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Edward blinked, seeming a little taken aback. “You do?”

“Yes. And don’t worry, I understand now. You’ve built up walls around your mind and heart, and it would take a stronger woman than me to knock them down. I doubt that even Jane managed to do it.”

He bristled. “My marriage to Jane was?—”

“None of my business, yes, I know,” she interrupted, waving her hand dismissively. “You promised me a life as a spinster, and I shall begin on that life at once. Don’t worry, Edward. I shan’t bother you anymore. It’s too tiring.”

He stared at her for a long moment, bafflement clear in his eyes.

“Oh. Well. I’m glad to hear that.”

She nodded and half turned to go. Another thought occurred to her, and she turned back.

“Just promise me that you won’t turneverybodyanyway. Clarissa, for instance. She can be strange and far too possessive of you both, but I believe she cares for you. It’s your harsh behavior that pushes her away and makes her cling to you as though she might lose you.”

Edward rose to his feet. “What does Clarissa have to do with this? What are you talking about?”

Daphne sighed, shaking her head. “Nothing, nothing. It’s just… Well, she dislikes me. That is clear.”

“She does not dislike you. She is protective, certainly, but that is not a crime.”

Daphne tilted her head. “You don’t see, do you? I don’t blame you. I don’t blame Clarissa, either. She talked to me today, and I think I saw a different side of her. She’s already lost a child, and now she’s losing you and Alex day by day. That’s because of you, Edward. You are driving her away, and driving her todesperation.” She gave a short laugh, holding out her arms to the sides. “You’re driving usallto desperation.”

“I thought you said you were finished with offering unsolicited advice,” Edward snapped. “You are acting strangely, Daphne. I brought you here toapologize.”

She smiled faintly. “Don’t worry, Edward. This will be the last piece of advice I offer. Oh, except for one.”

“Do tell me,” Edward shot back sarcastically, dropping back into his seat. “I’m keen to hear your wisdom.”

Daphne only sighed. She was tired, a sudden, bone-deep, aching tiredness that made her want to sink to the ground and stay there. Now that her mind was made up, her strength had left her.

“If you won’t go horse riding with your son, Edward, at least play chess with him.”

She left without waiting to hear his reply.

CHAPTER 21

“What do you mean, she isn’t here?” Edward thundered.

He was aware that he was shouting, his voice entirely too loud for the small space. The poor maid, Joan, only flinched and fixed her eyes on the ground.

Father used to shout like this. He had us all cowering in the corners when he was in one of his rages.

An image flashed through his head, of himself trying to hide in a wardrobe, shaking. How old was he? Six? Seven? Younger than Alex. He remembered Clarissa pulling him out of the wardrobe, hustling him along the corridor, and whispering in his ear. Don’t worry, come and sit in my parlor, she would say. He won’t come in there, I bet.

Do I want to be like him?

He cleared his throat, deliberately forcing his voice down to a normal volume.

“Forgive me, Joan, I should not have shouted. Only, I don’t quite understand. You say that the Duchess has gone out? Where? It’s dark, and supper is on the table.”

Joan twisted her apron between her hands. “She made me promise not to tell you until you asked, Your Grace. And when I helped her pack, I kept saying?—”

“Wait. Pack?”

Joan swallowed audibly and nodded. “There’s a letter, too, Your Grace. She slipped it into your study right before the carriage was called. Told me to tell you that it would be there. You weren’t in at the time, on account of playing chess with Master Alexander. Her Grace seemed pleased to hear that you were doing that.”

Edward raked a hand through his hair and was horrified to find that his hand was shaking.