Page 22 of His By Sunrise (Disreputable Dukes of Club Damnation #3)

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L ater that afternoon

Near teatime, Edwin was again interrupted in his study by the butler.

“I apologize once more, Mr. Coatesville. However, the Duke of Thornton is here, and he would like to speak with you.”

“What?” Why the devil was Cecil Benningfield here of all places?

The man was much like a ghost at Club Damnation, for ever since he’d returned home from the war with Napoleon, he’d been a changed man.

Not physically, for he didn’t exhibit injuries or scars, but mentally and possibly spiritually.

“Thornton is here?” The last Edwin had heard, the duke had retreated to his country estate and wanted nothing else to do with anyone—including his new bride.

“He is, sir. I’ve shown him into the drawing room.”

“Thank you. Where is Lady Charlotte?”

“She is currently in the servants’ hall, chatting with the housekeeper and whatever staff is down there at this time of day.”

That was interesting. Usually, daughters of earls as powerful as Everfield never concerned themselves with the servants, and they certainly never spent time with them merely to talk with them.

His admiration for her rose. “Very well. There is no need to inform her of Thornton’s visit.

I don’t believe they’ve been introduced, in any event, and he’s probably here to lecture me. ”

One of Franklin’s eyebrows rose, but he was too polite to ask any questions.

“I’ll go up right now. I rather doubt he’ll want tea, but if he does, I’ll ring for you.”

“Of course, sir.” Then he left Edwin to his thoughts.

This day had certainly been full of interruptions, but he didn’t mind the one with Charlotte.

Each time he thought about her, a grin tugged at the corners of his lips.

She had the uncanny ability to bring calm and order into his world, and seeing her smile made all the struggles he’d gone through over the years worthwhile.

By the time he arrived in the drawing room, the last vestiges of annoyance brought on by his visitors earlier today had all but vanished.

“This is quite the surprise, Thornton, but welcome to Wildflower Cottage.” That had been its name when he’d acquired it, and he hadn’t the heart to change it, for it was idyllic enough, and Charlotte had adored it.

The man standing at one of the windows slowly turned about.

Though he didn’t grin, there was a flash of interest in his blue-gray eyes, and the afternoon sunshine turned his blond hair the color of molten gold.

His wide shoulders and broad chest spoke to physical strength, but the way he held himself ramrod straight, the lines of strain or worry that framed his eyes and mouth betrayed a quiet strength that no one except those who knew him best would see.

“It’s been an age since I’ve seen you, Nottingham.”

“It has.” Edwin nodded as he crossed the room and then shook the other man’s hand.

“Since Eggleton sent me out here to check on you, I won’t ask you how you’ve been during the past two years. Clearly, there has been some scandal or on-dit involved.”

He couldn’t help but snort. “You could say that.” When he ushered the duke over to a grouping of furniture, he sat on a winged back chair. “What of you? Leading a blissful life in the country where nothing ever happens?”

“That is the hope.” His mouth was set into a hard line.

“I am learning how to keep bees if you can believe it. One of the times I was injured in France, I stayed with a family who had two young sons. Those boys kept bees, and I was fascinated. During my recuperation—while they hid me from French soldiers on patrol—I often went out with the boys when they tended to the hives. I promised myself that if I survived the war and if I was able to return to England, I would take the necessary steps to keep my own bees. For peace of mind.”

When the duke removed his kid gloves, Edwin was able to see some of what the war had left behind on the man, for a network of scars covered the backs of his hands, and on his left palm, an imprint of some sort of medallion or medal was forever burned into the skin.

“Are those some of the reasons for your decision to hide away in the country?” Perhaps it wasn’t well done of him to ask, but he was curious, and he didn’t know the other man all that well.

“They are.” Again, he glanced out the window, as if somehow connecting with the out of doors was a balm for his soul.

“These are merely the ones you can see.” Slowly, he put his focus back on Edwin.

“War is hell, my friend. If anyone tells you otherwise, it’s a lie.

War is no good for anyone. And those in charge, who remain safe in their fancy houses with their rich foods make the rest of us go in their stead to do their horrible deeds.

” He shook his head and seemed a bit green about the gills.

“War is hell; it changes us all, sometimes not in good ways.”

“I understand that all too well.” He, himself, had changed, but not all changes were bad. “What of your wife?”

The duke shrugged. “What of her? She has her life; I have mine.”

A bit of shock moved through Edwin’s chest. “You left her?”

“I couldn’t seek my own peace while trying to keep her happy!” The explosion echoed in the room. He quickly apologized. “I’m sorry. Something had to give in the relationship. The marriage was collateral damage.” With a huff, he waved a hand. “I am not here to have you analyze my union.”

“Fair enough. Why are you here, then? What the hell is being tossed from the gossip mill in London if Eggleton was worried enough to send you?” This didn’t bode well.

Thornton rested an ankle on a knee. “Well, for one, did you kidnap your former wife?” The intense stormy gaze pinned Edwin to his chair.

Heat rushed up the back of his neck. “I did.”

The duke glanced to the door. “Is she here?”

“She is engaged with the servants at present.” A twinge of unease shot down his spine. “I suppose you wish to know why.”

“I do.” He nodded. “But because I wish to be away and back on my own property, I’ll get right to it. Are you still in love with Lady Charlotte? Is that why you took her? You thought forcing her into your proximity would somehow win her back?”

Damn, the man was clever as well as insightful.

“To put it bluntly, yes.” Edwin blew out a breath.

“That is exactly what I thought. Also, there were things we needed to discuss, and she’d been avoiding me since the divorce, which was something I didn’t agree to.

” He remained silent for a few moments. “I wanted her away from her parents, away from that blackguard who wishes to court her, to discover if there are feelings, indeed, between us.”

“And?” One of the duke’s bushy blond eyebrows rose in question.

“I am still in love with her. Now more than ever,” he admitted in a soft voice. “Was I angry with her when the divorce happened? Yes. Did it take years for me to get over her? Also yes, but I never forgot her, I never lost hope that she might come back...”

“But when she didn’t, you reacted in anger.”

“No, when I saw her with Lord Danville, after what he did, I promised myself I wouldn’t let him have her.

” He shoved his hands through his hair. “She’s mine, Thornton.

She is my wife. I want my family back, to build upon it after we apparently lost a child six years ago.

” His voice wavered. “I want to be a husband again.”

“Yet have you learned anything along the way? Are you brave enough to take responsibility for your part in the break?”

He snorted. “Are you?”

“Touché.” The duke nodded. “It’s difficult, these decisions we make that are logical to our brains, but seem stupid or dangerous to others. When all along, we merely wish to keep the ones we love safe and secure the best we know how.”

“Yes.” Edwin nodded, a bit in awe of the other man. “But I don’t know if it’s influencing Charlotte. I fear she might only be using me for what I can give her carnally.”

“You’ve fucked her, then?” Shock moved through Thornton’s expression.

“At least a few times since we’ve arrived here.” He couldn’t help his smug grin. “With her, in that way? It’s very nearly perfect, but I am also aware that we can’t base a union on just that. We need to learn how to work as a team.”

“Then you are well on your way to having your dream, my friend.” Again, he rested his gaze on Edwin. “You aren’t hurting her, are you?”

“No, of course not. I respect her too much.”

“Do you believe she’ll come ‘round to a romance with you again?”

“Why, do you have a wager on it?”

“I do not. In fact, I didn’t know anything about that.

” The duke shrugged. “I merely wish to be certain you aren’t about to damage yourself or lose yourself to a dark time where you were after the divorce.

” He lowered his voice. “Quite frankly, when you’re lost to your own mind and its puzzles, it is far too difficult to pull yourself from it without help. ”

“I am trying not to, but without Charlotte...” He let his words trail off, for they both knew the rest of that statement.

“Understandable.” Thornton sighed. “Will you declare your feelings?”

“When I’m ready.”

“It might prove too late by then. Don’t be a coward a second time, Nottingham. Time is too short for that.”

“You might be right at that.” Slowly, he nodded. “I shall think about it.”

“Eventually, you’ll have to come back to London with her.”

“I know.”

“And by then, you might not have the chance to risk it all.”

“I am aware.” God, why was this so difficult?

Then the duke stood. “Since you aren’t in mortal danger, and you aren’t holding the lady hostage—are you?

” When Edwin shook his head, Thornton continued, “And you haven’t fucked yourself into a stupor, I shall take my leave.

Be sure to write if you plan to marry her a second time. I should like to witness that.”

“I will, of course.” Then he stared at the empty spot the duke vacated, for he had much to think about.