Henry watched as the carriage rolled away, diminishing in size in his view as it went further down the road.
In the end, he had decided that he couldn’t tell Deborah what he truly felt. And perhaps it was for the best.
At least, that is what he tried to tell himself.
He had been the last one standing there, watching the carriage leave, as other members of his family had already made their way back inside.
“Goodbye, Deborah,” he whispered to himself, his conversation with Lord Jonathan from the night before ringing in his head.
“She cannot hear you.”
He was startled by Emma, who appeared behind him. It seemed that she had been watching him from the door all along.
“She doesn’t have to,” he returned, then tried to make his way inside. But Emma blocked his path.
“Why didn’t you stop her?” she questioned, folding her arms in front of her.
“I am not sure what you are talking about, Emma,” he replied firmly. “I am sure that you wanted Deborah and, of course, Peter to stay for a while longer, but the reality is that they needed to return home.”
“My dear brother, why are you evading the question?” Emma demanded. “You are making it seem as though I am the only one affected by her departure, when it is clear that you are more torn than I am about the matter.”
“I won’t be drawn into a conversation when you are intent on talking nonsense,” Henry replied. “Please, clear the way so that I may head inside.”
Emma shook her head. “Your Grace, you might have everyone else around you fooled, but I am too perceptive for that. I know you harbor feelings for Deborah, and that you are trying your hardest to suppress them.”
The Duke did a double take. “What gave you that impression?”
He began doubting himself. Had he really been that obvious in his affections? He had tried his best to hide it from everyone.
“It is not anything that you said,” Emma replied. “But I saw the way you looked at her. Even as you were saying goodbye to her, it was obvious to me that you did not want her to leave.”
“I suppose you deserve more credit than I thought,” he murmured. “Perhaps you are right in your observation. But the truth of the matter is that she has left now, and I do not think that it would do either of us any good on dwelling over the past.”
“Brother, to me, that sounds as though you are giving up. All my life, I have looked up to you as the bravest person I know, and yet, here you are challenging that notion by acting so cowardly.”
“Careful with your words, dear sister. I wouldn’t call myself a coward, just pragmatic.”
“I am sorry, but I fail to understand what is so practical about letting someone you love slip away from you,” Emma retorted, not backing down.
“She does not return my feelings.” Henry sighed. “Even if I were to display the bravery you expect, it would yield no outcome.”
“Would it change your mind if I told you that she, indeed, feels the same for you as you do for her?”
“Emma,” the Duke warned, “do not say things just for the sake of it, especially when you have no proof of it.”
“I have enough proof,” Emma shot back. “In fact, I have her testimony, as she admitted her feelings to me herself.”
“She….” The duke paused, trying to take in what his sister had just told him. “She spoke with you about me?”
Emma nodded. “She was just as tortured about it as you seem to be. The both of you clearly have feelings for each other, but neither wants to make the first move.”
“Why didn’t you tell me sooner?” he demanded, feeling as though some crucial piece of the puzzle had just been revealed to him.
“As I said, I was hoping that you would do it yourself. I know you have never shied away from taking a stand before. Alas, it is now too late. Deborah plans on moving away to Scotland, and I am afraid that this was the last time you were likely ever going to see her.”
“That is not true.” Henry shook his head. “She will surely attend her brother’s wedding.”
“Oh, do you not know Deborah at all yet? She scarcely has any consideration for rituals such as wedding ceremonies. She will be happily settled in Scotland in her new life by the time Peter and I get married.”
