Page 27 of The Duke’s Return (Dukes of the Compass Rose #2)

A fter a restless night of little sleep, Genevieve still found energy to rise from her bed. She let Elodie dress her in her least favorite morning dress before taking her leave to enjoy the usual morning stroll.

The fresh air was a needed respite. She relaxed her shoulders and left the gardens to explore the front of the manor.

They would most likely have rain that evening, she decided on her stroll. But for now, she enjoyed the blustery day. There was a shawl over her shoulders and a bonnet on her head for protection, so she felt as though she could walk all the way across England if she felt like it.

Slowing down, she paused as she felt the ground beneath her rumble. It only took a moment for the cause of it to appear from around the gate close by, where a rider moved in her direction.

Genevieve’s heart near jumped out of her throat. She hastily clutched her shawl and hurried out of the way since the rider was driving his horse at a fair speed.

But then he gazed up to find her there, and began to slow down. Annoyance washed over Genevieve since her walks were supposed to be quiet and comfortable. Not filled with strangers interrupting her.

“Good morning, Your Grace,” he called cautiously, doffing his hat. His horse nearly came to a halt too soon, so he had to nudge the beast a little more forward. “You are indeed the Duchess, are you not?”

Seeing as his horse was large, he had to be tall and strong to manage it. The finely cut clothing was enough to classify him as a lord. But the tousled hair and sharp dark eyes weren’t enough for her to recognize the man.

She gave a wary nod. “Yes, the Duchess of Southwick. Good morning to you as well. Have you traveled far?”

“Very good. It has been a time since we have met, and I had to rely on prior notes for your appearance. I do believe you are quite the same as you were on your wedding day,” he said in a practiced tone.

“It was unexpected to hear that you and the duke were taking leave of London so soon after his return.”

“Yes, well, we wished to have some privacy and to enjoy the country,” Genevieve managed to say.

It was difficult for her to focus as she was trying to place him. The man clearly knew of her. But who was he? Everyone now had to know where she and her husband were, which meant this rider could be anyone. Was he here to assess her husband or their assets? Was he here to judge? Or to be a guest?

I don’t believe Julian would invite a guest without warning me. Would he?

“Julian, privacy?” The man’s lips twitched. “What a notion.”

So he knew her husband. She gave a cautious nod. There was a pause as they looked at one another and she had the feeling he was waiting for her to say something. It seemed her walk was over, she realized, and she took a step back while trying to smile.

“I cannot guarantee my husband is available at this time,” she said at last. “Was your visit expected? What is the purpose of your visit?”

“Ah, I have not said… A thousand apologies, my lady.” The man glanced about before decidedly sliding from the saddle on the other side.

He grasped the reins and circled his horse to reach her, offering a slight bow.

“Fortunately, my wife Verity is not here to scold me for my behavior. She says I still need a thousand lifetimes to remember not to glare at people.”

Lady Verity—oh, I do know her! And the husband who always hovers.

“Lord Northcott,” Genevieve said as the name came to her, and it was easier to smile then. Relieved she would not have to inquire for his name and make matters awkward, she relaxed. “Worry not, I take no offense. I would be happy to escort you to our home. Have you visited here before?”

“Yes, I have indeed.” He walked at a fair pace beside her without concern. “Several times in my youth, but it must have been some years since.”

She nodded. “How nice that must have been.”

While they walked, he glanced her way. “You have not come here without the duke, have you?”

Though she had no need to answer the question, Genevieve found herself answering, “No, this is my first visit. But I am very much enjoying it.”

“Why not?”

“Why have I not visited? Well, I… I suppose I didn’t wish to come without my husband,” she replied while wondering how much he knew about her marriage. He had been at her wedding, she recalled. He was a friend of Julian’s. But how close, she had no idea.

“I understand he returned in the last month. The duke has been busy, I see. And the first thing he did was bring you all the way out here where you have never visited.”

She paused. “Are you making an accusation?”

“Should I?” His eyes narrowed as he studied her for a long moment.

“I should hope not.”

They resumed walking. Her heartbeat had picked up under this interrogation, wondering what he knew already and what else he might suspect. She wished she knew Julian better. No, she wished he wasn’t here. If he had never come back, then she wouldn’t be trapped like this.

“Your Grace, do you have a residence in the county?”

He gave a short nod. “I am seeking to sell off a cottage of mine, and wished to inspect it one last time. It’s been a tense week and so I thought I might call on you and Southwick for a short time. You don’t mind, do you?”

“Why should I?”

The two of them darted glances at one another, never answering the questions. Already Genevieve worried she had said too much. Soon, they were at the front steps. She went to the door to have a stable boy fetched for the duke’s horse, and then they came inside.

“Allow Mrs. Waverly to take your hat and cloak,” Genevieve invited. “Mrs. Waverly, can you have tea prepared for the gentlemen? Let’s have some of those ham sandwiches, as well, I think they’ll enjoy them.”

“Certainly, Your Grace, very good thinking.”

She nodded her thanks. “And don’t forget about the change of water in the stables. I was talking with them the other day and we had concerns about the troughs needing to be washed with a new soap. Please make sure that is done beforehand.”

Standing back and warming his hands from the cool morning air, Lord Northcott gave an approving nod. “Very thoughtful, my lady.”

“Isn’t she?” Mrs. Waverly said with an approving smile.

She gave Genevieve a look. “She’s a very talented duchess, she is.

Always thoughtful about the house and already knows every servant by name.

Just this morning, I was hearing tell from little Abernathy about her.

He fetches the coal, you see, dirty little mite.

But on he goes about the duchess and the one time she scrubbed his face clean. ”

Genevieve’s face flushed. An incident last week hardly warranted flattery. “Thank you, Mrs. Waverly, but that is enough. Can you please tend to those matters?”

“Certainly! Will there be anything else?”

“No. Oh, only that you should include a few apples on the tray. And the floral knives, not the blossom ones, please,” she added hastily.

If she was going to host a duke, Genevieve told herself, she was going to do it right. She gestured for Mrs. Waverly to go and was just about to relax when Julian appeared.

“Tristan! I thought I saw your horse from the window but couldn’t be certain. Whatever are you doing in the middle of nowhere? I know I didn’t invite you,” he added cheerfully and welcomed his friend.

She stepped out of the way as the two men greeted one another. Once there was a break in the conversation, she cleared her throat. “We’ll have tea and trays prepared for the two of you momentarily. Shall I have them sent to your study or the parlor, perhaps?”

Though Julian had tossed her an odd look before greeting his friend, she thought that was it. Until he turned and raised his eyebrow at her. “Tea and trays already?”

Her shoulders straightened. “I thought Lord Northcott might be hungry after his ride. But if you like, I can always go to the kitchens to halt the order.”

“No, that’s not necessary.”

And yet he had not answered her question. “Very good, then. What shall we do with the tea? I have sandwiches being prepared that I know you’ll both enjoy.”

“Think you know me so well?” He asked teasingly, though not in the same charming manner that made her heart flutter.

Rather, this ruffled her more than anything.

He smirked and rocked back on his feet like everything was no more than a jest. “Have everything brought to my parlor, then. Will that be all, dear wife?”

If he’s truly going to ask, I might as well tell him.

“Not quite. I thought I would mention that I walked by the pond this morning at first light, before coming upon our guest. Two of your tenants were nearby and wished for your ear on a matter. Something to do with sheep, I believe? And there should be a letter on your desk from the youngest of your aunts regarding a matter I already addressed with her. She’s requesting the final say to come from you, if you could please add your own response before I take it to post.”

Julian blinked. He rubbed the back of his neck and seemingly needed a minute to think. Finally, he grunted. “Very well, I’ll see if I can attend those matters today. Tristan, shall we?”

Locking her jaw so her mouth wouldn’t drop open, Genevieve forced herself to not react. Something was up with Julian that inspired him to cut her off like that. But what it was, she didn’t know.

What is he blaming me for now? Is this about last night? I hardly even know what he thinks about the situations that happened last night. Perhaps it was all a dream. Perhaps it was all a lie.

Still, it hurt her to see the way he practically forgot about her. She thought they had made more progress.

“Very well.” Tristan took a step to follow his friend who was already walking back down the hall. But he paused to glance at Genevieve with an inscrutable expression. “It was a pleasure to meet you again, my lady.”

She forced a nod. “And you, my lord. Do ask for me should you need anything during your visit.”

Then he left to follow Julian, leaving her behind.

I feel as though he is determined to drive me mad, to confuse me until all I can do is spin around in circles.

Everyone had departed and so Genevieve was left to her own devices in the hall. Sighing, she slumped back to glance around the hall. No one was about. But if she screamed or banged her fists, someone would surely come running. Besides, a duchess never reached in such a manner.

No, a duchess was always calm. Always collected. So she inhaled deeply and then took herself to her chambers where she might eat peacefully on her own. Maybe then she could put Julian out of her mind if only for a minute.