Page 17 of A Duchess Untouched

“We shall see,” Oliver murmured, although he did not seem interested in moving south at all. Matthew knew his brother well enough. “You should be more concerned about our mother. She is absolutely indignant with you.”

“Because I interrupted her soiree the other night?” Matthew asked cheekily, a grin forming on his face. “She will survive.”

“Partly, perhaps,” Oliver replied with a chuckle. “But mostly it is because Harleigh Quinten has just moved into the house. I believe Mother nearly fainted upon seeing your father-in-law arriving with his bags.”

“Mother will recover,” Matthew said, not feeling any sympathy toward his mother’s concerns. “Based on her schedule, she has planned a ball, a soiree, a garden tea, and more for every week of the Season. She should hardly see Quinten. She will not even have to converse with him.”

The two brothers walked for a few paces, neither prepared to reenter the house. Maximus followed the two of them, sniffing the grass avidly. In the silence, Matthew could only hear twigs snapping and the dog panting.

Then Matthew remembered something. He did not want to ask, but he had to. His throat was practically hurling the words out.

“And my wife?” he asked, even as his eyes looked to the horizon. “Where is she?”

“She is out,” Oliver replied smoothly.

Matthew stopped where he was, his eyes turning toward his brother. He had no right to care about where Selina was. For four years, he did not know what her comings and goings were like. Therefore, the irritation he felt in his chest was wholly unexpected.

“Out? Is it not a little too early for her to be out?” he asked, knowing that he sounded like his old headmaster.

Oliver tilted his head and watched his brother, raising his brows in curiosity. It looked like he shared Matthew’s sentiments.

Why would I care about Selina’s schedule? She can go wherever she likes.

“Yes. She left in a carriage after eating breakfast.”

“Is she often out?” Matthew wanted to know. He did not like how sharp his tone came out.

“Well, yes, I believe she is out most of the time,” Oliver replied, pulling his thick cloak around him more tightly. “It appears that she visits her family often. She also spends time at her charity for widows. As for the rest of her interests… I know nothing about them.”

What other interests could a married woman have that keep her away so often?

Matthew’s jaw clenched. What did he really expect? That Selina would be in the drawing room, tending to her embroidery or reading books every day? When he left her alone for years, he also took away the option of walking with him or attending social events as a couple.

He should not care. Still, the thought of her riding in the carriage through the city alone and out of sight made something deep and dark coil in his stomach.

It was possessiveness.

He reminded himself that he was about to leave her once more. Because of that, she could do whatever she wished with her time. They might be married, but they were not living as a couple. Therefore, he had no claim on her time or on what she did. Last night, he had given her the equivalent of a rejection. What did he expect to happen next?

Still, his cheek twitched at the thought of his wife being somewhere else.

Talking to God knows who. Enjoying their company. Or worse…

He brushed the thoughts off.

“It does not matter. She is free to do what she likes,” he muttered. Then, when he and his brother circled back to where he was firing his pistol, he picked the weapon from the ledge.

“Has there been any progress with finding Mary?” Oliver asked.

It was clear he had to force himself to ask. The brothers were both aware that this was a sensitive question. It was what kept Matthew away in the first place. Not even their mother knew about the whole affair. They had decided not to upset her in case nothing came of it.

“None, Oliver. There were some possibilities that turned out to be nothing. Unfortunately, we also had some women pretend to be Mary to avail of money, or more. We have searched in various places. Registry offices, docks, and taverns. Small alleys. Small villages. It is almost like she vanished without a trace.”

“That is really unfortunate,” Oliver murmured thoughtfully.

“It is. It is also why I must leave soon.” Matthew watched Maximus circle back toward them.

“You could stay a little longer this time. Just a week or two more.”