“I did not bring her here. She insisted we come to your house to make this request. I tried to stop her.”
Sophie stood and paced the room. “I do not like this development. I had everything under control.”
Anthony laughed caustically. “You mean you didn’t see them coming?”
“No,” Sophie bit out. “I never thought Abigail would come all this way. Out of the blue today, I realized something was happening. Luckily, I was able to sense that Elizabeth and I needed to go to the bookshop. Why is Abigail here?”
“Perhaps if you didn’t sense this until today, you are losing your powers,” he said with a smirk.
She narrowed her eyes on him until he tensed. “You had best hope I haven’t lost my powers, or you will never get the name you are seeking.”
Damn her for making him wait this long already. All he needed was one girl’s name. How hard could that be? “Why didn’t you sense them?”
Sophie paced the small room with a worried frown. “I wish I knew.” She suddenly stopped and looked at him with a slight smile. “Perhaps it is because the duke really doesn’t love Abigail, so her presence here is meaningless.”
“And if he does love her?”
“Then all may be lost.”
Bloody hell, he would never get that girl’s name.
Chapter 24
Will paced the study from his desk to the fireplace and back. What would he say to Abigail? How could he tell her that she had wasted her time and money, and quite possibly ruined her reputation by chasing after him? He didn’t love her any longer.
He loved Elizabeth and wanted to marry her.
But the idea of hurting Abigail was killing him. He’d waited years for her to come to her senses and defy her father. She would never want to stay in England with him. Perhaps if she had come over weeks ago, before he became involved with Elizabeth, things might have been different. But he was thankful she hadn’t. Otherwise, he might never have fallen so deeply in love with Elizabeth.
He didn’t know how to tell Abigail that he didn’t love her. Had he ever? He sank into a chair closer to the fireplace. Had he ever loved Abigail? Or was she simply something he thought he wanted. Marrying her would have given him the excuse to stay in America and not face his duties in England. If she had defied her father, then he would have been forced to do the same and reject the title.
After returning to England, and seeing the possibilities for changes he could make, he started to enjoy the place. But it was Elizabeth that helped him see all those things. She made London feel like home to him.
He could not give it up. And he would not marry Abigail. He would put her on the first ship heading back to America.
A knock sounded from the outside of his door. “Yes?”
Kenneth walked inside. “Your Grace, there is a lady here to see you.” He lowered his voice to a whisper. “She came without a chaperone or maid. Should I tell her you are not at home?”
“No, Kenneth. I believe it is an old friend from America. I will see her in the small salon. Bring refreshments.” Like a bottle of whisky for him.
As the footman left, Will rose from his seat and adjusted his cravat. Where was Elizabeth when he needed her support? He walked to the door. Breaking a woman’s heart was not an easy thing to do.
The stroll down the hall to the small salon seemed endless today. The dread in his heart slowed him to a snail’s pace. He needed to get this over with now.
He stood at the threshold and stared at her. She hadn’t noticed his presence yet. Her blond hair was swept up into a loose chignon, and she held a green velvet bonnet in her lap. He must have made some small noise because she suddenly turned her head to look at him. Her sparkling blue eyes filled with tears as she sat there gazing at him.
“Will!” She quickly launched herself into his arms. Backing away, she apologized softly, “I am dreadfully sorry. That was very wrong of me.”
“Abigail, how are you?”
“Wonderful now,” she said with a sigh.
“Have a seat and we shall have tea,” Will said. He waited for Abigail to take her chair, and then moved to the chair across from her.
Abigail poured tea while Will watched her every move. Her hands trembled as if nervous around him, something she’d never been before. She handed him a teacup with a weak smile.
“So, Abigail, how did you arrive in London?” he asked to make conversation and put her more at ease.