Page 112 of Duke with a Deception
She was quiet, obviously considering his words with care, before she nodded. “Very well, I shall think upon it. Would you care for a towel? Or perhaps Corbett’s trousers? He was a bit shorter than you, but I do think they might suffice.”
King wasn’t sure which was more unappealing, the notion of traveling back to his town house in dog-urine-soaked garments or donning a dead man’s trousers.
“If you don’t mind,” he decided. “A change of trousers might be just the thing.”
Half an hour later, he left Ophelia’s town house wearing trousers that were two inches too short, carrying a wriggling pup in his arms, and firm in his determination. He was going to go to Riverdale Abbey. He was going to throw himself upon Verity’s mercy and hope she would come home to him. He didn’t think he could bear another fortnight without her.
But first, he had one stop to make.
He needed to find a bloody forget-me-not.
CHAPTER 22
Angel,
Fourteen endless, interminable, miserable, meaningless bloody days.
I have decided that if you will not come home to me, then I shall come to you. Blacken my eye, spit in my face, curse me to the devil as you must. But prepare yourself, darling. For I am about to lay siege.
Ever yours,
King
PS: I am bringing with me a puppy. His name is Samuel, which rather reminded me of your Coleridge. I have found and read the poem “Love” in full. If you don’t want me, perhaps you will allow the hound to keep you company instead. Hehas already chewed up my favorite pair of boots, pissed on my trousers, and shat under my desk.
Verity’s stomach felt rather curdled. She wasn’t sure if it was thanks to the swaying carriage as it lumbered along the rutted Riverdale Abbey approach or if it was the slight sickness she had begun to feel that morning, which had only subsided after she had enjoyed a cup of soothing tea.
Or perhaps it was the excitement of being on her way back to King.
Or the uncertainty over not knowing how she would be received after just over a fortnight’s absence.
“Did you enjoy your time at Riverdale Abbey, Emma dearest?” she asked, trying to distract herself.
Emma smiled. “Yes, but I miss the duke.”
“I do too, darling girl.”
“And I wish I’d caught that bast— frog,” she corrected at the last second.
Verity tried not to laugh. “Perhaps next time you shall, and thank you for minding your manners.”
Emma’s smile widened. “Yer welcome, Lady Vitty.”
Suddenly, the carriage began to slow. Frowning, Verity looked out the window. There was no indication of trouble, but as the conveyance came to a halt, she heard the unmistakable sound of another carriage approaching from ahead.
“How odd,” she murmured aloud. “I wonder who could be coming to Riverdale Abbey.”
After all, she had told Everett and Sybil there was no need for them here and they should remain in London.
“Why did we stop, Lady Vitty?” Emma asked, sliding off the squabs to press her nose to the window of the carriage.
“I shall investigate,” Verity said, misgiving blossoming in her already churning stomach. “You stay right here with Grace, if you please.”
The nursemaid nodded. “Miss Emma will remain with me. We shall practice our spelling whilst we wait.”
“Excellent.” Verity smiled in reassurance before moving to the carriage door and opening it.
As she craned her neck, she saw a carriage approaching them, coming to a halt as well. Before it had come to a complete stop, the door flew open and a tall, familiar masculine form leapt to the ground.
