up. “I dinna kin.”

  Oh, how would she tell him she was leaving here for good?

  “Ye wish another visit, lass? I’m sure when ye feel better Huntington will—”

  “No.” She shook her head as exhaustion came crashing over her of a sudden. Struggling to keep her eyes open she reached for her brother’s hand. “Not to visit. To live there.”

  His head jerked back in surprise. “Live there? Lassie ye make no sense. Has the fever returned?”

  Silver fought to keep awake. She squeezed Connor’s hand, knowing she was running short of time. “Prudence and I must leave here right away. We have no choice.”

  “But why?”

  Another tear popped out of her eye and skidded down her cheek. This would not be easy to say. “Because Daniel wishes it so.”

  The surprise lifted and Connor’s face went tight and dark. His eyes glistened with fury. “I’ll kill him.”

  He started to rise, but she held on to his hand with all her strength. “No, Connor, don’t. Just take us to Scotland, will you? Please?”

  A muscle ticked in his clenched jaw. Then he gave a sharp nod. “Aye. When ye feel better—”

  “No. We have to leave today. Now, if you have a carriage.”

  He didn’t speak for several seconds, as though he were trying to sort out what was going on. “Aye, I have a carriage,” he answered softly.

  She tried to smile. “Thank you, Connor. Will you inform Prudence we are leaving?” Her eyes wouldn’t stay open.

  His voice sounded distant, and Silver could no longer fight the fatigue. Now that Connor would help her, she could relax a bit. She’d rest her eyes for a few minutes, just until he readied the carriage. Then they would be on their way.

  Daniel paced the antechamber, trying to sort out exactly what he would say to Silver. He paused and looked up at the gold florid molding. Just how in the hell would he convince her to forgive him? Nothing sounded right. He blew out a breath, his gaze sliding to the closed door. Why did she wish a meeting with her brother? What was so important that it couldn’t wait a few minutes?

  A
strange foreboding settled over him. He didn’t like this. Something wasn’t right. He reached for the knob when the door jerked opened. The look on Connor’s face made him take a step back. His brother-in-law was ready to murder someone.

  “Connor, what—”

  “Ye best tell me what ye’ve done tae upset my sister, Huntington,” the man said, closing the door behind him. “And then I’ll decide if ye live.” He stood there, blocking the doorway, and crossed his arms.

  Daniel’s first reaction was a spurt of outrage. How dare anyone speak to him like that? He was the Duke of Huntington. Then every cruel word he’d ever said to Silver, every cruel thing he had ever done to her came crashing down on him. He blew out a breath, suddenly deflated. Exhausted. He deserved whatever punishment the large Scot would give to him, even more, and he bloody well knew it.

  He mopped a hand down his face. “I accused her of something. But I was wrong.”

  Connor’s eyes narrowed to slits. “What did ye accuse her of?”

  Daniel really didn’t want to answer that, but he knew how he would react if it were Torie. He squared his shoulders and steeled himself for the blow to surely follow his words. “Adultery. But I was wrong,” he added quickly.

  “Adultery?” Connor repeated, his brows shooting up in surprise. Then his scowl returned.

  “I had proof, or what I thought was proof,” Daniel explained quickly, turning to his discarded, somewhat soggy coat thrown over a chair behind him. He pulled the note out and handed it over. “I didn’t learn the truth until two days ago.”

  Connor opened the damp note and was, thankfully, able to read the smeared words. His face grew even darker than before. “At least the bastard has been dealt with,” he growled and handed the note back. “This doesnae excuse ye believing the lie, Huntington. Ye should have known Silver would never dae such a thing. That’s why she wants tae leave.”

  “Leave?” He clenched the note in his fist. “What are you talking about?” He gazed at the door and back. “Is that what she just said?”

  The man gave a sharp nod, a vein popping out at his temple. “She said ye wished her tae leave. And I’m going tae help the lassie dae just tha’.”

  Daniel knew how important his next words were and decided to let his heart speak. “I do not want Silver leaving my side. Ever. I love her.” He straightened his spine, determined. “Now, if you will please move away from the door, I would like to go in there and apologize to your sister and do whatever I can to convince her to stay with me.” Then he held his breath and waited.

  ****

  Silver woke with a start and was glad for it. Her dreams were turning menacing again, terrifying her. Images of her and Prudence trying to protect her baby from an evil storm. It was the crash of thunder in her dream that had jarred her awake. She shivered.

  Carefully, she cracked open her eyes. Her breath caught. From under her lashes, she watched Daniel pace the area between the bed and fireplace. She hadn’t expected to see him. Where was her brother with the carriage?

  The dream echoed through her mind and she squeezed her eyes shut to force the terrible images away. At least Connor had agreed to help her. That eased some of her anxiety, but…

  But the thought of leaving and never seeing Daniel and Torie again still upset her.

  Upset her terribly.

  She would even miss the dowager.

  Silver blinked back the tears that dared to form and watched Daniel stop at the window to gaze out. He propped a hand on the wall and bowed his head. She couldn’t force her eyes away from his profile. A sharp pain pierced her heart when she realized she would never stop loving him. And a part of her would die when she left for good.

  So deep in misery, she didn’t notice him turn. “I’m glad to see you’re awake.”

  She blinked and focused on him. Rot! She had hoped she wouldn’t have to face him before leaving. Where was Connor?

  His attention stayed fixed on her as he walked to the chair beside the bed and sat. “How are you feeling?”

  Silver turned wary, wondering why he acted so…well…pleasant.

  He leaned forward. “Are you in any pain?”

  Yes she was, but not physically. She shook her head.

  “That is good.”

  Her confusion soared. Why did he act as though he cared when she knew he didn’t? He was about to send her away and divorce her, she thought bitterly. Then he smiled down at her. The sexy, toe-curling, stomach-twisting variety, curse his rotten soul to the devil.

  Where in the hell was her brother with that carriage?

  Silver took a deep, unsteady breath. Time to face what was to come. “Quit playing games, Daniel,” she kept her voice as stern as she could, “and come to the point of this pitiful performance of yours.”

  His smile actually widened. “Ah, ‘tis good to hear from the spitfire this fine morn.”

  Why wouldn’t he stop the charade and just tell her he wanted a divorce? “What do you want?”

  He turned serious and scooped up her hand. “I want my wife back.”

  The feel of his hot, slightly rough palm shot up her arm and spilled into her, warming her entire body. Silver jerked her hand away and buried it in between the folds of the blanket, hoping he wouldn’t notice how it trembled. Why would he tell her such a thing? Didn’t he realize just how cruel he was being? She gripped the blanket with both hands. Perhaps that was his intention. “What are you saying?”

  He heaved a heavy sigh and bowed his head. “God, Silver, I’ve been such a fool. Please, my darling, please forgive me for what I’ve done to you.”

  She closed her eyes, recalling every detail of her debut, every terrible word he’d uttered. Then the name Susanna Davenport came to mind, and she opened her eyes. But before she could speak the words that formed on her tongue, a knock sounded.

  Connor. It had to be.

  She heard Daniel swear under his breath as he rose to his feet. He marched to the door and wrenched it open. “What?”

  “Good heavens, Daniel, you don’t have to shout.” His grandmother entered the room, followed by Torie and Prudence, who gave a rather loud sniff of displeasure as she glided past him.

  Silver drew her brows. Where was her brother? Did he have trouble with the carriage?

  “How are you today, my dear?” Anne asked as she reached the bed first.

  She hesitated, a bit confused. Had Daniel not said anything about accusing her of adultery? “Better,” she said, relieved for the moment the formidable lady didn’t think bad of her.

  Anne smiled. “And my great-grandchild?”

  Silver’s whole body tensed at those words. She slid her eyes shut. Oh, my God. They knew. She had been hoping… Her mind whirled. Where was Connor? Had he changed his mind about taking them to Scotland? What would she do then? How would she and Prudence manage until she found work? She bit her trembling bottom lip. Her books might fetch a coin or two, but not near enough to sustain them for long.

  Tamping back her growing anxiety, she opened her eyes and glanced at Daniel as he approached from behind the others. He shot his grandmother a reproving glare, raising her fear even more, and suddenly she wanted to be far, far away.

  “Silver?” Anne asked, her brows crinkled in concern. “Is everything well?”

  With more strength than she realized she possessed, she forced the words from her stiff lips. “All is well.”

  The worry melted from Anne’s face. “That is excellent.” Delight shone in her gray eyes. “I cannot wait to hear the patter of small feet in this house once again.”

  “And I cannot wait to be an aunt,” Torie said with a bright smile.

  Silver swallowed hard, refusing to look at her husband. Why hadn’t he told them of his plans to divorce her?

  Prudence nodded. “Being an aunt is indeed a blessing, Victoria.”

  Anne raised her chin and gave a haughty look. “I daresay being an aunt pales to being a grandmother.”

  Prudence faced the dowager,
giving an admonishing sniff. “Grandmother, ha! You’re more of a dictator.”

  Silver listened to the rest of the argument with only half an ear. Her thoughts centered on what Prudence had said about Anne being a dictator. When Daniel ushered the women from the room, realization hit. Her breath caught. Had Anne forced Daniel into making an apology?

  She thought he couldn’t be forced into anything. However, playing on his sense of duty and honor, Anne might have convinced him. After all, she thought bitterly, even Daniel couldn’t deny the possibility of fathering the child. Perhaps this had been nothing more than an attempt at buying time until he could look upon the baby for any resemblances.

  Oh, God, she could not go through nine months of uncertainty, not knowing if one day she, Prudence, and the baby would be thrown out. She shook her head as the dream intruded. No, it would be better to leave now.

  “Believe it or not,” he said with a chuckle as he approached, “I think those two are starting to like each other.” He resumed his seat beside the bed and smiled, leaning forward to tuck the curl that had fallen against her cheek behind her ear.

  A spark of anger shot through her. How dare he act this way? And an act it must be, she thought with seething indignation. There could be no other explanation for his going from accusing her of adultery to doting husband in so short a time. Her head spun with the sudden change.

  She slapped his hand away. “I want you to leave. Now.”

  His brows sprang up. He withdrew his hand. “We have things to sort out.” He leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms over his chest. “And I’m not leaving here until we do.”

  Silver pulled back the bedding. “Then I am leaving.” She lifted her head from the pillow, determined to go find her brother.

  Daniel stood and cupped her shoulders, scorching her with his touch, and pressed her gently back against the bed. “First things first,” he stated. “I know you haven’t been unfaithful.” He settled the bedding back around her body. “I was wrong to have accused you, Silver, and beg your forgiveness.”