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The castle suddenly felt empty and haunted the moment Eveline left, and William knew it was only because he missed her.

I must leave for Bath at once.

He was certain that a change in scenery was what he needed. He believed he would feel better in Bath.

CHAPTER 24

Eveline felt numb when the carriage finally pulled up to Notley Manor. She had tried to cry in the carriage, but she had been unable to. Even now, as the carriage stopped in front of her childhood home, she was still numb.

Even though she was still confused by the events of the day, there was one thing that she knew for certain—she would never return to her husband’s home.

She had instructed her lady’s maid to pack only the important items she needed, and that was only because she would be sending her father’s servants to retrieve her remaining belongings in a few days.

Before all that, however, she needed to face her sisters and tell them what had happened.

She felt like a failure as the driver helped her out of the carriage and walked her to the front door.

One of her father’s footmen was waiting by the door, and even though his face remained impassive, he seemed to be surprised to see her.

“The Duchess of Mayfield!” he announced.

Eveline realized the irony of it all.

The footman had just announced her with a title she had acquired after she married a man who no longer wanted her.

She was met with a commotion the moment she stepped into the house.

“Eveline is here?” she heard Stella ask right before her youngest sister came barreling towards her.

If she had not been holding on to the driver, she would have fallen to the floor. Even then, she staggered and had to hold on to him with both hands.

“Did someone say Eveline?” Ava’s voice called.

Her elder sister still maintained some decorum upon seeing her. A sharp contrast to her rather excited younger sister.

Ava furrowed her brow in confusion. “You did not send a message to inform us of your visit, Eveline.”

Eveline was just about to respond to her sister when some of the footmen began to file in with her trunks.

“What are those?” Stella asked.

“Eveline, can you tell me what is happening?” The curiosity in Ava’s eyes had now given way to panic. “Is there a reason you are still holding on to the driver, Eveline? And why are your eyes red as though you have been crying your eyes out?”

Seeing the concern in her sister’s eyes almost drove Eveline to tears. She knew her sister would be heartbroken when she finally told her what had happened.

“Why don’t we discuss in the drawing room?” she suggested.

“Follow me, then,” Ava said, leading the way to the drawing room.

Eveline, on the other hand, still had to hold on to the driver as she followed her sister.

Ava had barely taken four steps when she suddenly turned around.

“Thank you for your help,” she said to the driver. “You can leave now.”

With that, the driver left, and Eveline had no choice but to shift the weight of her body to her other leg before she held on to Stella for support.

“Did you hurt your leg, Eveline?” Stella asked.