The Duke's Divorce (The Reluctant Grooms Series Volume IV) (35 page)

“Where did they go?”

“I’m sorry, Your Grace, I have no idea. The
Earl checked Lady Stewart out.” The concierge showed Robert the
room bill. Greenleigh’s signature was on the bottom. Damn it!

He stormed out of the hotel, and jumped on
Zeus. “She’s checked out, but she’s with Greenleigh,” he said to
Davingdale. “Do you know where he lives?”

“No.”

Robert turned Zeus and they headed to
White’s. If anyone knew where Greenleigh lived, it would be Jacobs
the maitre ‘d.

Jacobs gave them the address, fourteen
Pottiger Lane, in the oldest section of Piccadilly. Not exactly the
hub of Society, but still fashionable.

Robert banged on the front door. An old man
answered.

“Where is Greenleigh,” Robert demanded.

“I have no idea. It is not my place to know
the whereabouts of my nephew. Who are you?”

“I am the Duke of Cantin, and Greenleigh is
with my wife.”

The old man smiled. “About time that boy
decided to get to bed.”

“When he returns, tell him I will await him
at my house. If he does not see me by dawn I will find him and you
sir, shall not have to worry any longer about the whereabouts of
your nephew. He shall be with the angels in Heaven.”

Robert thanked Davingdale for his service and
his friendship and they parted company. There was nothing else for
Robert to do but wait for Greenleigh.

Robert paced the floor of his study.
Alternating between fits of rage and utter despair, Robert had no
idea whether he should have Edwards stand in the room with him or
not, just in case he decided to do harm to Greenleigh. Although, he
couldn’t really blame the Earl in all this. Save Penny, he was
probably Fiona’s only friend.

At half-eight that evening, Edwards announced
the Earl of Greenleigh.

Robert maintained his composure.
“Greenleigh.”

“Cantin.”

Robert felt like a wary cat as they circled
each other in the room.

“Where is my wife?”

“Before I tell you, there are a few things I
think you should know.”

“By all means, do sit down,” Robert said, a
sarcastic bite lingering in his words. “Would you care for a
drink?”

“No, thank you,” Greenleigh said. He handed
Robert a small leather case and sat.

“What is this?” Robert leaned against his
desk.

“These are your wife’s jewels she asked me to
pawn for her so she could escape from you. Naturally, I insisted
she allow me to help her financially, but she refused.”

Robert opened the case and found jewelry he
had never seen before. “Where did she get these?”

“Her mother is what she told me.” Greenleigh
folded his hands in his lap.

Robert had not thought there were any more
than the pearls. “How much?”

“All told the sum of six hundred pounds,
which also includes the bill from the Bainbridge.”

“Six hundred pounds! What the bloody hell
could she want with six hundred pounds?”

“She has taken a year’s lease on a small
property owned by a friend of mine.”

“
What!
” Robert couldn’t think
straight.

“Cantin, may I speak directly?”

“Please.” Robert sat down in the chair
opposite Greenleigh. He needed some sort of guidance. He was fully
prepared to beg Fiona to come back, but with her taking the lease
on a house, it didn’t appear as if she would. And at this point it
seemed, Greenleigh was the only one who knew what she was
thinking.

“I am perfectly willing to tell you where
your wife now resides. However, I need to know what you plan on
doing about the Countess. Not that it is any of my business, but
Lady Fiona is a very particular friend of mine and I do not wish to
see her heart broken one more time by your foolishness. I swear to
you, Cantin, if you insist on having the Countess de Lavallier as
your mistress, I will personally call you out.”

Robert waved him off. “The Countess means
nothing to me.”

“Are you sure? Lady Fiona is under the
impression she means a great deal to you.”

“I was drunk. Mary Elizabeth took me by
surprise. My heart belongs entirely to Fiona.”

Greenleigh heaved a sigh. “That is what I
tried to tell her, but she refused to listen.” He gave Robert a
measured look. “You have a fight on your hands, you know. Lady
Fiona is one of the most stubborn women of my acquaintance. I do
not believe she will take you back, Cantin.”

“That is what everyone has tried to tell me,
but I know my wife. I believe she will.”

“Do you, Cantin, do you really know
Fiona?”

Good question. “Yes. I believe I do. I know
that she loves me.”

“Aye. She does. But do you know what she
thinks? Do you know how she feels? Do you know, for instance, she
loves apple tarts? Or that yellow is her favorite color because it
reminds her of daisies. Do you know she wants to free all the
animals in the zoological gardens because she cannot bear to see
them locked up in cages. Do you know any of that?”

Greenleigh had him there. “I suppose you
do.”

“Yes, as a matter of fact, I do. Your wife
and I have spent many hours together over these last months while
you ignored her.”

“I did not ignore her for months,” Robert
sputtered. “I spent time with her.”

“Yes, in the company of strangers. At balls
and parties, showing her off as the Duchess of Cantin. She related
to me the only time you spent with her and only her, was during one
drive through the Park and you talked only of yourself. What you
wanted to achieve in this world before you die. Have you never
asked her what she wanted?”

Greenleigh had him there. “What about the
time we spent in Swansea?” he asked. “Did she not tell you of
that?” They were happy in Swansea, at least Robert thought so.

“Yes, she mentioned it, although it brought
back such sad memories for her, she refused to discuss it.”

He stood. “Where is she Greenleigh?” Robert
was losing his patience. He wanted his wife to come home.

Greenleigh rose from his chair. “I shall send
a messenger ‘round first thing in the morning with the
address.”

Robert clenched his fists. “I want my wife
back, and I want her in this house with me tonight.”

Greenleigh smiled. “Yes, and I’m sure she
would be delighted to do so while you are in that temperament. Look
at yourself, Cantin. Take a good long look and tell me if Fiona
would come home to you wearing this disposition.” He strode to the
door. “Collect your thoughts. Look at the situation from her point
of view, Cantin. She has been living under the threat of annulment.
She has been ignored, mired in scandal, set aside, and now made a
fool of by her husband. Choose your words very carefully. One slip
and you will lose Fiona forever.” Greenleigh nodded and walked
out.

Robert stood there feeling inept and in over
his head. Greenleigh knew more about his wife than he did. But he
had to admit, the Earl was right. He couldn’t go to Fiona is this
state, tired, angry, confused. He would have to wait until
Greenleigh sent the address anyway. He may as well get a good
night’s sleep.

Fiona woke to the church bells at St. Ann’s
ringing the morning’s devotions. She stretched and realized she did
not have the comfort of a water closet in this house. Well, she was
used to doing things the old-fashioned way and found her chamber
pot. Finished, she slipped on her robe and slippers and padded
downstairs where she found Merry already gathering a tray for
breakfast.

“Merry what are you doing?”

“Putting up a pot of tea, my lady. I’m afraid
there is no chocolate.”

Another thing Fiona would have to get used
to. “Yes, of course. Where is Eammon? Still abed?”

“Oh no, my lady. He dressed and was out a’
fore dawn. Said he wanted to go to Tattersall’s to see if there
were any cheap cattle for sale. Forgive me, your ladyship. I merely
mentioned to him what you said to the Earl yesterday about not
having your own carriage anymore. He thought he might be able to
secure something for ye’.”

A lump formed in Fiona’s throat. “How very
sweet of him to think of me in such a way.”

“Eammon would do anything for you, my
lady.”

Fiona sat down on the little stool and
watched Merry open the cabinets. “What are you looking for?”

“Food, your ladyship. The only thing I’ve
found so far is the tea, but no sugar.” She pulled down a jar and
looked at its shape. “I believe this may be honey, but I cannot be
sure.”

Fiona reached for it and pried off the lid.
Yes, it was honey, with dead insects and mold growing on top. She
sighed. “Well, after my tea, I believe we should make our way to
the grocery, and then to the mercantile. Make a list of what you
think we shall need. I will go up and dress.”

Fiona put on an old calico she had worn in
Scotland, and tied her hair back with a ribbon. She needn’t pretend
she was anything more than the Earl of Stewart’s daughter now,
although she supposed she would get better service if she looked
the part of a former duchess. She changed her gown and slipped into
a dark blue serviceable morning gown. She did her hair in a braid
and looped it around her head. Opening her mother’s jewelry box,
she fastened the pearls around her neck. There. She looked in the
cheval glass. Her black bonnet and mourning lace would invite no
questions from strangers.

Fiona made her way downstairs and as she
stepped into the hall, there was a knock at the door. Thinking it
was Eammon, she opened it wide and gaped at who stood there.
Robert!

“What are you doing here?” she asked. Her
heart beat a staccato in her chest.

“I came to talk to you.”

“Why?” What could he possibly have to say
other than a flimsy excuse over his behaviour, which she had no
intention of listening to.

“May I come in?” He bounced on the sole’s of
his feet.

“Merry and I were just setting off to the
grocer.” She stepped back from the door and allowed him to come in.
“I’m afraid I cannot offer you anything. There is not a stitch of
food in the house.”

“Have you not eaten then?”

She closed the door. “No. I took possession
yesterday and did not think about food as we had an early supper
with Greenleigh.” Fiona stared at her husband. He was thin, but
still incredibly handsome, and her fingers ached to touch his face.
“Robert, what do you want?”

Merry walked up the hall. “I am ready, my
lady Who was at the….” She stopped when she saw Robert.

“Good morning, Merry.” Robert said.

Merry sunk into a curtsy. “Good morning, Your
Grace.”

“Fiona tells me you were on your way to the
grocer,” Robert said.

Merry looked to Fiona and then back to
Robert. “Yes, Your Grace.”

Robert dug in his pocket, pulled out some
pound notes, and handed them to her. “Why do not you go along? I
will give you the use of my carriage as well, that way you will not
have to carry the bundles all the way back.”

“Robert, I cannot allow you to do such a
thing,” Fiona said.

“Why not? You are still my wife. It is a
husband’s duty to provide food for the table is it not? And I’m
sure you do not wish Merry to cart all the groceries back by
herself.” Robert opened the door and went down to speak with his
driver.

Merry looked at Fiona and held out the
money.

“No Merry, keep it. Do as he says. Take the
luxury of his carriage, as well. Robert and I must settle things
between us. It will be good that you are not here in case he
decides to shout at me.”

“Your ladyship,” Merry whispered. “I should
not like to leave you alone.”

“Merry, I can shout just as loudly as he. Do
not worry. I will be fine.”

Robert appeared on the stoop. “’Tis well and
settled. John will take you anywhere you wish.” He pulled a card
out of his jacket. “Why do not you go to Fortnum and Mason. I have
an account there. Give this to the clerk, do your shopping, and
they will deliver it.”

Merry gazed helplessly at Fiona.

“Run and get your things, Merry, and take a
basket. Perhaps there will be a few items we do not wish to have
delivered.” Like chocolate and apple tarts, she thought. Her
stomach growled.

Merry bobbed a short curtsy and fled to the
kitchen, picked up her pelisse and a basket, and ran out the front
door.

Fiona turned to Robert. “Would you care to
sit down?”

“I should like to see more of your house
first. It is very charming from the outside.”

“Very well.” He may as well see it. That way
he would be able to understand this was her home now

Robert smiled through the tour, and made all
the right noises as she pointed out the benefits of her quaint
morning room, and how the sun room by the back door would keep her
occupied for the rest of the summer. By the time they made it to
the dining room, Fiona had run out of glowing attributes for her
little house.

“And how is your bedroom? Is it adequate?”
Robert asked as they found themselves in the foyer once again. He
looked up the stairs.

“Yes, it is lovely. The morning sun is
Heavenly.”

“May I see it?”

Fiona blushed. “I do not think that would be
wise, my lord. Pray, why do you not sit, and you can tell me why
exactly you are here.” She deliberately walked to the arm chair in
the corner, leaving him the sofa.

Robert smiled as he sat down. “Fiona, I know
you are angry with me. I also know that any apology I should give
for my behaviour on the night of our ball would fall on deaf ears.
However, I will apologize anyway.” He took a deep breath. “Fiona, I
am heartily sorry for my actions, and I am begging you to forgive
me.”

Fiona squirmed in her seat. “Robert, that is
unnecessary. I know how overcome you must have been by the sight of
the Countess. I know your feelings run very deeply for her. As I
said in my note, I wish you great joy with her in the future.”