Page 26 of Duchess By Accident (The Matchmaker’s Scheme #5)

Chapter Twenty-Six

“ T hank you for being so accommodating. I feared that Duke Blackwood would be furious at us turning up unannounced.” Lady Isabelle clasped her hands together.

Natalie studied her as they walked through the gardens together. The day was so beautiful it had seemed a shame to be inside, but more than that, Natalie had wanted to ensure that any conversation they had would not be overheard.

It would seem my husband is rubbing off on me. The thought made her smile. She wondered how his ride with Peter was going. Natalie forced herself to return to the present.

“There was a time when he probably would have been, but this will give us time to get to know one another – after all, you are to be a part of the family.” She gave her a warm smile.

“That is true.” Lady Isabelle gave her a shy grin. “It feels strange to be back here after so many years. So much has changed and yet so much is the same.”

“What do you mean?” Natalie looked around them, trying to imagine what might have changed in the years since the woman had last been here.

Lady Isabelle pointed to the orchard. “Well, I remember when Claire planted those apple trees. She was so excited, but she never got to see them fruit. And now they are laden with the things.”

“I had not realised she had planted the apple trees.” Natalie glanced at the orchard. “Apple crumble is one of Melody’s favourite puddings.”

“It was Claire’s as well. Apple Trees were always her favourite plants. And foxglove, though I am glad to see that is gone. They always worried me for Melody’s sake.” Lady Isabelle shook her head, her lips forming a thin line of displeasure.

Natalie shrugged, managing to be significantly more gracious than she felt as she remembered Adrian’s guilt over the flowers. “Perhaps she did not know how dangerous they could be, very few people do.”

“I tried to tell her, but she was stubborn. She said that she would enjoy them while Melody was still young enough not to be able to move freely.” Lady Isabelle sighed.

“It is not an attitude I would take, not personally.” Natalie schooled her face into a neutral expression – it would not do to put the woman’s back up, not if she wanted answers.

“You are being diplomatic.” Lady Isabelle arched an eyebrow at her.

“Perhaps, though I fear it would do little good to speak ill of the dead. What is done is done.” Natalie let a beat of silence fall between them. “And what has remained the same?”

“The skyline. The village. The bed and breakfast where she met Ca-” Lady Isabelle’s eyes widened and she hastily said, “C-ca-Caroline. A friend who she met when she moved to Blackwood castle.”

Natalie saw the tension in Lady Isabelle’s shoulders, and the slight widening of her eyes before she managed to affix a smile to her face. So she knew about the affair.

“I suppose it is only natural to seek out companionship when one moves to a new area. I am grateful that my family do not live far from here, so that I may see them often.” Natalie watched the woman’s face, seeing the relief spread across it. She does not want to reveal her cousin’s shame.

That was promising. Natalie had suspected as much, after all. If Lady Isabelle had told anyone of her cousin’s infidelity, the rumours would have no doubt spread like wildfire. Secrets. Secrets.

“Yes. She was rather lonely before they met.” Lady Isabelle wrinkled her nose. “Though I did not care for—Caroline.”

“Oh?” Natalie widened her eyes. “Why?”

“I did not feel she was a good influence. My cousin lost herself in the friendship.” Lady Isabelle grabbed a fistful of her dress, frustration and anger clear on her face. “I tried to convince her to end it, but she would hear nothing against h-her. Perhaps if she had, things would have turned out differently.”

“It is hard to walk away from love, once you have discovered it.” Natalie said, studying Lady Isabelle.

The other woman stiffened. “What do you mean?”

“I think you know what I mean.” Natalie gave her a frank look.

Lady Isabelle straightened. “I would prefer to hear you say it.”

So the woman was not completely clueless. Natalie nodded. “Caroline was a man, and I suspect his name was not Caroline. The late Duchess fell in love with him. I had not realised they had met in the village, I do not think Adrian knows this.”

“You must understand, my cousin was not a bad person. She… She was desperately lonely. She spent all her life trying to be perfect and the Duke was hardly ever here. She had always been a good girl, but when she met Callum… Everything changed.” Lady Isabelle hugged her arms around herself.

She gestured around them. “It was like she was possessed. All she could do was speak of him. I told her she should stop it. That it was immoral, but she did not care. She wanted to run away with him. She even introduced us once.”

“Really?” Natalie’s eyebrows raised so high she feared they would disappear into her hair.

“I did not think much of him. He was rash and headstrong, as quick to love as he was to anger. He loved a good fight, and I think that dangerous quality was what drew her to him. It is what killed him in the end.” Lady Isabell hung her head.

“And she followed him soon after.”

“Foolish woman. I only hope God forgives her.” Lady Isabelle looked at her. “How do you know about the affair?”

Natalie gestured to the horizon. “Adrian told me. She left him a note telling him everything. I do not think he cared about the infidelity, but he sees what she did as abandoning her daughter.”

“It was in part because of her daughter that she did it. That was in her note to me.” Lady Isabelle said bitterly. “She said she reminded her too much of him, and that could not live with that. I always thought she looked like my cousin and to see her now, she is the spitting image of Claire at that age, save for her hair.”

But Adrian’s hair is black and why would Melody reminding the late Duchess of Adrian cause her to… The force of Natalie’s realisation hit her like a bullet and she stumbled, clutching at her stomach. Melody was not Adrian’s daughter.

Lady Isabelle had caught Natalie’s reaction and clapped a hand to her mouth. “Oh! You did not know! I did not mean… Oh God, I have put my foot in it now.”

Natalie wrestled her emotions under control. Perhaps the Duchess had not told Adrian in her note, perhaps he did not know. Please say he did not know. If anyone found out the truth, it would ruin her daughter’s life.

I must take control. Natalie took a steadying breath. “Have you told anyone else this?”

“No. Of course not. I have not even told Peter, and I have no intention of telling him.” Lady Isabelle looked utterly wretched. “That child has been through enough without that.”

“Good. And the letter? Where is it now?” Natalie asked.

“I keep it. I… I could not bear to throw it away. As much as I hate it…” Lady Isabelle touched a hand to her chest, as though making sure something was still there.

“You have it on you?” Natalie held out a hand. “Give it to me.”

“But…” Lady Isabelle stepped away from her.

“As long as that exists, Melody is endangered. I cannot allow that. Please, Lady Isabelle, give me the letter.” Natalie was prepared to wrestle it from the woman if necessary, to blackmail and threaten her, but she hoped it would not come to that.

Her thoughts must have shown on her face, because Lady Isabelle sighed and handed her a faded, well-worn piece of paper. “I suppose it was silly to keep. I have other more pleasant letters anyway. I have only used this to beat myself up.”

Natalie nodded, and slipped the letter into a pocket of her own. “Thank you.”

Lady Isabelle nodded but did not say anything. Natalie’s heart beat wildly. She glanced over her shoulder, in the direction of the ruins. The folded paper in her pocket seemed to burn.

How am I going to tell this to Adrian?

Natalie stared into the flames, watching as the letter curled into blackened ash before her. She was sitting in an armchair in Adrian’s study. All afternoon, she had been itching to destroy the thing. She had read it. She could not help it.

The letter was exactly as Lady Isabelle had said. There had been no mention of another letter to the Duke. Perhaps he did not know.

Unease stirred within Natalie. She thought of all of the times Adrian had been testy about Melody. How overprotective he was. The way he had closed up when she even mentioned the girl taking after a parent.

“There you are!” The sound of his voice brought her back to the present. “Lady Isabelle said you were feeling unwell, she and Lord Peter have just left.”

He rested a hand against her cheek, his eyes full of concern. He pressed his lips to hers, and sighed. “Though I am glad to say you do not look ill.”

Natalie wanted to lean into the tenderness of the moment, but she could not. All she did was nod.

He canted his head towards her. “Did you find out everything you needed to?”

Natalie let out a bitter laugh. “Yes.” And some things I wish I had not.

“We spoke of lots of things – I do not think she is like her cousin.” Natalie looked at Adrian, her heart twisting. If he does not know, will this break his heart? “She told me something else.”

“Oh?” She thought she saw him stiffen slightly.

“The letter she received from her cousin. It spoke of Melody’s heritage. You are not her father.” Natalie looked at Adrian, and saw the horror and anger on his face.

“It is true then.” She murmured, anger in her voice. “Why did you not tell me?”

Adrian strode past her, towards his desk and began rummaging in his drawers, not looking at her.

“Adrian, did you hear what I said?” Natalie moved to stand nearer him and he jerked away from her touch.

“I should have known. Adrian, you utter fool.” he breathed, his eyes wild like a cornered animal. “I must get that letter.”

Natalie tried to get his attention. “It is with me, or at least it was.”

“You had the letter?” Adrian moved towards her, grabbing her roughly. “Where is it now? Who have you sent it to?”

“You are hurting me.” Natalie wrenched herself from his grasp.

Her head was reeling, but it was not because he had grabbed her. His words had hit her like a slap to the face. Who have you sent it to?

“What do you want for your silence?” Adrian’s panic was clear in his eyes, but his voice was cool and unemotional.

“What do you mean?” Natalie took a step towards him.

He waved his chequebook in her face. “What do I need to give you to retrieve the letter? To keep this secret safe? Name it. Whatever you want, you shall have it.”

“Are you trying to buy my silence?” White hot rage filled her. She wanted to slap him, but she resisted. Let this be a dream.

“I am trying to ensure my daughter’s safety.” Adrian’s eyes met hers, the familiar blue staring into her soul.

At least, that was what she had thought. He does not trust me.

“Do you really think I would do something like that? Do you think I would do that to you? To Melody ? Is that what you think of me?” She shook, clenching her fists so tightly she was sure she would have the marks for days. “I trusted you.”

“Where is the letter, Natalie?” Adrian took a step towards her, menace in his voice.

Natalie shook her head, unable to look at him a moment longer. Her stomach twisted, bubbling violently. She thought she would be sick. “How little you must think of me.”

“I will not let you harm her.” He whispered. “Tell me where the letter is. I will give you whatever you want. Just tell me what you have done.”

“There is your damned letter!” Natalie gestured to the fire, to the curling ash.

“You destroyed it?” Adrian slumped against the table.

“Of course I did.” Tears streamed down Natalie’s face. “I love Melody. She is as good as my daughter. I loved you!”

“I… I thought…” Adrian looked as though someone had struck a blow to his head. “When you said…”

“I know what you thought.” Natalie spat. “You made that clear.”

She moved towards the door. He grabbed her hand, and she slapped him, the force of it stinging her fingers.

“Do not touch me.” She hissed.

“Natalie, please…” He released her, rubbing at his cheek.

“I trusted you, Adrian. I gave you my heart.” She sobbed. “I thought you trusted me. I thought you knew me.”

“I do trust you-” Adrian began anger and fear warring in his eyes.

“- clearly you do not, or you would not have done what you just did.” Natalie moved towards the door.

He growled in frustration. “I was only trying to protect my daughter.”

“Do not use her as a shield. You wish to control everything and everyone around you, and you say it is for her. But that is not true. The truth is you are a coward.” Natalie wrinkled her nose in disgust. “You are too scared to trust, and I cannot live like that.”

“What are you saying?” He took a step backwards. “You know how I feel about you. I lo-”

“- do not say it. Do not say it, Adrian. There can be no love without trust.” Natalie could scarcely see through the tears in her eyes. “I would never have told anyone. I will never tell anyone. But I will never trust you, not after this.”

“And you think I will trust you?” His eyes flashed in anger.

“I know you do not. So, I will do what you have always wanted. I am leaving, we shall have separate lives as per our agreement.” Natalie felt as though someone was tearing her heart from her chest. “Enjoy your solitude. I will write to arrange a time to see our daughter.”

“You are abandoning her, just like her mother.” Adrian spat.

“If you think that, then you truly do not know me at all.” Natalie looked at him with all the anger and pity she could muster, but her pain still bled through. “Goodbye, Adrian.”

She slammed the door, and strode away. Three times the fool.