tarnished candelabra as thunder rolled and rain pelted the rotting windowpanes.
He wanted to take her hand to offer her comfort, but dared not do anything to interrupt her tale.
Elspeth continued, “But that has little to do with your question. I suppose I am procrastinating because I bear some culpability in the duke’s demise. As I said, he was far kinder than the viscount. He allowed me time to settle into our marriage before requiring me to…,” her cheeks colored, a slight tinge of pink, “perform. After two months passed and I still locked my bedchamber door, he grew tired of waiting.”
She averted her gaze and took a long drink from her wineglass. “He came to my door and demanded entry. I refused and begged him to leave me be. He attempted to talk me into accepting him, but I continued to refuse. He grew angry, then pounded on the door and yelled for me to allow him his marital rights.”
Anger surged through Damian, his pulse ticking up and face growing warm. The thought of these men putting their hands on her—of them taking her to bed. He cared not that she had wed them. No man had the right to push himself on a woman. “You are not to blame,” he said.
Elspeth shook her head, determined. “Not entirely, however, neither am I innocent. If I had done my duty as his wife, he would still be alive.”
Damian leaned forward and captured her hand. “Nonsense.”
She did not pull away, instead allowing Damian to hold her hand as she stared into his eyes. “I made him so angry that he collapsed from the strain and died right there in the hall. Society blamed me. The duke’s heir blamed me.”
“You did nothing wrong,” Damian said as he squeezed her hand with reassurance.
Elspeth pulled her hand free and blew out a breath. “Regardless, I am now a social pariah believed to be a murderess at worst and cursed at best. The duke’s heir sent me away with only my valise and refused to allow me to pack anything of value. He did not even allow me the protection of outriders or the company of my maid.”
Damian’s anger turned to pure rage as he listened to her tale. He had the sudden urge to track the new Duke of Darby down and kill the bastard with his bare hands. “He should pay for what he’s done to you. The new duke and your parents as well. You are a victim of your circumstances, not a villain.”
“Regardless, I find myself here with nothing to recommend me and no means of support.” She forced a smile, the steel he’d recognized in her before returning full force. “I will perservere. I will find my way. Have no doubt on that score.”
He watched in silence as she returned to her meal, all grace and calm demeanor. This woman was special. He could not quite put his finger on why, but he knew it to be true all the same. She deserved better than she’d gotten, and yet, she held herself together when any other woman would have crumbled.
“Are you also a victim of your circumstances,” she asked as she brought her fork to her lips.
Damian swallowed, his throat closing painfully. He’d never spoken to anyone about what happened to him. He had no wish to relive the horrors of the past. Still, he had to give her something after the way she had confided in him. He opted for a simple answer. One that would give her an answer without telling her too much. “War is an ugly thing.”
She nibbled her lower lip as she studied him as if she were waiting for him to say more.
He set his fork aside, then finished his wine in one gulp. “I no longer require your company. You are free to retire,” he said in a flat but firm tone.
She opened her mouth, then closed it again as though she were about to speak, then thought better of it. Elspeth pushed out her chair and rose. “Good evening, then.”
He fought the urge to return her sentiment. He’d enjoyed the normalcy of their meal, but it was now at an end. Her charm and grace had allowed him to forget his injuries for a short while, but her question had brought it all back in sharp relief, souring his mood.
He wanted her to go, and so she did.
Damian watched her stroll from the dining room before refilling his glass and turning his attention