The Desperate Love of a Lord: A Free Novella. Jane Lark
“I do not know, sir.”
“Selford …”
“I swear, my Lord, I can tell you nothing other than my Lady has gone.”
Gone. The word had such finality.
“Did she say when she was coming back? How long is she to be away?”
“My Lord …” Selford said pleadingly.
“Selford, you of all people know how things were. I cannot understand this. She said nothing to me. How long has she gone for?”
“I cannot say, my Lord.”
“Give me something. Please, Selford?”
Worry passed across the butler’s stern expression. “My Lord.”
“Selford.” Geoff heard the note of plea in his voice.
The butler frowned and then in a low voice answered, “She is not intending to return, my Lord.”
“Not intending …” A wash of disbelief swept through Geoff. He moved to the stairs and sat on the second step, feeling faint again as the room darkened at the edges of his vision.
Had he done something wrong? He’d never spoken of his affection. He’d believed his feelings returned. Should he have said something? Would she have stayed if he’d spoken? But surely she knew. He’d not hidden it from his eyes, or his touch. Did she just not care?
His gaze lifted to Selford again. “Tell me what she said? Do you know why she has gone?”
“I should not, my Lord …” Selford’s statement ended in silence, but Geoff could see the man’s resolve was weakening. He looked uncertain.
“Tell me …”
“My Lord, I –”
“Tell me!” Geoff’s pitch grew more forceful.
“Oh.” Selford’s voice dropped to little more than a whisper. He was going to talk. Geoff stood.
“The house is to be shut up, sir. The knocker has been left in place because Lady Rimes asked that it remain so for a few weeks, as if she were still here, and then the house and everything is to be sold.”
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