Page 33 of A Duke Reformed (Icy Dukes #3)

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

W eeks Later...

"I have only heard about the Duke of Walford in passing.

The information I have is that he is a recluse, and he is ruthless in his dealings.

Magnus Walford doesn't leave his estate, but his influence stretches further than most can imagine.

And now, he's looking to expand, looking to make a business venture.

That's why this meeting is so important, Solomon.

The man doesn't trust many. But he respects power. "

The meeting with Magnus couldn't have come at a better time.

After the turmoil of the past few weeks in London, the chance to leave the city and focus on something business-related felt like a welcome escape.

Solomon needed to clear his mind, and the prospect of securing a lucrative deal with someone as powerful as Magnus offered a sense of direction.

Without hesitation, he'd taken the opportunity to leave London behind, renting an estate close to Magnus' manor.

The quiet isolation of the countryside allowed him to retreat from the noise of the city, preparing for the meeting that was set to take place in a few days.

"Why did you get married, Andrew?" Solomon asked him changing the subject.

Andrew paused, clearly taken aback by the question. He shifted slightly, his eyes narrowing as he regarded Solomon, as though trying to gauge the seriousness of the inquiry.

"That's a rather personal question, Solomon," Andrew said, a wry smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "It is quite a long and eventful story. A fairytale if you would like."

"Summarize it," Solomon asked, interlocking his fingers on the table. "Why did you get married?"

Andrew sat back and crossed his arms. "Simple answer? Because I wanted to save someone I cared for. Another question you need to ask is why did I stay married, and the answer is simple. I fell deeply in love."

Solomon ran his fingers through his hair and sat back too, rapping his fingers on the table.

"Is there a reason you are asking, Your Grace?" Andrew asked, tilting his head to study Solomon's face.

"No," he answered plainly. "I was just curious, that is all."

Andrew leaned forward. "Solomon, you know how important this meeting with Magnus is.

It would solidify our position in the market, give us access to his resources, and open up new trade routes we've been eyeing for months.

This venture with Magnus is the linchpin to expanding our influence in the region.

You know the lay of this part of the world better than I do, and that's why I need you fully committed to this. "

"I am committed, Andrew," Solomon responded, though his voice lacked the usual enthusiasm.

"No, you are distracted," Andrew said. "You are brilliant, Solomon, but even brilliant men make mistakes when a woman enters their heart."

Solomon's gaze shot back to Andrew, his jaw tightening. "What exactly are you implying?"

"Did you and Emma have an argument?" Andrew questioned.

"I'm asking because you have not cracked a smile in weeks.

Now, I wouldn't be concerned if this was the Solomon I met about five months ago.

Back then, you smiled for no one. But that changed over time and now I fear that we are back to the cold, brutish duke. "

Solomon's frustration simmered beneath the surface as he processed Andrew's words.

He would have preferred an argument, something he could confront and resolve, something tangible to grasp.

But Emma had done something he hadn't expected.

She had quietly infiltrated his heart. He hadn't seen it coming, hadn't been prepared for how deeply she would affect him, and now, with the distance between them widening, he hated that she had slipped from his grasp.

It took him some time to realize that he was not angry, at least not in the way he thought he might be.

He was hurt. She had changed everything for him, made him question the very things he thought he understood about himself, about what he wanted in life.

But in the midst of the turmoil, he knew one painful truth.

He had to be happy for her. She had found someone, someone who could offer her the future he couldn't.

Still, it did not change the fact that deep down, he hated that she had found someone else, even though he knew he had no claim to her.

The very thought of the situation made his skin crawl. Lord Pembleton proposing to Emma? That spineless man? Did he touch her? Did he dare kiss her? Did he whisper promises in her ear and pretend to know her heart?

Solomon pinched the top of his nose, willing himself to calm down. "I'm just tired, Andrew," he said, a little too curtly. "But you have nothing to worry about. I am fine. This isn't my first business meeting, dear friend."

Solomon clenched his jaw. Even though he kept reminding himself that she wasn't his, it still angered him. She had never been his, yet the mere idea of another man claiming her made him want to break something.

"All right," Andrew said and rose to his feet, seeming to have noticed Solomon's tone.

"I believe you. I will get some rest now.

It was a rather tedious journey. But just so you're aware, my wife will be joining us in a few days.

She's wrapping up business in London and insisted on coming up here once that's done. "

Solomon gave a slow nod. "That's fine, Your Grace. It's a big estate."

"That's not all," Andrew added, pouring himself a drink.

"Victor might be stopping by as well. The Duke of Ravenmoor.

He should be in the area, also on business and he said he might pass through, depending on the weather and his mood.

Then, there should be one of two other acquaintances that will stop by just to discuss business. "

"Andrew, I said it's fine," Solomon said, feeling hot all of a sudden. "Invite anyone you like."

Andrew widened his eyes and mellowed. He stopped to down the contents of his glass before speaking again.

"Aren't you going to get some rest too? We might not have too much to do tomorrow, but we still need to go over the proposal again before meeting with Magnus, and you seem like you could use some sleep," Andrew finished, setting the glass down with a soft clink.

Solomon shook his head. "I think I'll stay here in the study for a bit before calling it a night."

Andrew eyed him, as if debating whether to press further, but ultimately just offered a wry smile. "All right. But... Solomon, try not to empty the bottles of brandy. Control yourself."

Solomon scoffed. "Thank you for your concern, Your Grace. But I won't be drinking."

"You're just going to be thinking?"

"Yes," he answered.

"About?" Andrew couldn't resist pressing.

"Go to bed, Andrew," Solomon spoke. "I'll see you in the morning."

Andrew was long gone by the time Solomon blinked. Solomon stared at the bottle on the table, contemplating if he wanted to take even a sip. Reluctantly, he decided not to. He rose to his feet and walked to the back of his chair, staring out the small window and into the horizon.

It had taken him longer than he cared to admit to even recognize what was happening to him. How subtly Emma had crept beneath his skin. It had been unprecedented. Even he could not explain how it happened.

But it did. That ball had changed everything.

Now Emma was all he could think about. She had taken up residence in his thoughts, uninvited, and made herself impossible to ignore.

The kiss had undone him. It had sealed what he'd been too proud, too afraid to admit.

He cared for her. Deeply. More than he should. More than he'd ever intended.

But Solomon hadn't yet decided what to do with the feelings that had crept up on him.

He had not reached the point where he could admit to himself.

..much less to her what she had come to mean to him.

He had been buying time, telling himself he'd figure it out eventually.

He always did. But now...he didn't have to.

Emma was engaged. She had moved on, made her choice, and that spared him the burden of having to make any difficult decision at all.

It should have felt like relief.

Instead, it felt like the walls were closing in on him. He felt fury and guilt. It was ruining him.

"I'm pregnant!"

Emma froze for a split second before her smile widened. "Lavinia! That's wonderful news!" she gasped with wide eyes, setting her teacup down. "My goodness, I am so happy for you."

"Thank you," Lavinia answered, giggling as she fiddled with her teacup.

"Andrew does not know yet. He's currently in Northen England with Solomon for a business venture.

I'll be meeting him there. We'll spend a few days in the countryside enjoying the peace and tranquility.

But I'm not quite sure. Should I tell him we're expecting before or after his meeting? "

Lavinia set her teacup down as she continued. "Apparently, they are meeting a mysterious businessman there called the Duke of Walford. Andrew has never met the man. He rarely leaves his estate in the countryside..."

Lavinia's words trailed off as Emma settled into her own thoughts.

Nothing had truly changed, not in the way that mattered.

Life had continued, yes. She woke each morning, said her prayers, knitted, visited her friend, and continued attending Season's events.

On the surface, she was functioning, perhaps even thriving. But beneath it all, the ache remained.

The distance she had created between herself and Solomon had been necessary.

It was the only way she could breathe without feeling as though the air was stolen from her lungs.

Without the intensity of his presence or the complication of his gaze, she had begun to sleep better at night.

Her heart no longer thudded in painful protest when she walked into a room wondering if he'd stand too close to her again.