Bewitching the Duke

“So how will you stop her from leaving?” Kate asked quietly. “You can’t let her return to Hart’s lands.”

He rested his head back against the chair. “I told her she could leave.”

“But now you have to stop her. You love her!”

“True, but she might not love me.”

“Of course she does.” Kate banged her glass on the table. “Everyone can see how she looks at you. She’s the one who insisted you greet the tenants. She wants them to love you too.”

“Perhaps,” he drawled. “But she may not be ready to admit her love to anyone, including me.”

“And letting her leave will only make it harder for her to see what a wonderful person you are.”

He smiled. “Thank you, Kate. I do realize I want her near. She refused to stay in the house. So I did the only thing I could think of.”

“And that is?”

“I told her she could move back into the cottage.”

Kate giggled. “Well done, brother. But she is still too far away. How will you court her if she’s not here?”

“Oh, I don’t plan on being far from her at all. In fact, since it is my cottage, I do believe I might move in with her.”

Chapter 21

The next morning Selina awoke groggy and out of sorts. Drat that man for keeping her up most of the night. She had gotten what she’d wanted for the past month. She should be ecstatic that he’d given his permission for her to move back to her cottage.

So why wasn’t she?

She dressed slowly and then sat on the bed. Because she knew in her heart that she would miss him terribly. In one short month, he had come to mean everything to her. Not only did he smile more, she did too. Returning to her cottage meant very little time alone with Colin.

And while her mind tried to convince her that it was for the best, her heart disagreed.

Unable to face him and his family yet, she rang for breakfast in her room. While she waited, she walked to the window and glanced at the vastness of his estate. She loved the view from this room. She could see the reflecting pond and the rolling hills. If she moved to the other window, she could see the horses being led out of the stables.

As much as she didn’t belong here, she hated to leave this beautiful home.

She turned at the sound of a knock on the door. “Yes, come in.”

Randall opened the door. “Mr. Baker asked you to see them as soon as you can. His father is not doing well. He thinks it might be his time.”

“I’ll get my bag,” she said, even though she doubted there was anything she could do. At eighty-five, the elder Mr. Baker had lost most of his mind. He’d been bedridden for the past six months.

When Randall turned to leave, she remembered Colin was supposed to go with her today. “Is the duke awake yet?”

“Yes, he went for a ride this morning.”

“Please let him know where I went. He wanted to greet more of the tenants with me today.”

“Yes, miss.”

She gathered her things and departed without breakfast. She passed a footman carrying her tray and picked up a piece of toast on her way down the stairs. “I’m sorry but I must leave,” she said to him.

“I understand, miss.”

She walked quickly to the Bakers’ home and Miss Baker let her in.

“He’s not well at all, Selina.”