The Detective Duke (Unexpected Lords Book 1) by Scarlett Scott

Author:Scarlett Scott [Scott, Scarlett]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Happily Ever After Books, LLC
Published: 2021-11-18T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 10

Elysande told herself she did not want to see Hudson’s bachelor rooms. Not because he had lived there alone, likely entertaining a host of ladies within over the course of the years. Although, to be fair, that thought set her teeth on edge. No, indeed.

She did not want to see his rooms for the plain and simple reason that a woman had met her violent end there not long ago. She had no notion of what the interior would reflect. Would there be blood? Gore? Small clues that another woman had been within, hoping to share her own husband’s bed?

The thoughts combined and made bile rise in her throat.

They climbed the stairs in tense silence. For Hudson, it was the first time he had returned to the rooms since that awful night. For Elysande, it was the first time seeing her husband’s life as it had been before their marriage. As it had been during their time apart. He unlocked the door and hesitated before opening it, turning to Elysande.

“Perhaps you ought to wait in the carriage while I go inside.”

She was having none of that, despite her inner turmoil. “I want to go with you.”

For both their sakes, she felt it imperative that she accompany him.

“I have no notion of what awaits,” he said, his expression guarded.

“I have already prepared myself, Hudson. Where you go, I shall follow. I cannot help you to solve this murder if I am left in the darkness because of my tender sensibilities.” She raised her chin, feeling mulish. “I was raised to believe myself the equal of any man. I have worked at my father’s side in his workshop for years.”

Hudson’s full lips tightened into a thin line. “Murder is not the same, Ellie. You have never witnessed the ugly aftermath as I have, and I would spare you that.”

Her resolve remained firm as ever, but she was pleased his hesitation was to protect her instead of some misguided notion. Heaven knew she had witnessed more than her fair share of wrongheaded opinions about the fairer sex.

She touched her husband’s arm. “Please, Hudson. Allow me to come with you. I meant what I said. I do not want you to face this alone.”

He nodded, then opened the door, waiting for her to enter first. She crossed the threshold hesitantly. There was an eerie stillness in the chamber, but it was tidy. The curtains were closed, leaving shadows everywhere. Hudson moved past her to pull them aside, sending light over the darkness. A small stove occupied one wall, along with a table and chairs. Everything was neat and tidy.

Except for the blood.

Her heart beat faster as she spotted the first traces of it. Drops on the floor in a trail leading from the darkened room at the opposite end of the main chamber to the door. The blood must have dripped from either Mrs. Ainsley, or the killer himself.

“Likely, it would have dripped from the murderer’s blade,” Hudson said, as if he had read her thoughts.

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