Beneath the Duke's Orders: A Historical Regency Romance Novel by Hanna Hamilton

Author:Hanna Hamilton [Hamilton, Hanna]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Cobalt Fairy LLC
Published: 2024-02-19T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 13

“It really did look like it was going well, Samuel.” Maddie wrung her hands as she glanced between him and her husband. “She was smiling.”

Samuel ran his hands through his hair. “Was she? Or was it just the lighting?”

Blast it. I even complimented the lady. And yet she ran from me. I thought if I plied her with compliments, if I proved to her she could trust me, she would talk. Anthony and Madeline know nothing about Henrietta’s past, and yet they want me to know? I say some women deserve their secrets.

Yet, even his heartbeat betrayed his thoughts.

Samuel did want to know what Madeline had hinted at. She had stopped by his study before coming here tonight, knowing Henrietta had arrived early to help her mother wrap up the final details for the ball tonight. But even though they were sisters, and close, Madeline didn’t seem to know. She only told him that she believed this was what kept Henrietta so angry.

It implied that fear was at the root of her moods, which Samuel could understand. Except that it also worried him.

A man was supposed to keep his family safe, wasn’t he? The thought of someone harming Henrietta made his blood boil. His body tensed, and he balled his hands into fists. No, no one would hurt her. They wouldn’t stand a chance, with him nearby.

“I don’t see her.” Anthony’s voice cut through his thoughts as he returned to them from the hall. “Perhaps she went off to the library.”

But his wife shook her head, worry still creasing her brow. “It’s locked. Mama would have made certain of that. Yet, there are a hundred other places for her to hide.”

“We wouldn’t find her till morning,” Samuel huffed with a shake of his head.

“She could still be in attendance. Maybe… Maybe…” But Madeline couldn’t seem to finish the thought. She glanced up in concern at her husband. The look they shared nearly gutted Samuel. He’d never seen such pure adoration before him. He had to look away.

Anthony spoke up before he could. “We’re going home, my darling. All we’ve done is make a mess of this, I’m afraid. Samuel and Henrietta must find their way through this on their own. It’s time we retired.”

“I’m sorry,” she whispered.

There was a tenderness in her voice as well as her gaze that felt like too much to Samuel. The reason didn’t matter, Samuel just knew he didn’t deserve it. He gave her a nod when she patted his shoulder. “Don’t worry. I’ll find her. It’s only a ball.”

“Yes, but they can make her anxious. She no longer… She no longer likes them like she used to.” Maddie bit her lip. “Please find her tonight, if only to make certain she is well. Please?”

After glancing at Anthony, Samuel nodded. “I’ll find her.”

Find her he would. He must. He couldn’t very well leave his wife behind at the ball even if this was her parents’ home. Glancing around warily, Samuel doubted she would be in the middle of any drama that might occur tonight.

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