I will collect the umbrella and go to her. Though I believe she will take shelter at one of the gazebos.”
Caroline bit her lip, appearing distinctly uncomfortable. “She took the carriage and Franny. Her maidservant, Sarah, and Franny’s nursemaid accompanied her, along with a few valises and hatboxes.”
“Why would she do that?”
“I saw her reading a letter before…before she left.” His sister looked away, a flush on her face.
“What letter?”
“I did not mean to read it, but it was just there on the floor.” Then she dipped into her pocket and held it out to him.
Dear Phoebe,
I must confess how much I miss you. Your smiles and your laughter. I love you. I wish you to marry me…
Unable to read any more, Hugh looked at the date. This was a letter from George sent months ago, before that bounder had kidnapped her to London. Hugh crushed it in his fist. “This was a letter received months ago. This has nothing to do with Phoebe leaving now.”
He made to walk away and froze. What if? Hugh sucked in a harsh breath.
“What is it?” Caroline demanded.
“I just had a thought.”
“And that is?”
Hugh hesitated then finally signed. “He offers her everything I did not.” The words of George that night in the gardens echoed in his thoughts. Let me love you…give you a happy life. What if she had gone to the person who could offer her the desires in her heart? He shook his head and dismissed the thought immediately. She had honor, and her character was not inconstant. Yet he had disappointed and hurt her so much that she had left.
The agony that arrowed through Hugh’s heart was numbing. Merciful Christ. She had left without knowing…without knowing that he really did want her with every emotion in his heart. He rubbed the spot on his chest where he swore it physically ached. What if he could not convince Phoebe to come back? Fuck! His father had given up his pride and chased their mother to Edinburgh and begged her to return home. What if…
Hugh closed his eyes against the raw emotions bubbling inside. Bloody hell. It was happening again. Only this time…this time something dark and powerful quaked in his heart, and it felt like fear and sorrow.
Hugh could not envision a life without Phoebe.
His sister held out her arm. “Here, she left a letter for you.”
He plucked it from her hand and opened it.
Dear Hugh,
I must own that I had little hope of obtaining your affections. From the very beginning, you have shown an indifference to the notion of love or anything romantic. I heeded your words, as I have been gravely disappointed before, so it was never my intention to fall in love with you. But I did…I love you, and I am not ashamed to admit it.
It does hurt that you cannot admit your affection for me, and the notion of only civility existing between us is unbearable. I cannot live in such a marriage. I cannot believe you would, either. I have been enduring the distance between us and the indifference in your eyes and touch. I must warn you. I will endure this no more. You must know I do have a very reckless and impetuous heart, and that should have been fair warning to you.
I am giving you some time to reflect on what you want. Even though at this point, and with what I have decided, your opinion does not matter. Terribly bold and improper of me, but there you have it. I have taken Franny and I am leaving…
He turned the letter over. Where was the rest of it? Hugh scrubbed a hand over his face and read that last line again.
I have taken Franny and I am leaving.
She was not able to divorce him, but her family had enough power and connections to keep them divided forever. Clearly, she had run to her brother, the powerful Marquess of Westfall, and that man was a dangerous person to make his enemy. But if it came to that, it damn well would because he was never letting go of her.
To Hugh’s shock, he realized his eyes stung and his throat burned something fiercely.
Phoebe has left this marriage, and that is all my fault for being a bacon-brained buffoon.
The pain that cleaved through him then was enough to have him leaning weakly against the wall to the staircase, his forehead dropping with a heavy thud against the paneled oak.
He pushed from the wall. “How long