Page 90 of The Phantom Duke

“It does seem incredible,” Theodora said. “Like something from a novel.”

“Indeed,” Maria agreed, shaking her head. “I must confess that I scarcely know what to think about it.”

“What about His Grace?” Evelina asked. “You had expressed worries about how he might react to learning he had a brother.”

Maria sighed. “I fear that my worries were entirely founded.”

“Oh, Maria…” Evelina murmured sympathetically.

“Has His Grace been unkind to you?” Anna asked in a hushed tone.

“I would not sayunkind,” Maria said hesitantly. “It is true that Damien was initially upset that I did not inform him about his brother, but we have since…come to some manner of understanding, I suppose.”

“That is good,” Theodora said.

Maria sighed. “Yes, but it also feels as though we have become quite far apart since Ezekiel joined us. Damien has all but locked himself in his bedchamber and refuses to come out.”

“He does not wish to speak him?” Evelina asked.

Maria shrugged helplessly. “Truthfully, I am uncertain. Ezekiel has not been exactly forthcoming either. He has spent a few days with us, but he has done little besides eat and sleep.”

“Unusual,” Theodora said. “Is he ill?”

“I do not believe he is ill,” Maria said. “He is simply tired. I suspect he has been living a little roughly for quite a while.”

“The poor man,” Theodora said, sighing.

“I am not entirely certain that I believe his story,” Evelina said. “It does seem rather…unusual.”

“I thought the same,” Maria said. “Damien did, also. But I saw the scar! It looks just like the one that Damien bears. What more proof could I ask for?”

For a long moment, none of them said anything. Instead, they all quietly digested the strange tale. Even Maria, who had met Ezekiel and who shared an estate with him, could scarcely believe that Damien had a long-lost brother.

“Well,” Theodora said. “We shall have to meet the young man.”

“Indeed,” Anna said, sounding utterly baffled.

“Perhaps,” Maria said hesitantly. “But I would prefer that Damien become a little more accustomed to him first. The situation is so precarious.”

“I am sorry,” Evelina said, reaching across the space and curling her hand over Maria’s own. “But you know that you did nothing wrong. You were wise to meet with your husband’s brother and speak to him first.”

“I am not entirely certain that Damien’s behavior is because of me,” Maria said, sighing. “He has been alone for so very long,and he always thought that his mother was murdered. Now, it is as if everything he knows is a lie.”

“Yes,” Theodora said. “I suppose that would make it difficult.”

“Especially for a man who tries so hard not to show any vulnerability,” Evelina said.

Maria sighed and nodded. “So what do I do?”

The other ladies offered no answer. Maria smiled wryly. For all that anyone might say about her husband, there was no denying that he was aninterestingman.

“Well,” Maria said. “At least, my marriage has not proven to be a boring one.”

CHAPTER 24

“You intend to let him stay?” Maria asked as she walked with Damien through the hallways of Winterleigh.

It had been nearly a week since Ezekiel’s arrival, and Damien had finally emerged from his bedchamber. Maria had met him outside his room and suggested that they spend some time together, and he agreed, although seemingly with some measure of reluctance. Their path had been a circuitous one, the direction set by Damien. Maria took it as a sign that he wished for her company. It gave her a warm flush that spread out from her heart.