Page 70 of The Duke Meets His Match

She’d be snatched up by a Scotsman before the end of her first week.

Hell.

He was ashamed that it had taken him so long to acknowledge his own feelings.

His illness still scared him—his dreaded, unpredictable episodes—but it didn’t frighten him as much as losing her. The thought of living without her by his side was more terrifying than marching into enemy lines or standing in front of a loaded cannon.

He knew the perfect way to show her how much he cared. She may be willing to leave him behind, but there was a small child that Chloe could not ignore so easily.

He was counting on it.

…

Early the following morning, Chloe felt utterly miserable. The coach to take her to Hampshire would be arriving soon. It would be a long trip, stopping at numerous posting inns along the way, before she arrived at Huntingdon’s country estate. She was grateful that her maid, Alice, was accompanying her. However, Chloe wouldn’t be in the mood to talk, which meant she’d have mile after mile to think of Michael and what could have been.

She regretted that there wasn’t enough time to say good-bye to Emily, but the orphanage didn’t open its doors to visitors until early afternoon. Sweet, innocent Emily who bravely continued to fight her illness. She would miss the child terribly, and her only consolation was that Amelia and Eliza had agreed to visit Emily at the orphanage and explain that Chloe had to go on a trip. Her sisters had also agreed to visit the child weekly. Chloe had written explicit instructions as to the types of books and stories Emily preferred—fairy tales of princesses and, of course, dragons.

A fresh wave of longing sank in Chloe’s stomach.

“Are you sure about this?” Alice asked. The maid was almost finished packing Chloe’s stockings and shoes in a large trunk.

“Yes.” No. She wasn’t certain about anything. She only knew that staying in London without seeing Michael would be torture.

A low knock on her bedchamber door startled her. Alice opened the door to find a footman holding a letter. “This just arrived for you, Miss Chloe.”

Chloe broke the seal and opened the letter.

Miss Somerton,

I am writing to notify you that Emily’s progress has dramatically changed and the child is asking for you. Please come to the orphanage to see her before it is too late.

Respectfully,

Dr. Graves

Chloe felt the blood drain from her face as the letter fluttered to the carpet at her feet.

“What is it?” Alice asked.

“It’s Emily. She’s taken a turn for the worse and is asking for me. I have to go see her.”

“But what about the coach?”

“There will be another. Quick! Help me dress and summon a carriage. There’s no time to spare.”

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Chloe sprinted up the front steps of the orphanage. She wiped a stray tear from her cheek as she ran down the hall that led to the room that housed the young girls and burst inside. She halted.

All the beds were empty.

Even Emily’s.

Chloe ran to the back of the room to Emily’s designated bed. The bed was neatly made with clean sheets, the brown blanket tidily tucked in all four corners.

She glanced around the room. The rest of the children would be outside playing, but Emily had been unable to join them in months. Good Lord, if the bed was empty, that could only mean one thing.

No!