The Perilous Quest of the Rejected Duchess by Emma Linfield

Author:Emma Linfield
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Publisher: 0
Published: 2019-01-18T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 24

She was dead.

Benjamin felt as if his heart had physically broken within his chest. The pain he had felt upon losing her to her criminal misdeeds paled in comparison to the agony he now felt. He would rather she had attempted to stab him again than to go on in a world where her vibrant spirit no longer existed.

No matter which way he turned within his own estate, he saw her there. When he rode the grounds in search of peace, he was reminded of her near-death experience at the ravine. When he walked the lawn and gardens he saw her there in the moonlight and snow. Even as he sat at his desk attempting to distract his mind with the ever-tiresome affairs of the estate, he saw her there lying upon the chaise lounge or setting the fire.

The village was no different as he saw her everywhere from the metalsmith shop to the marketplace. He had ridden into town to pay the surgeon and to check in on Thomas Abernathy only to find his shop closed. A sign on the front door had stated that the occupant was in mourning and did not wish to be disturbed. He had only stayed but a few moments at the surgeon’s home as being in the place from which she had passed was unbearable.

When he had inquired as to where she was buried, he had been told that Mr. Abernathy had taken her body to be interred elsewhere. Where the surgeon and his wife were unsure. In the weeks that followed her passing, Benjamin rode every patch of earth upon his estate ten times over. He sought some kind of release from his pain, but found none.

When a missive came from Anthony for Benjamin to join him at Dutton Manor in celebration of the Dowager Duchesses’ birthday, he jumped at the chance to escape the memories that haunted Lyndon. As he rode past the stream where they had first met, he paused to say a prayer for her soul. The image of her clambering up out of the water after he had tossed her into the stream that first day came flooding back. Unable to bear the pain, he moved on toward Dutton.

Upon his arrival, Anthony came out to greet him, squeezing his shoulder in commiserative affection. “I am sorry for your loss, my friend. I am glad you agreed to come. Let us get you settled, then I have planned a series of distractions to take your mind from it,” Anthony stated leading Benjamin into the house.

The Dowager Duchess greeted him in the front hall. “I am beyond grateful that you are able to attend my birthday festivities. I know the last year has been most difficult for you and I wish you to know that you will always have a family here at Dutton Manor.”

“Thank you, Madame,” Benjamin replied bowing over her hand placing a kiss of affection upon it.

“Quite right,” Anthony agreed with his mother. “Benji is an honorary Turton to be sure.

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