Page 63 of Pursuing a Duke
They both wiped the tears from their eyes. “Thank you, Emmeline. That means the world to me. I loved Aiden. I also know he would want you to forgive yourself for whatever guilt you harbor, marry Andrew, and be happy.”
“I believe that. Or at least I’m coming to believe it.” She squeezed his hand once more, then removed it.
“It’s time we all put the past in the past. We will never forget Aiden. He will always live in each of us. Yet, it is time for those heloved and left behind to find happiness. I envy Langford. He and Lilly seem so in love and happy. Yet I know he struggled after Aiden’s death and probably still has his demons. Lilly will ease his, as you and Andrew will ease each other’s, and Lady Beatrice will mine.”
“Why do I feel there is more to the story about you and Lady Beatrice than I know?”
Caldwell blushed. He actually averted his gaze and turned red. “I have had my eye on her since the beginning of the Season. I’ve never courted anyone, so I didn’t know how to begin. Then there was the fact that her mother sought a title for her daughter—the title of duke.”
Emmeline had always believed Caldwell was the epitome of a rakehell, one who scattered lady’s hearts all over London. Was it all a ruse? Or just her imagination? He’d been away from England most of the time during the past six years, yet the reputation seemed to persist.
“Lady Beatrice is taken with you. Courting her should be easy. Just be yourself.”
“And who am I?” he asked. “The second son of a baron. Rich because of my hard work. Nothing was handed to me as it was handed to my wastrel of a brother, yet people respect him more because of his title.”
How strange that Caldwell struggled with self-esteem. “You are a member of the peerage. The son of a baron. A kind man and a worthy friend. Hold your head high. You made your wealth by using your brain. You should be proud of yourself. I know I am.” She swiped at her tears. She hadn’t been prepared for the conversation with Caldwell to turn so emotional. But emotional in a good way.
“Thank you, Emmeline. That means a lot coming from you. And you are right. It is time I believed in myself regarding pursuits other than business.”
“I feel as though this has happened before,” Langford said as he and Lilly entered Andrew’s chambers. “Only it was me in the bed. How is he?”
Lilly stood beside Emmeline, holding her hand as Caldwell explained all that had happened and what the doctor had said.
“Christ,” Langford moved to the other side of Andrew’s bed and frowned down at him. “Has he stirred at all?”
“Not since we arrived here. I’m worried...” She fought down her sobs. She would break down later when she was alone with Andrew.
The four of them silently watched over Andrew. Langford and Lilly held hands, Emmeline sat on the edge of the bed, and Caldwell watched from the foot of the bed. Time ticked on, and Emmeline wanted to grab Andrew by his shoulders, shake him and scream, “Wake up!” But she didn’t act on her impulses. Instead, she hugged herself as ice and fear penetrated her heart. She could not lose him. She had just got him back.
Winters knocked and entered the room. “Pardon me, but Mr. Whitcomb is downstairs and wishes to speak with Mr. Caldwell and Lord Langford only.” Before he left, he asked, “Any change in His Grace’s condition?”
“No,” Caldwell answered as the three men exited the room.
“I remember Mr. Whitcomb,” Lilly said as she dragged a chair close to the bedside. “I cringe whenever I hear his name mentioned.”
“As will I from now on.”
“Does he know who did this?”
“They caught someone in the park right after they shot Andrew,” Emmeline said. “They tried to kill me twice before. They must have meant to shoot me and missed, hitting Andrew instead.” She jumped up and paced the room, her skirts swaying with her quickness as her mind whirred. “The shot can’t have been meant for Andrew. If he were dead, he could not marryLady Beatrice. I don’t know how many more times they can attempt to kill me and fail.”
“Please calm yourself, Emmeline,” Lilly said. “There will be no more attempts. They were caught and will go to jail for a very long time. Attempted murder of a duke will not go over well in court. With any justice, they will be sent to Newgate for the rest of their lives.”
Emmeline paused her pacing. “I have always admired your strength and wisdom at your young age, but you have become even stronger since your ordeal with Redford. Henry would be very proud of you.”
Sadness flashed on Lilly’s face, then disappeared as quickly as it appeared. “I love Edmund with all my heart, but I miss my first husband. Learning from his example and my father’s is how I attained such strength and wisdom. They were also two of the kindest men ever to live.” She paused and huffed. “Remember when I first met Edmund, and I thought he was an arrogant, heartless beast of a bear?”
“How could I forget?” Emmeline said with a giggle.
“Thank goodness I was wrong.”
“Yes, indeed.”
When footsteps came down the hallway, Emmeline tensed and hurried back to sit with Andrew, who had yet to do anything. Except his face just twitched. Was that good or bad?
Her eyes went to Caldwell and Langford entering the room. Both looked haggard. The events of the past few days were getting to them. Before they had time to speak, she blurted out, “Well, who was it?”
Langford and Caldwell both frowned and made their way to Andrew’s bedside. Langford reached for Lilly’s hand. Caldwell stood watch at the end of the bed again, arms crossed over his chest, his body tense.
