Page 89 of Ruined By the Northern Duke

Three days passed by the time Helena came to search for her in the library.

“You’re not even reading,” she scolded gently, coming to sit beside her. “Whatever are you doing here, away from all the fun?”

“I’m not interested in archery right now.”

Helena tsked. “You would be if you saw how easy it is to laugh at some of them. It’s not that difficult. I could teach you if you like.”

Verity managed a wan smile. “No, thank you. But I’m glad to hear you have been enjoying yourself.”

“Oh, I have,” Helena said with a warm grin. “There is no fault to be found in joy. That’s what I like to say. You used to say that as well, but I’ve never seen you so melancholy. Not since your father passed. Will you talk to me, Verity?”

“I don’t know what I would say,” Verity answered apologetically. “I don’t even know myself.”

Eyeing her carefully, her friend asked, “Then what do you know?”

It was a question that made Verity think deeply. Tristan came to mind.

She gave a slight shake of her head before it came to her. “I know I don’t belong here. I never should have intruded on your fun, Helena. You’re too generous a hostess. But I think it’s time I leave. I want to see the countryside. I want to be with my aunt.”

“Then you’ll be where you were already,” Helena pointed out with a slight frown. “You’re going backward, darling. You’re not supposed to do that.”

“The fresh air will do me good,” Verity corrected her. She had considered the idea, but it hadn’t felt right. Hiding here wasn’t right. “Might I use your carriage, my dear?”

An exaggerated sigh escaped her friend. “Already you wound me. First, you desired to leave my side, and now you’re running away. I’ll be absolutely miserable without you. But very well. Tomorrow, I suppose? Sunrise?”

“That would be much appreciated.”

The two of them rose to their feet and held hands as they faced each other, smiling. Verity didn’t know what she had done to deserve someone as good as Helena. She was truly indebted to the woman.

“Then I shall say farewell now because you know how I abhor public goodbyes. Do be careful. Write to me at once and let me know how dear Eugenia fares—if the witch still breathes.”

It was a joke, though Verity knew Helena and Eugenia had never gotten along particularly well. Yet they were similar in many ways.

“And Verity?”

She paused. “Yes?”

“Will he come for you? Do you… Do you want him to?” Helena asked hesitantly.

The questions were the same as those that lived in Verity’s heart. They hovered over her head in her every waking moment. She knew what answers she wanted, but the truth… She didn’t know.

The answers scared her either way.

“It doesn’t matter,” she said. “I think.”

CHAPTER 29

Tristan wandered the gardens in search of something. What it might be, he didn’t know. The sun was shining, and all of the flowers were blossoming. It was beautiful. A splendid masterpiece.

Except none of it felt right.

“How does it all still look so dull?” he asked himself, aggravated.

Up popped a head from a nearby bush, startling him.

Tristan cursed before correcting himself. “My apologies. Mr. Wagoner, good morning.”

“Fourth time this week you’ve been out here,” the gardener noted while squinting up at him. “You’ve seen every flower by now. In the rain and sun. Which particular flowers do you believe to be dull?”