Page 77 of His Duchess' Mischief

But there was a doubt at the very back of her mind.

What is in those letters? And what has he been searching for?

CHAPTER 24

When Alicia arrived home, she was restless from her encounter with Bridget and Katie, glaring at the ground as she alighted from the carriage and marched inside.

She was not expecting to encounter Seth as soon as she entered the house and came up short upon seeing him in the entrance hall.

Her heart stuttered as he turned around, an eyebrow rising as he dismissed the butler and walked over to her.

“You are back early. I thought you would return much later.”

“Yes. I… I had a headache on the journey and decided to return.”

His brow creased. “Are you unwell?”

“No, no, it is passing now. Too much sun, perhaps. Where is Dove?”

“She is running about in your bedroom and causing the maids great distraction, according to the butler.”

His gaze was assessing, watching her carefully as she shifted her weight from one foot to another.

“If you are up to it, I have something that I wish to show you.”

A shiver ran down her spine. A chill she had not felt in his presence before.

Blast Katie and Bridget and their stories. I am beginning to suspect my husband of the unthinkable!

“It is just outside.”

He looked like a boy again, excited and practically buzzing with energy.

Alicia shrugged. “I am sure a turn about the grounds would do me good.”

Without hesitation, he took her hand and tugged her out of the house.

Alicia went willingly, watching the play of shadows over his back as they passed beneath a stone arch and headed to the woods.

Her pulse quickened as they neared them, and she was half expecting him to lead her down to the clearing again. But instead, he walked to the little bridge he had shown her before.

There was a quietplopas they reached the water and a spatter of drops.

“My God, was that a kingfisher? I have not seen one on my lands for an age.”

She watched the light dancing in his eyes, trying to see the darkness her friends were so sure existed within him.

“Are you all right?” he asked. “You look very pale.”

He raised a hand to her cheek, as though to brush the back of it against her skin. Alicia didn’t know what made her move, but suddenly she found herself stepping away from his caress, cursing inwardly as the light in his eyes dimmed.

“I am all right,” she said hastily.

Seth nodded, but he slowly released her hand. He rubbed his fingers together, a crease forming between his eyebrows.

“It is this way,” he said, his voice a little sharper now.

Alicia followed behind him, her hands fisted in her skirts, guilt and fear rising within her as she considered what her friends had said.