The Duke's Divorce (The Reluctant Grooms Series Volume IV) (33 page)

“No.” She brought her napkin up to her eyes.
“I am fine. It only hurts when I think on it. And I shall think on
it no longer. I am resigned. Robert never loved me. So you see, I
am doing the right thing by leaving him and giving him what he
wants, what he has always wanted, an annulment and the chance to be
with the woman he truly loves.”

Greenleigh stared at her. “Lady Fiona, you
are too good for him.”

“Yes,” Fiona said. “Robert and I both agreed
last night on that point as well.”

Robert awoke with a splitting headache and an
empty stomach. He did not know which he wished he could fix first.
He made his way into his water closet, relieved himself, and then
splashed cold water on his face. Looking in the mirror above the
sink he saw a man who was a hundred years old. He wondered if there
was any liquor left in the tantalus, or had he drank it all.

He lurched back into his bedroom and rang the
bell for Davidson. His valet appeared two minutes later with a tall
glass of water, headache powder, a pot of coffee, and two dry
pieces of toast. God Bless Davidson.

Robert took the medicine, drank the water,
and shoved a piece of toast in his mouth. “What time is it, Davey?”
The curtains were still drawn and he could not read the clock
across the room. His eyes were swimming.

“Almost noon, Your Grace.”

“Is anyone else up?”

“None from the family. Edwards has been
working with a minimum staff until they are all rested.”

“Very well. I believe I shall take the day
off. Wake me for dinner, please.” Robert handed the glass to his
valet and crawled back under the covers. He was asleep before
Davidson closed the door.

Robert sat up and looked at the clock. He
could see it was just after four. He lay in his bed contemplating
the events of last night. He had spoken to the Regent, but after
that, the night became a blur. Mary Elizabeth had returned, he
knew. And he had done something, but in his inebriated state he
couldn’t remember what. He vowed he would never touch another drop
of alcohol as long as he lived.

He rang for Davidson and requested a bath. He
would feel much better purged of the smell of his own body and with
food in his stomach.

Bathed and dressed, he made his way
downstairs and met Edwards coming out of the dining room.

“Edwards, do you think you might scrounge me
something to eat?”

“Your mother is dining now, Your Grace if you
wish to join her.”

“Lovely, thank you.” Robert walked into the
dining room and gave his mother a kiss. “Good day, Mother. How do
you fare?”

His mother looked at him with a cold eye.

“What is it? Are you perturbed with me?” What
had he done now? Lately it seemed he could do nothing to please
her.

“You do not remember?” she asked and put down
her fork.

“Remember what, Mother? I’m afraid my
overindulgence in spirits last night prevents me from being
cognizant.” He sat down and the footman placed a large piece of
meat pie in front of him. Robert dug into his meal.

“Well, let me tell you.” Lady Joanna sat back
in her chair. “Mary Elizabeth appeared at our ball uninvited and
you cut Fiona directly by dancing the first waltz with her.”

Robert choked on his meat pie and reached for
a glass of water. “I did
what
?”

“You heard me. As soon as that cheeky wench
showed up, you two were seen having an intimate conversation in the
corner. And then, when poor Fiona looked for you for the waltz, you
turned up on the dance floor with Mary Elizabeth. Fiona was
devastated. You made a complete fool of her last night. I do not
know if she will ever forgive you, and quite frankly, I would not
blame her.”

“Where is Fiona?” He pushed his chair back
and stood.

“I do not know. I have not seen her or heard
a word from her little maid all day. I dare say she is in her room
hiding her head in shame. I do not know how you shall ever make
this up to her, Robert.”

He didn’t either. He ran up the stairs and
knocked on her door. There was no answer. He opened it a crack.
There was no one inside. The curtains were drawn. What was that on
the bed? He flung the curtains aside and found a jewelry box and a
note. He lifted the lid on the box, and inside were all the gifts
he had given her, along with her wedding rings. He broke the wax on
the letter.

Robert –

By now, you know I have gone. I have taken
Merry, and also Eammon, as they are in love and I did not wish to
separate them. I have only taken a few of the gowns you bought for
me. I left all the jewelry you gave me. There is no need for the
settlement. I do not want anything from you.

I wish you all the best with Mary Elizabeth.
I hope you find your every happiness.

Fiona

Robert’s head swam and he broke out in a cold
sweat. This could not be happening. Gone? She couldn’t be gone.
Robert yanked open the doors to the armoire. Gowns of every shade
hung there. He walked to her dresser and opened the drawers. They
were empty. He walked into her bath room. There were no bottles of
perfume or her soaps. He looked under the bed, nothing. Not even a
pair of slippers.

He went to the door and yelled for Edwards.
He raced down the stairs and yelled again. Edwards rushed down the
hall.

“Your Grace?”

“Edwards, when my wife arrived with me from
Scotland, where did you store her trunks?”

“She had only the one. I placed it in the
attic.”

“Go there now and tell me if it remains.”

“Your Grace?”

“Go Edwards.
Now
!”

Robert stormed into the dining room. His
mother wasn’t there. He went out to the hall and yelled for her.
Lady Joanna appeared in the doorway to the green salon.

“Robert, for Heaven’s sake, what is all the
shouting?”

“She’s gone, Mother.” He waved Fiona’s note.
“She’s gone. Fiona has left me.” And with that, Robert broke down
in his mother’s arms and cried like a child.

“Mother, how could I have been such a fool?”
Sitting on the sofa, his head in his hands, Robert tried to stem
the tide of tears. He could not lose Fiona now. What had he been
thinking dancing with Mary Elizabeth? He did not even remember
it!

Lady Joanna rubbed his back as she sat by his
side. “There now, Robby. We all make fantastic blunders when we are
drunk and in love.”

“But Mother, I am not in love with Mary
Elizabeth.”

“Are you sure, dearest? From what I could see
last night, it appeared to all and sundry you picked up right where
you left off all those years ago.”

“’Twas the drink, Mother. The night was so
gay and enjoyable I did not realize how heavily I imbibed. And then
when I saw Beth…honestly, Mother, I do not even remember speaking
with Beth, never mind dancing with her.” Mary Elizabeth’s words, ‘I
love you, Robby. I have always loved you,’ floated through his
guilt-ridden mind. He leaned back on the couch and looked up at the
ceiling. “Oh God, Mother. What am I to do now?”

“I believe the first thing you need to do is
have something to eat. You will feel better on a full stomach. Then
you must find your wife.” She looked at him with sympathetic eyes.
“Dearest, I do know Fiona very well, and I must say, I do not think
she will forgive you for this. After all you have put that poor
girl through it will be a wonder if she listens to anything you
would have to say.”

Robert knew that in his soul. Fiona would
never speak to him again. Well, he would have to try. As for Mary
Elizabeth, he had a few choice words for her as well.

Robert put food in his belly and had the
carriage brought ‘round. He had no idea where to start looking for
Fiona. She could be anywhere, but she traveled with two servants
and that had distinct drawbacks. She couldn’t hide easily.

He mustered up the courage and went to
Caymore House to speak with Penny. The two women were good friends,
perhaps she knew where Fiona was, or would at least tell him if she
were safe.

Upon entering the mansion, Quiggins brought
him to the yellow salon. “The Duke of Cantin,” he intoned.

Lady Olivia eyed him coldly. “You look like
you have been to hell and back, Cantin.”

“I am still there, Lady Olivia,” Robert said.
“Could you tell me if my wife is here?”

“Here, why would she be here?”

Robert’s shoulders sagged.

“So have you misplaced her, or has she
finally had enough of your ambivalence and left you?”

“She left me.”

“Serves you right,” the old woman said
heatedly. “After your disgraceful display, I’m surprised she did
not run you through. Cantin, what you did to that poor gel is
abominable, and you deserve every measure of censure she can settle
on you.”

“Lady Olivia, please….”

“Please nothing, Cantin. I have grown quite
fond of the chit and watching her fall apart last night was not to
be borne. I have always held you in the highest esteem, Robert.
When you brought Fiona home and told Joanna and me of your foolish
plan, I was shocked, but I knew you would come to find your way to
love her. She is your perfect match. But now this! Cantin, you
acted like the veriest libertine, without a care in the world for
your family’s name. I warned you to be careful. I warned you, you
would lose everything, and now it seems you have. The question is,
are you man enough to try and get her back or are you going to
waste your life with that vengeful wanton?”

“Vengeful? How could you say that about Mary
Elizabeth? She has only been back in Town three weeks together. She
realized she was still in love with me and wanted to see me.
Granted, she should have taken care not to do so at my party, but
there is nothing vengeful in that.”

“Cantin, you are a bigger fool than I ever
thought you could be. Mary Elizabeth Fitzroy has been back in Town
for several
months
. As a matter of fact, she came home the
week before you left for Scotland. When you returned, married, she
realized what a mistake she had made not coming to you right away.
Unfortunately, her last husband, the Count de Lavallier left her
with nothing but disgrace. She has been running up debts for gowns,
staying with the lowest of acquaintance to remain hidden. She has
been planning and scheming how to break up your marriage since her
return. Her appearance in Society last night at
your
ball
was a calculated move to place discord between you and Fiona. She
knew you and Fiona have had a tumultuous relationship and she
thought if she brought about enough dissonance, you would leave
Fiona for her. And her plan has seemingly worked.”

Robert stared at Lady Olivia with his mouth
open. “How can you know this? And why did not you tell me of Mary
Elizabeth’s return before?”

“Robert, as the Duchess of Caymore, I know
everything
that happens in Society. I kept silent about Mary
Elizabeth’s return, as you would have annulled the marriage to
Fiona straight away. You would have thrown her away like a crumb to
a bird. And I could not do that to poor Stephen’s memory. Your
father wanted something more for you out of your marriage, and long
ago he knew that Mary Elizabeth was a scheming little doxy who
would only bring you heartbreak. What you have with Fiona is real
love, honest love, with no games or tricks. No, every day cannot be
sunshine and roses, but that is what true love is, Robert. It is a
mixture of passion, and fighting, and lovemaking, but most
importantly, it is a sincere regard for the one you have chosen to
be your helpmate, in
all
circumstances. Fiona would never
have done to you what you did to her last night. She has suffered
more from you these three months together than I ever endured with
my Fuzzy in the six-and-thirty years we were married. And do you
know why? Because Fiona loves you. Through all your faults, and all
your misgivings, and all your mistakes. Fiona loves you
desperately. She is the perfect woman for you and if you do not see
that, Heaven help you.”

Robert stood there helplessly, choking back
his tears.

“Robert,” Lady Olivia said in a gentler tone.
“If you love Fiona with all your heart, then find her. Go to her
and beg her absolution. But remember, after everything you have
done to her, she may not forgive you. And you must take it like a
man. No tantrums, no threats, no brow beating her back into your
life. Go to her with your heart wide open for she will know if you
are sincere. Do not keep anything from her. Speak to her from your
soul, boy, and she will see it. What she chooses to do is up to
her.” She rose from her chair and enveloped Robert in a hug.
Bringing her fingers up to his cheeks, she wiped away a tear. “Now
go, go find Fiona and tell her.”

“What if she does not want me? What am I to
do then?”

“You must cross that bridge if it comes. Just
do what I told you and speak from your heart.” Lady Olivia kissed
him on the cheek. “Now go.”

Robert left Lady Olivia feeling as if he’d
just gone fifteen rounds at Gentleman Jackson’s. Between his
heartbreak and his half-seas-over headache, he knew he couldn’t
face finding her now. He needed to gather his courage for this
would be a fight for his life. For his and Fiona’s life together
and he didn’t want to make any mistakes. He would get her back if
he had to die trying.

Over the next three days, Robert rode to one
hundred fifty seven hotels and inns, in and around London. The
Duchess of Cantin had not checked in anywhere. On the fourth day he
questioned as many hackney drivers as he could. No one fitting her
description traveled with a maid and footman. The day after that he
asked the mail drivers with routes outside London if she had been
seen. She hadn’t.