Page 24 of His Graceful Duchess (A Lady’s Vow #3)

CHAPTER 24

“ H as the Duchess returned?”

It was the first thing that Evan inquired of his butler that morning—not about the work but her. She had been gone for two days now, having left without saying goodbye and only leaving a note that said she needed to be around family and would return when she felt better.

Evan had crumpled up the note and thrown it in the trash immediately. His frustration was immense, but there was little he could do.

Isadora had decided to remain angry with him. Justifiably so in her head, but to him, she was asking the impossible. They had reached a crossroads.

“Not yet, Your Grace,” the butler replied politely.

“Very well. See to it that you let me know when she does,” he instructed, “or else I might have to go and collect her myself.”

He muttered the last part under his breath. If she kept this up for much longer, he would have no choice but to go and retrieve her.

How long can a duchess stay removed from her duke, no matter what the argument?

“That will be all,” Evan dismissed the butler, and turned back to his desk to focus on his work. But it was no use, he was already too distracted.

He glanced around the room—Isadora had changed the entire place. In all his years of occupying the study, he had not once thought to change it,but Isadora knew instantly what he had needed, even before him.

She knew better.

A thought entered his mind. What if she was right about having children, too? Was it only something he was denying himself out of spite?

He exhaled through his nose, rubbing a hand over his face. This was not how things were supposed to be. Their marriage was meant to be uncomplicated, serving a single purpose of him being taken more seriously in the business community.

But how quickly everything had turned upside down.

The truth was that he missed her. Despite their differences, he hated being away from her. In the mornings, he found himself expecting to hear her voice drifting through the halls. Every evening, he glanced toward the dining table, half-expecting her to appear at his side, only to be met with her absence.

It was maddening.

He had been so certain that putting distance between them was for the best, that time apart would cool her frustration and allow her to see reason. But all it had done was make him realize just how much he loathed an empty house.

And, even worse, how much he loathed himself for being the reason she had left.

With a sigh, he reached for the glass again, bringing it to his lips.

She had wanted a future. A family. A life together that was more than just obligation and propriety. And he had denied her.

“How can I change everything that I have ever believed at such short notice?” he mused out loud to himself.

He had sworn that the cycle would end with him. That his father’s name would end when he died. But the way that Isadora had looked at him that night had made something dangerous creep into his resolve.

Something like doubt. Or perhaps regret.

What if she knows better than I do?

His grip tightened around the glass as he shook the thoughts away and bowed his head down on the table.

If agreeing to her demands was the only way to bring her back into his life, would he agree to them?

The sound of hurried footsteps outside the study door made him lift his head, interrupting his frantic train of thought.

“Your Grace.”

The butler entered, looking alarmed.

Evan frowned, sitting up straighter. “I do not wish to be disturbed at this moment.”

“Your Grace, I apologize profusely. But you have an urgent visitor,” he explained, “Lady Penelope has come to see you, and she claims that you must meet her immediately.”

“Penelope?” Evan stood up immediately. “Send her in.”

Moments later, the doors slammed open and in followed a worried Penelope. The sight of her alone was enough to make him tense as it was entirely unexpected.

“Is she here?” Penelope asked, alarmed, her eyes wide. Her hair was out of place, and the way that her breath raged on made it seem like she had run here.

“What are you talking about?” Evan said, too alarmed to be offended by the crass manner in which she had entered. “Is everything all right?”

Immediately, his mind went to Isadora, and he felt his stomach sink. Something was wrong.

“Isadora,” Penelope replied. “If she’s not here, then where is she?”

“You would know better. She came to visit you,” Evan said, waiting for her explanation. His fists curled at his sides.

Penelope’s face went pale.

“This was my last hope. She…” she stammered. “We went to the park together, and Isadora departed for a lone walk. We waited for her, but she never returned.”

“What do you mean she never returned?” Evan’s voice rose.

“We suspect that she has gone missing,” Penelope admitted, panicked. “We have searched the grounds, sent word to the staff, and still, nothing. I thought that she might have returned to the estate, as a last hope, but it is clear that you know nothing about her whereabouts either.”

“And you waited until now to tell me this?”

Penelope’s expression hardened. “I came the moment I realized she was truly nowhere to be found. I had hoped she was simply avoiding you, but it seems the situation is far worse than that.”

A sharp pang of guilt twisted in Evan’s gut though he did not allow it to show. “Tell me everything,” he said, trying to keep his anger in check.

He needed to find a solution, and yelling at Penelope would only hinder the progress.

Penelope exhaled, clearly straining to maintain her composure.

“We were out together earlier today—Daphne, Violet, and me. Isadora seemed… not quite herself, but she insisted she only needed some fresh air. She left for a walk alone, and at first, I thought nothing of it. But then she never came back. When we retraced her steps, we found nothing. No sign of her.”

A terrible weight settled over him. Isadora was stubborn, but she was not foolish. If she had not returned, something had gone terribly wrong.

“You realize this is your fault, don’t you?” Penelope continued on.

“My fault? ” Evan said, startled. “She was with you, and you let her out of your sight.”

“Oh, no. You know exactly what I mean. You have made her miserable, Evan. I never wanted this marriage for her, but she insisted, and now, look what has happened. You have driven her away.”

A knife twisted inside him at the accusation.

“I knew something was wrong with her though she would not tell us,” Penelope said. “She left to clear her head because of you. And now, she is gone, and you are sitting here unbothered.”

“You dare assume that I am not bothered by this?” Evan’s nostrils flared.

“I think,” Penelope said, stepping closer, “that you do not know what to do with a woman who loves you. And now, when she needs you the most, you are standing here debating with me instead of going out there and finding her.”

“Enough,” Evan stopped her there. He grabbed his coat, already moving toward the door. “I will find her.”

Penelope followed him, her anger now mingled with worry. “You had better because you are the cause of all this.”

With that, they left together. Now was not the time for arguing or issuing blame. Evan could only think of one thing, as all sorts of wayward thoughts begin to enter his mind.

Please be safe.