The Duke's Gamble by Elyse Huntington Read Free Book Online Page B

present position hid the shame that she could not help feeling. What was worse, she feared she had already fallen in love with a man whom she will very likely never see again in just over two months’ time.  
    Bella sighed, rolling over onto her back. Even after a fortnight, the magnificence of her bedchamber still had the power to awe her. The room was furnished in a mixture of pale gold, pink and cream. Sumptuous silk drapes in pale gold and cream striped material hung over full-length windows. Pale gold fabric framed the large four-poster bed, over which lay a pink coverlet embroidered with what she assumed was the Avalon family crest in gold. Pink and cream striped wallpaper covered the walls. To the left was a fireplace and an open doorway that led to a small chamber where she bathed, and the set of double doors on the right connected her bedchamber to Castor’s. Not for the first time, she wondered what the duke’s bedchamber looked like. No doubt it was dark and masculine with gothic furniture and a monstrous canopied bed.
    The thought of Castor made her spirits dip. He did not spend the mornings with her, so she was used to it, but he would normally inform her that he would see her in the afternoon or at supper and bid her a good day. Even in the short period of their acquaintance, she knew him to be a creature of habit, hence his abrupt departure this morning bothered her. Oh, for goodness sake, Bella, enough.  
    Sitting up, she reached over to tug at the bell before visiting the water closet. When she returned, the drapes had been opened and the sun filled the room with a golden hue. In no time at all, her hair was done and she was dressed in a gown of white muslin printed with small sprigs of bluebells. She was picking desultorily at her breakfast when Mrs Robbins arrived.
    “Good morning, my dear.” She frowned. “You are looking a little peaked this morning, are you feeling quite well?”
    “I’m fine,” replied Bella, smiling. She had gotten to know Mrs Robbins well these last few weeks. The older woman was genuinely concerned about her wellbeing and had never shown any sign of censure. What was more, Mrs Robbins had known Castor from infancy, and although she was extremely loyal to her employer, Bella had managed to pry a handful of stories about Castor as a boy.
    Mrs Robbins glanced at Bella’s tray. “Well, I would say that you would be hard pressed to keep a robin alive with what you have eaten from that plate.”  
    “I’m not hungry today.” Bella gave up on her food and picked up her hot chocolate instead. It was one of the indulgences she would miss. Although not as much as she would miss him. Stop it, Bella. “Where is His Grace, Mrs Robbins?”
    The older woman paused. “Why do you ask?” Her tone was unusually careful.
    Bella’s brow creased. “He left in a hurry this morning and I just wondered if he was in his study or if he had some urgent business.”
    The housekeeper hesitated. “He is not here,” she finally said, her gaze evasive.
    “Mrs Robbins, what is wrong? Is everything all right?”  
    Her companion tried to smile. “I am sure His Grace is fine.”
    Concerned, Bella rose to her feet and approached the housekeeper. “Where is he?” When Mrs Robbins hesitated again, Bella took her hand. “Please, tell me. I swear I will not betray your confidence.”
    “His Grace has gone to one of the cottages on the boundary of the property. He goes there each year on this day.”
    “What happened on this day?” asked Bella, although she suspected she knew the answer.
    “His Grace’s twin brother, as well as both of his parents perished this very day twenty years ago.”
    The younger woman opened her mouth to ask another question but Mrs Robbins shook her head.  
    “It is not my place to tell you more. You must ask His Grace yourself. The only reason I am telling you now is that we are worried about him. We always are on this day.”
    Bella saw the unspoken plea in her