Page 83 of Forever Her Bachelor

“Newt,” she called out, her gaze sweeping the floor of the kitchens for the gray and white cat.

“I’ll be sad to see him leave,” Mrs. Morris said, walking up to Pippa.

“He has been enjoying himself. I have barely seen him since we arrived.” Pippa looked down to find Newt coming toward her. “Is the carriage ready?” She knelt picking up the cat, taking comfort in his soft fur and rumbling purr.

“Yes, Your Grace, but the duke said you will not be leaving for another hour.” Mrs. Morris let out a heavy sigh, not hiding her frustration about their willingness not to stay on. “I do hope you will return soon. London most be very dull with everyone in the country.”

“Indeed.” Pippa gave the older woman a tight smile. “There’s been a change of plans. I am leaving now. His Grace is stayingbehind a little while longer.” Pippa turned and walked away, the housekeeper practically running to keep up with her.

The urge to move was constant; otherwise, she would stay and beg him to change his mind. She needed him to want to fight for them, not give up because of ghosts from the past. Their life needed to be about the future.

Mrs. Morris followed Pippa out of the kitchens. “Oh my, I was not aware.”

“Yes. I really must return to my aunt.” Pippa’s heart pounded, but she wouldn’t stay in his presence while he tortured himself and her by default.

After nine years of being separated against their wills, he was now the one to throw them aside, as if their last days together meant nothing. She was tired of letting people dictate her life.

No more.

As she strolled through the castle with her head held high, she promised herself that she would return one day, and she would be happy there. Unlike Charlotte, the former duchess, Pippa would not be tossed aside as if she were nothing.

That would not be her fate—not if she had anything to do about it.

CHAPTER 25

Dear Kitten,

You are not only my closest friend, but so much more.

Yours,

Chauncey (The Assistant)

An hour after his confrontation with his wife, St. Clara walked down the stairs of the castle, carrying a small bag with his mother’s journal and his father’s papers. He had searched for his wife in the duchess’s chambers, but she was nowhere to be found. Perhaps she was fetching Newton from the kitchens. The blasted feline had been missing since their arrival, and St. Clara couldn’t say he missed him in the least.

Massaging his throbbing temple, he thought of his next course of action. He needed to secure Pippa, Maggie, and the child once they were in London. Ignoring the sting in his eyes and the throbbing pain in his chest, he kept walking. It had to be this way. She would be fine without him. He was better alone, a wasteful bastard who only cared for himself.

The image of his wife’s heartbreak played repeatedly in his mind. He tried to pretend she meant nothing to him. The simple truth was that Pippa meant everything to him. He would rather live without her than fail her and their children.

When he reached the front parlor, it was empty—no signs of anyone to wish them farewell. He walked outside, finding the carriage gone and his wife still missing.

Before he could return to the house, Mrs. Morris walked out to him. “I am glad you decided to stay longer, Your Grace. I will miss the duchess and Newt greatly.”

A sinking feeling ran through him, his vision blurred. Clutching at his chest, St. Clara tried to breathe, but it felt as if something was lodged in his throat.

She was gone.

“W-When?” St. Clara gasped out the word.

“Your Grace, are you well?” Mrs. Morris asked him with wide eyes.

Placing his hand on the old castle walls, he struggled for air. Pippa had done exactly what he wanted. She left him to save herself.

He pressed his forehead into the castle, enjoying the cool brick against his skin. St. Clara was aware that Mrs. Morris was speaking to him, but his only thought was on the curse.

It had to be a curse for his once happy family to fall to pieces because of a lie.

“When did my wife leave, Mrs. Morris?” he asked, standing up to look at the older woman.