Jane read over the note Caleb had left for her for the seventh time in as many days. No matter how often she absorbed the words he had penned, disbelief remained seated in her heart and mind.

Dearest Jane,

My solicitor paid a call early this afternoon. My father has passed away leaving me the Duke of Valtry and you a duchess. As it were, the estate has not been properly tended in years. I have departed for Highlawn Park to see to my new responsibilities.

Until we meet again,

Caleb

How could he have abandoned her yet again? Surely, the sincerity she thought she heard in his voice when he came to her in her sitting room had been a product of her imagination, for if he truly wished to mend the rift between them, he would not have left her—for the third time.

Her heart was heavy, making it hard to draw breath. Was this to be the way of their marriage? Would she ever have the family she’d spent so many countless hours dreaming about?

Jane dashed away a rogue tear and dropped the note onto her desk. Scooping up her puppy, she quit the room. She had accepted an invitation to tea from her sister-in-law, Claudia, the previous day and had no time to tarry.

The idea of going out held little appeal at present. However, it was to be a small assembly, Claudia, Sarah, Lady Luvington, Grace, The Duchess of Abernathy, and Amelia, the Duchess of Goldstone, as well as her.

The thought did nothing to improve her mood. Nonetheless, she could no more reject an invitation from Claudia than she could the royal family. It would be a slight against her own family, something she would never do.

Carrying her puppy in the basket she had received it in, Jane made her way to the main door where she accepted her bonnet, reticule, and pelisse from the butler.

Perhaps, it would do her good to be among friends. She resolved to at least try and enjoy herself as she exited the house.

A short carriage ride later, she found herself sitting in Claudia and Henry’s dayroom, sipping tea with her friends.

“I am pleased to see you brought, Scamp along.” Amelia smiled. “That is, I called him Scamp, but that does not mean you adopted the name. Do tell, what have you decided to call the little beasty?”

Jane stroked the pup’s downy white fur. “I had not yet settled on a name. I thought it prudent to get to know him first so I could choose a name that fit him.” She lifted the mischievous fur ball and looked into his face. “I do declare Scamp is the perfect name. He is a very curious pup and troublesome in the most entertaining of ways.”

“I had the same impression of him.” Amelia reached out and patted Scamps head.

The puppy gave a low succession of barks and wriggled in Jane’s hand.

After setting Scamp down, she reached for a sweet cake as Grace recounted a bit of gossip she had read in The Times that morning. It seemed one of London’s most sought after Lords had been brought up to scratch.

Jane nibbled on her cake as Grace continued relaying the story, and sipped her tea as the others discussed the match, theorizing on how it came about. Jane tried to muster some interest, come up with something to say on the topic, however, her mind kept circling back to Caleb. Why he had left her and what he was doing now. She’d go stark raving mad if she dwelled on it much longer.

“You are rather quiet, Jane. Is there something amiss?” Claudia asked.

Jane looked up from her china teacup. She had been lost in thought staring into the amber liquid. “Yes… No… I am not certain at all.”

Grace patted Jane’s hand, her gaze warm and sincere. “We are here for you, dear. You need only tell us what is afoot and we shall help you resolve the problem.”

“Very true.” The other ladies agreed.

“Allow us to help,” Claudia added.

Jane drew in a deep breath than imparted her troubles to her friends. She left out the most intimate details, but gave them enough for them to understand what had happened.

“I am so sorry, Jane. Why did you not confide this to me or Henry before you wed His Grace? With your virginity intact you still had options.”

“I was ruined regardless. The countess witnessed Caleb half naked in my bed chamber. No one would have believed I remained chaste, and even if they did, no reputable gentleman, lord or otherwise, would have had me with such a scandal blackening my reputation.”

“I suppose you are correct. Still, I wish it were not so.”

“Do not mourn for my lost choices. Honestly, I am pleased to have Caleb as my husband. My only regret is that he does not care for me. I had always hoped for a love match like all of you have.” She glanced sheepishly at Grace. “My apologies.”

“No need for all that. I had my love match years ago.” Grace took a delicate sip of her tea.

“What makes you so certain that His Grace does not care for you?” Sarah asked, her expression tender.

“He has abandoned me. Twice.”

“Men are a different species all together. We must learn their nuances and allow that they do not think as we do. Perhaps he cares a great deal and is simply unable to convey it.” Amelia dusted crumbs from her glove-covered hands. “He may not even realize it yet.”

“I can attest to how right Amelia is on that score.” Sarah gave a gentle smile.

“Have you conveyed your feelings to him? Told him what you want out of your union?” Grace sat her teacup aside.

“I have not.”

“Men make the absolute worse mind readers, dear. They do try, but generally fail miserably. It is up to us ladies to ensure our needs are known.” Grace gave a sympathetic grin.

Jane pondered Grace’s words. Would it make a difference if she told Caleb what she desired?

* * *

Caleb tried his best to focus on the estate ledgers. Still, thoughts of Jane continued to surface. He could not help but wonder if she were thinking of him as well. Had her ire cooled? Would she welcome him home when he returned? Did she wish for him to return, or had she settled into her own pattern of life separate from him?

It was not all that uncommon for married couples to keep separate residences. Generally they procured an heir and spare first, but all the same, such arrangements were accepted among society’s elite. Wariness settled within him. Did Jane wish for such an arrangement?

He closed the account ledgers, shaking away the thoughts. A sennight had passed since he left for Highlawn Park and there remained much to do. If he wished to return to London anytime soon, he needed to stop dwelling on things he could do nothing about at present.

Caleb made his way to the stables and ordered his stallion saddled and the estate steward summoned. He would inspect the outbuildings today and if his streak of luck held, he would find them in good repair as he had the manor house. Father may not have been managing things properly, but it seemed he had an able steward.

Sitting astride his horse, Caleb waited for the steward, Mr. Zeal to join him. He squinted against the bright rays of the sun, looking out at the vast estate that now belonged to him. He paused when his gaze landed on a willow tree in the distance.

He and Maggie used to play in and around the old tree. In their later years, after mother left, they would seek safety within the cover its long branches provided.

“Catch me if you can.” Maggie giggled as she ran toward the tree. Her blond curls bounced about her shoulders, coming loose of their pins as she raced across the lawn.

Caleb laid chase, calling after her. “Ladies do not run you little hoyden.”

“I have no wish to be a proper lady.” She returned as she darted into the long, dropping branches of the willow tree.

He entered the trees shelter in time to watch her scampering up its wider branches to perch against the trunk. “What makes you say such a thing, Mags?”

She smiled down at him. “There is little fun in propriety. Ladies do not run nor do they climb trees. They are expected to obey and behave at all times. For heaven’s sake, ladies are not even permitted to have brains.”

“You will change your mind when you get older.” He said, with confidence. “Eventually, you will wish to marry.”

“Never.”

Caleb chuckled to himself at the memory. Maggie had been such a spirited girl. He had no doubt that if given the chance she would have blazed a trail through society both as a lady and a hoyden. Sorrow crept in causing a lump to form in his throat. If only he would not have allowed her to cross the blasted river.

“Your Grace.”

Caleb turned toward his approaching steward. “Mr. Zeal.” He nodded. “Let us start at the summer house. Along the way you can fill me in on any repairs that you already know are needed.”

Mr. Zeal nudged his horse, following Caleb. “The late duke gave me full run of the estate, but the budget he provided for upkeep was rather small. I have done my best, electing to keep up the main buildings at the expense of others. The manor house and stables received the most care.”

“I wish to take an active hand in the estates running. Rather than providing a budget for upkeep, you are to submit reports to me. After which I will evaluate the need and pay for the expenses.”

Mr. Zeal nodded. “You will find the summer house in need of exterior repairs. The interior has been maintained rather well.”

The house came into view, causing another memory to slam into Caleb, twisting his gut with long ago forgotten disgust.

At the sound of mother’s screams, Caleb drew near. The breathy sound emanated from the summer house. Certain she was in need of aide, he quickened his pace. “Mama.” He threw open the door then froze.

Mother leaned back on a chaise, her bodice pulled down to reveal her breasts and skirts pushed up to her waist. A man rutted between her thighs, but it was not father.

Her cold glare met him and she narrowed her eyes.

Caleb fled from the house not at all sure what to do. Later, Mother came to him and scolded him for spying.

“I thought you were hurt. I was not spying, mama. I came to save you.”

Her face reddened and eyes narrowed in furry. “Stop your lying.” She boxed his ears. “The worst mistake I ever made was marrying and giving birth.” She stormed away leaving him alone and confused.

Caleb turned his attention to Mr. Zeal. “Have it torn down. I will commission a new one to be built.” Caleb glanced out over the land. He’d commission it to be built in a different location on the estate, far removed from the memories of his mother’s treachery.

“Very well, Your Grace.”

They continued onto the next building, listing what needed to be done, then the next and so on until Caleb had taken inventory of them all. From what he had seen, Mr. Zeal was a capable steward and could be trusted to see to the repairs.

Having returned from their task, Caleb dismounted and tossed his reins to a nearby stable boy.

“I will work up a report and have it to you by this evening, Your Grace.” Mr. Zeal said.

Caleb gave a nod and started away, but stopped short having thought of one last thing. “Mr. Zeal.”

“Yes, Your Grace.”

“I want a bridge built over the river straight away. One sturdy enough to withstand the waters when they are high and fast moving.”

“As you wish, Your Grace.”

In desperate need of a strong drink and solitude, Caleb walked hastily back to the house. He could no more go back and save Maggie than he could part the sea, but he could damn sure make certain that no one else on the estate met with the same fate she had.