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The leaves and foliage crushed beneath her steps and soon, Caster Hall came into view.

Lord Bronwyn summoned a carriage and she found herself driving back to Goldclaw Manor. As the grand building came into view, she leaned against the window and watched it draw closer, knowing when she arrived, she would have to make a decision that would break the heart of someone she loved dearly.

There was nothing she could do about it, for Lord Bronwyn was right. She couldn’t please everyone. Someone had to be hurt. She dreaded having to decide who that person would be.

Chapter 24

He saw her make her way down the path leading to the forest. He wanted to follow her, but he remained at his window, finding it impossible to shake the previous night’s events.

After tossing and turning all night, he’d risen and paced the manor, wiling away the hours until he could set off to meet Jack at the paddock. He’d fully intended to seek the counsel of his friend. However, seeing her once more threw him into a turmoil he could not escape from. He returned to his chamber, climbing under the blanket on his bed, and closed his eyes. He did not even bother to remove his shoes first.

What am I to do? I want nothing more than to be with her. I care little for Lawrence’s empty threats. Papa would never disinherit me and even if he did, I would not care. Not if I could be with her. How am I so in love with her in so short a time? I adore her more than I ever thought possible. And yet, she has asked me to marry another.

Kenneth knew he could not marry anyone other than Ruth. Ruth was the one for him. If only he had the words to explain this feeling.

A knock on the door roused him. He forced his eyes open, realizing he had slept. Outside the sun was bright in the sky and the garden bustled with activity when he peeked out.

He jumped out of bed and pulled on his trousers, so they lay taut against his legs. His cravat, haphazardly put on that morning without the help of his valet, stood askew from his neck. With one swift motion, he ripped it away and tossed it on the chair by his bed.

“Come,” he called and within a moment, the Duke of Twilightfare entered his chamber, followed shortly thereafter by his own father.

“Lord Rotham, I am sorry to disturb you, but…” The man’s eyes were wild with worry, he tapped the tips of his fingers together in a rapid motion as if to channel away his feelings. “Nobody has seen my daughter, Ruth. I don’t suppose you have?”

“Ruth? She is missing?”

“She did not call for her maid this morning, and upon inspecting her chamber, we found her bed untouched.”

The fog of sleep lifted at last from his mind and he shook his head. “I saw her early this morning. The sun had barely risen. She went toward the forest.”

The men exchanged a glance and the Duke’s jaw relaxed at this news.

“Then perhaps she simply has lost her way. I shall ride out and look for her.”

“I will come with you. You do not know the way around the estate as well as I do, and I know my father has an appointment this morning with the steward.”

“That I do. Besides, I have a wife who is nearly apoplectic with news we received from your cousin. A matter that requires discussion as I do not quite trust the report provided by him.”

A groan escaped Kenneth. “What did he say?”

“Much. I will summon the horses for the both of you,” his father said and made haste out of the room.

The Duke of Twilightfare placed a hand on Kenneth’s back. “I thank you for accompanying me. My daughter is quite adept when it comes to being in nature, but I worry. Especially after what I was told occurred last night.”

“I am sorry I have caused her such upset.”

They hastened down the hallway and out the front door. In the distance, two stable hands appeared with their horses and the two men rushed towards them.

“From what I hear it was not you who caused the trouble, but rather your cousin. I am not fond of him and even less so now.”

“Then you fit into our party very well, for none of us are fond of him. It is the one thing the entire family can agree upon.”

“I will say, our visit here has turned out much more eventful than I had anticipated.” The older man walked beside Kenneth and glanced at him. “You are fond of my daughter.” It was not a question at all, but an observation.

He nodded. There was no reason to hide his feelings, in vain as they might be.

“I have grown fond of her, and more. I am afraid my affections have not gone unnoticed by others.”

They met with the stable hands and each took the reins of one horse. Kenneth swung himself onto Artemis’ back while the Duke mounted up on Baritone, a gentle gelding.