Page 15 of The Duke’s Unexpected Bride (The Gentleman’s Vow #2)

CHAPTER 15

T he following day, Hanna sat in the drawing room with Emma, sharing tea. The delicate clinking of porcelain filled the air as Emma poured the fragrant brew into their cups, the scent of Earl Grey rising between them.

Hanna had always enjoyed these moments with her sister, though the last few days had been tumultuous, filled with unexpected revelations and a deepening sense of uncertainty.

“I’ve been worried about you, Hanna,” Emma said, stirring her tea thoughtfully, her expression soft with concern. “Father has been in one of his moods—holed up in his study for days. He barely speaks to me anymore.” She paused, biting her lip before continuing. “I miss you. The house feels so empty without you.”

Hanna looked down at her cup, the steam curling up lazily into the air. “I miss you too, Emma,” she said softly. “But much has happened here as well.”

Emma’s eyes brightened with curiosity. “Tell me, then. What has kept you so occupied? You look as though you lost weight. You always lose weight in your cheeks first, and you look almost gaunt. One could almost mistake you for a half-ghost.”

Hanna hesitated, unsure how to explain everything. She took a breath and began recounting the events of the past few days—her unease with Edwin, the unsettling atmosphere of the house, and the mystery surrounding his brother’s death, which kept her from wanting to have anything to do with her husband.

She told Emma of the ledgers and the business troubles she had helped resolve, and how Edwin had, to her surprise, respected her intelligence.

But still, Hanna could not shake the sense that he was hiding something from her, something dark .

Emma listened attentively, her brow furrowing occasionally. “It sounds to me as though Edwin is not quite the villain you first imagined,” she said at last, setting her cup down with a soft clink. “He acknowledged your help, didn’t he? And he didn’t brush you aside like Father used to do.”

Hanna nodded but sighed, her fingers idly tracing the rim of her cup. “That is true, but there’s something… I can’t explain it, Emma. It’s as though he’s hiding something from me. He may not be a murderer, but there’s an uneasiness about him that I can’t shake. His mood changes so suddenly, and he seems so guarded, as if there’s a wall between us.”

Emma tilted her head, studying her sister with a mix of sympathy and mild exasperation. “Hanna, you’ve always been prone to overthinking things. Perhaps you’re imagining shadows where none exist.”

“I wish that were the case,” Hanna murmured. “But every time I think I’m beginning to understand him, there’s a new layer of mystery.”

Emma sighed, leaning back in her chair. “You’re being paranoid, dear sister. Why not ask the servants? They’ve been with him for longer than you have. Surely, they would know the truth about his character. They have no reason to lie, after all.”

Hanna frowned, her gaze drifting toward the window. Could the servants truly be trusted to tell her the truth? It was difficult to say. She had been raised to believe that the staff often saw things that their masters did not, but how much of that was gossip and how much was truth?

Before she could voice her doubts, a sound from outside caught her attention.

The sharp bark of a dog echoed through the room, drawing her gaze to the window. Hanna rose from her seat, her hands clutching the back of the chair as she peered out. Through the glass, she saw Edwin walking with Ruby in the garden. The autumn breeze ruffled his dark hair, and the sun cast dappled shadows through the trees as he strolled leisurely, the hound trotting happily at his side.

For a moment, the scene seemed oddly peaceful. Edwin’s hand rested casually on Ruby’s head as they walked, and the dog wagged his tail with contentment. Hanna watched, feeling a strange pang in her chest. It was difficult to reconcile this image of Edwin—calm, gentle, and companionable—with the man who, only days before, had seemed so distant and brooding.

“Is that Edwin?” Emma’s voice cut through her thoughts, and she turned slightly to see her sister rising to join her at the window. “He seems fond of that dog, doesn’t he?”

“Yes,” Hanna replied softly. “He does.”

Emma glanced sideways at her, a small smile playing on her lips. “Does that not tell you something, Hanna? A man who is kind to animals is often kindhearted.”

Hanna let out a sigh, her eyes still fixed on Edwin as he knelt down beside Ruby and rubbed the dog’s ears with a tenderness that surprised her. Perhaps Emma was right. Perhaps she had been too quick to judge him. Yet, even as she watched, a sliver of doubt remained. There was still so much she didn’t know about him, about his past.

“I don’t know,” Hanna said, her voice barely above a whisper. “I have so many questions, Emma. About Benjamin’s death, about his moods… about everything.”

Emma turned to her, placing a reassuring hand on her arm. “You won’t find answers by keeping yourself locked away. You need to talk to him, Hanna. Really talk to him. You’re married now—you must make an effort.”

Hanna’s lips parted in protest, but Emma’s steady gaze silenced her. The truth was, she hadn’t really tried to get to know Edwin. She had been too consumed by her fears and doubts, by the haunting uncertainty of his involvement in his brother’s death.

“Perhaps,” she admitted reluctantly, her fingers tightening on the windowsill. “But it’s not as simple as that. There’s a distance between us… and I fear he might not want me to ask the questions I need to.”

Emma studied her for a moment, then spoke gently, “Hanna, the distance will remain if you wait for him to come to you. You must take the first step. It sounds as though he respects you—he trusted you enough to let you handle his business matters. That’s a start, isn’t it?”

Hanna’s gaze drifted back to Edwin, who was walking further into the garden, Ruby at his heels. There was a truth in Emma’s words that she couldn’t deny. Edwin had shown her a level of respect she hadn’t expected. He had allowed her into his world, even if only in small ways.

“I suppose so,” she whispered.

But even as she said it, her heart remained conflicted. Could she trust her husband? Could she trust herself to unravel his complexities?

Emma squeezed her arm gently. “Give him a chance, Hanna. Don’t let your fears blind you to what might be good.”

Hanna turned away from the window, nodding softly. “I will try,” she said, her voice quiet but determined.

As dusk settled over the estate, Hanna strolled through the gardens, seeking some quiet after the day’s events. Her steps led her toward the side of the house, where she spotted Mrs. Maple beside a large wooden tub, vigorously scrubbing what appeared to be Ruby, who sat contentedly in the bath.

The housekeeper, who had been humming softly to herself, looked up at the sound of Hanna’s approaching footsteps. Her face brightened, a warm smile playing on her lips as she stood to greet her.

“Your Grace!” Mrs. Maple said, a little out of breath from her task. “Well, this is an unexpected visit.”

Hanna returned the smile, though her gaze was fixed on the unusual sight of Ruby covered in soap suds. “I didn’t expect to find you bathing Ruby, Mrs. Maple.”

The older woman let out a soft laugh, wiping her brow. “Ah, yes, it’s not the usual sight, I suppose. But truth be told, it’s not His Grace who asks this of me. Ruby tends to smell a bit… ripe after his outdoor adventures, and I prefer a clean house. So, I’ve taken it upon myself to bathe him now and then. Besides, I rather enjoy it.”

Hanna raised an eyebrow, feeling slightly relieved. She had assumed this might be another of Edwin’s rigid expectations, but clearly, Mrs. Maple undertook the task by choice.

“So, His Grace does not require this of you?” she asked, curious.

“Oh no, not at all,” Mrs. Maple said with a chuckle. “His Grace is far too soft on Ruby. In his eyes, the dog can do no wrong, even when he stinks up the whole house.”

Hanna watched Ruby, who now appeared quite relaxed in the tub. She considered for a moment before surprising herself with her next words. “Would you like some help?”

Mrs. Maple’s eyes widened. “Oh, Your Grace, I couldn’t possibly ask that of you. A duchess helping bathe a dog—it’s not proper.”

Hanna smiled. “I don’t mind. I think it would be nice to do something… simple. Besides, Ruby and I should get better acquainted, shouldn’t we?”

The housekeeper hesitated, but then her expression softened. “Well, if you’re sure, Your Grace. I won’t turn down an extra pair of hands.”

With a nod, Hanna knelt beside Mrs. Maple and carefully rolled up her sleeves. She dipped the cloth into the soapy water, her fingers brushing against Ruby’s wet fur. The dog, surprisingly calm, glanced back at her with large, curious eyes but remained still as she began to wash him.

For a few moments, the only sounds were the sloshing of water and the rustle of leaves in the evening breeze. As Hanna worked, she found herself growing more comfortable with the task. Ruby’s fur was surprisingly soft beneath the lather, and the rhythm of the work soothed her in a way she hadn’t anticipated.

As they scrubbed, Mrs. Maple’s tone grew thoughtful. “You know, Your Grace, I’ve known His Grace since he was a lad. He’s always had a soft spot for animals, especially dogs.”

Hanna glanced up at her, intrigued. “You’ve known him since he was a child?”

“Oh yes,” Mrs. Maple said, her eyes gleaming with fondness. “I’ve been with the family since long before the former Duke passed. Edwin and Benjamin were as close as brothers could be—practically inseparable. The two of them were only a year apart, so they grew up side by side.”

Hanna nodded slowly, eager to hear more. “It must have been difficult for them when their father died.”

“Indeed, it was,” Mrs. Maple sighed. “Both of them were still lads at the time. Young Edwin had to grow up fast. With Benjamin set to inherit the dukedom, it fell to Edwin to help his brother adjust to the weight of those responsibilities. And when their mother passed some years later… Well, they only had each other.”

Hanna paused her scrubbing, her brow furrowing slightly. “So, they were close?”

“Oh yes, Your Grace. Thick as thieves, those two. Edwin was always there for Benjamin, and Benjamin was always there for Edwin. They shared everything.” Mrs. Maple’s voice softened. “It was a great tragedy, what happened to His Grace. The loss of his brother still weighs heavily on him.”

Hanna bit her lip, trying to sound casual as she asked her next question. “There are… stories, of course. Rumors that Edwin—His Grace—was somehow involved in Benjamin’s death.”

Mrs. Maple’s hands stilled, and she gave Hanna a knowing look. “Ah, so that’s what you’re wondering.”

Hanna flushed slightly but didn’t deny it. “People do talk, Mrs. Maple.”

“They always do,” Mrs. Maple said with a sigh, resuming her scrubbing of Ruby’s back. “And often, they speak without knowing the truth.”

Hanna leaned forward, her curiosity piqued. “So, it’s not true?”

The housekeeper looked at her for a long moment, then shook her head firmly. “No, Your Grace. It’s not true. His Grace loved his brother dearly. He would never have harmed a hair on Benjamin’s head. Whatever happened that night was a tragic accident, nothing more. His Grace has carried the burden of that loss ever since, but to accuse him of such a thing… it’s cruel.”

Hanna absorbed Mrs. Maple’s words, her mind churning. She had been suspicious of Edwin since the moment they met, wary of the dark cloud that seemed to hang over him. But hearing this—hearing someone who had known him all his life speak with such certainty—it gave her pause.

“I suppose I’ve let my imagination get the better of me,” she admitted sheepishly.

Mrs. Maple smiled kindly. “It’s only natural, Your Grace, given the circumstances. But I’ve known that boy since he was knee-high. He may be reserved and carry his burdens quietly, but he’s not a villain.”

Hanna nodded slowly, feeling the weight of the housekeeper’s words settle over her. She wasn’t sure what to believe yet, but Mrs. Maple’s conviction gave her something to think about.

As they continued washing Ruby in comfortable silence, Hanna couldn’t help but glance toward the manor, wondering what truths lay beneath the Duke’s stoic exterior—and whether she would ever fully understand him.