Page 71 of It's a British Christmas

Had it been so very foolish for him to suggest hiring someone to care for them? She accused him of ‘keeping his hands clean’ instead of delving right in to help, when the first thing she’d done when she arrived home was to summon the doctor. How different was that from what Adam had suggested?

Fatigue from trying to keep up with all the worries and work had begun to befuddle her mind. No matter the differences in their lives, or the fact that Adam tried to persuade her to protect herself in a way she considered selfish, did not change the fact that she loved him.

And he claimed to love her. When her brain was clear, usually the first thing in the morning after some rest, she admitted he did, in fact, love her. It showed in all the things he’d done and said. How he’d treated her, how he stuck up for her.

Did that make it any easier to accept a marriage between them?

She sighed and continued to wipe her mother’s body down. It mattered not what she thought now since Adam let her go and after more than a week, hadn’t come after her. Perhaps her words had finally convinced him they were not meant to be together.

Why did it hurt so much to be right?

CHAPTER 13

Christmas was two weeks past. Adam spent his time keeping busy, pushing all thoughts of Eve from his mind. He hired an attorney to squelch the legal matter with Lord Fenster. There was even one day when he considered just marrying Lady Ann and get it all over with.

Then he would think of Eve, her caring, loving manner, her intelligence and charm. Why wouldn’t she believe she could be a successful duchess? He’d tried his best to convince her, but in the end she chose to turn her back on him.

She didn’t turn her back on you, dimwit, she went to take care of her parents. Isn’t her caring nature one of the reasons you love her?

Was he truly that stupid? Did he really think her returning to Worcestershire to take care of those she loved was a rejection of him?

He looked at the glass of brandy in his hand and tossed it into the fireplace, glass and all. The alcohol in the drink sparked a burst of flames. “I am an idiot. I love Eve’s caring nature, but how caring of her and her parents had I been when she was distraught?"

Because you are a duke and think everyone should bow to your wishes, you never considered going with her. To make sure she didn’t place herself in danger. What does that tell her?

That you don’t love her enough to stand by her side. How can she think you would support her when she is criticized by members of the ton if you didn’t stand with her in this important matter?

Damnation, he hoped he wasn’t too late. He pushed himself away from his desk and hurried up to his bedchamber and found his valet in the dressing room attached to his room. “Malcolm, pack my bags for a trip. You may figure on about a week.”

Once he’d made the decision, he was anxious to be on his way. What if he arrived and Eve had caught the illness and was sick? Or dead? A cold sweat broke out all over his body. It would be his fault. He should have gone with her and insisted on hiring people to care for her parents. Eve could have supervised it but didn’t need to do it all herself.

“Malcolm, are we packed yet?”

His long-time valet gave a sigh. “Your Grace it will take more than five minutes to prepare. I assume you are taking the carriage? Perhaps you can have it brought around while you wait for me.”

“That’s an excellent idea! I will take my horse and you can follow in the carriage. I will get there much sooner.”

“Your Grace,” Malcolm started, but Adam was already headed down the corridor to his mother’s sitting room.

He burst into the room with enough energy that he scared his poor mother. “Adam! For heaven’s sake what is the matter? Have you received word from Miss Allen?”

He shook his head. “No. But I am leaving momentarily to travel to her home.”

The Duchess rested her hands in her lap where she held a piece of embroidery. “It’s about time, son.”

He smirked. “I thought you didn’t approve of Miss Allen?”

“It matters not if I approve of her. Apparently, you love the woman and from what she’s told me, she loves you as well. If she is your choice, I will do whatever it takes to see that she doesn’t fail in her role as Duchess.

“But before we consider that, I suggest you leave as quickly as possible. Some other gentleman may grab her up while you wallowed in self-pity.”

He grinned. “That will never happen.” He bent over and kissed her on the cheek. “I’m off. I’m riding Apollo and Malcolm will follow in my carriage.”

“Safe travels, son.”

With a slight salute, he left his mother, made his way to the mews to instruct his man to prepare the carriage. Too anxious to await him tacking Apollo, he did the job himself.

Eve placed her bonnet on the hook near the front door and made her way to the kitchen. She sat at the old wooden table, resting her elbows, and stared at the blank wall.