Page 93 of Claiming his Cursed Duchess

Genevieve snorted. “I am notexcusingAdam. I am not acquainted with him. But Iamacquainted with you, and you are not happy here. You have not been happy even when you told me you were glad to be rid of him.”

Rosaline returned to her seat, staring out at the cloudless sky.

It is such a beautiful day. I wonder what the weather is like in London.

Genevieve took her hand once more. “Do you want to distance yourself from him forever, or find out what he truly wants? From what little you have told me, he seems to care for you—even if he has made his fair share of idiotic mistakes. Running away will only get you so far. It cannot resolve anything.”

Rosaline smiled faintly. “Perhaps you are right,” she said softly. “I cannot resolve anything here, but I am not yet ready to return to London. I will go to Oldstone and have a few days alone to clear my head.”

Genevieve squeezed her hand. “If you choose to do so, then so be it, but it is quite far, and you will need to rest on the way. There is an inn called The Black Heart where you can break your journey. I will not have you traveling through the night as you did when you arrived.”

Rosaline nodded. “You are always taking care of me.”

“As is my duty as the older cousin. And with that in mind, luncheon is served, and I shall see you eat more than a square of toast before you go. Come along.”

Genevieve pulled Rosaline bodily from her seat, and she laughed as her cousin dragged her downstairs.

Even if Adam turns his back on me forever, I am lucky to have such a loving—albeit forceful—family.

Night pressed in at the windows as Adam sat in his chair before the empty fire, a glass of whiskey in his hand. He did not know how many he had drunk.

A knock sounded at the door as the butler entered quietly carrying his supper. Adam did not move as the man took away the untouched tray from the morning and replaced it with a steaming bowl of stew and bread.

He listened to the quiet clinking and rustling as the butler laid everything out and then left him to his solitude.

The ache in Adam’s leg was far worse than usual tonight, throbbing painfully even as he rubbed at it.

If Rosaline were here, she would no doubt force some more of that liniment on me.

He drank a healthy swallow of whiskey, glowering at his leg.

Has she taken the bottle with her? Perhaps I can find it in her chambers.

His eyes moved to the ceiling, a shudder of unease rushing through him as he considered going into her rooms. Doubtlessly, they would smell of her, and he would be quite overcome with misery again.

Damn my idiotic mind that cannot let her go.

He had received a short note confirming that Rosaline had arrived at Ravenshire, but nothing more.

He rubbed a hand over his face, wincing as he shifted position, and his back and leg protested violently after sitting still for so long.

I should be elated. This should be a wonderful day.

He had won. He had finally beaten Claridge and almost knocked the man senseless for good measure. Henry was safe, his future was secure, everything should have been perfect.

Yet he could not share his relief with the one person he wanted to. Rosaline now knew Claridge’s blackmail had led to their marriage.

How will I ever convince her that I want her to stay because of who she is, not some bargain I made with such a man?

“My God, the rumors are true. A monster resides within.”

Adam jolted at the voice from the doorway as Phineas entered without knocking and strode inside.

He came to stand in front of Adam, staring down at him with a deeply unimpressed expression.

“I hear that your bride has abandoned you, old sport. What did you do, strike up another bargain with the dark powers and create a curse to destroy yourself?”

“Go to the devil,” Adam muttered angrily.