My Bratty Wife
Chapter 114 - Hundred And Fourteen

Chapter 114: Chapter Hundred And Fourteen

Knock.

Knock..

Knock...

The rhythmic knock on the door interrupted Ryan’s thoughts. "Enter," he commanded, his voice barely a whisper.

Davis, his personal aide, stepped into the study, a letter enclosed in a red envelope held aloft between his fingers. "A letter for you, Your Grace," he announced, his tone respectful.

Ryan’s gaze shifted from the parchment before him to the expectant face of his aide. "From who?" he inquired, his voice tinged with curiosity.

"From Thorne," Davis replied, his expression solemn.

Ryan’s heart skipped a beat. Thorne. It hasn’t been long he sent a letter regarding the information he had. The fact that he is sending a red letter to Ryan, bypassing the usual channels of communication, could only mean one thing: the situation was dire.

With trembling fingers, Ryan tore open the envelope and unfolded the letter. His eyes scanned the page, his mind racing to read the uncertain message.

"I am on my way to Carleton," the letter read. "I have information that must be reported in person."

Ryan’s breath caught in his throat. Thorne is coming to Carleton? Why? Isn’t it too early to be back? What could possibly be so important that it necessitated a personal visit before the intended date?

He dropped the letter onto his desk, his mind reeling. He gestured for Davis to leave, his thoughts a mixture of emotions.

As Davis reached the door, Ryan’s voice stopped him in his tracks. "The Duchess has left, hasn’t she?" It was more of a statement than a question.

Davis nodded, his expression confirming Ryan’s suspicions. "Yes, Your Grace. She left moments ago."

Ryan’s heart sank. He had hoped that the Duchess wouldn’t go to the ball. But she was gone, being the stubborn woman she is, of course she would and she did.

"Tell Mary to send someone to prepare a bath for me," Ryan instructed, his voice weary. "I need to rest."

Davis nodded and withdrew from the room, leaving Ryan alone with his thoughts. As he sank into his chair, his thoughts kept swirling around the letter and the unknown information that is to come.

—————————-

Suzy swirled the flute of wine in her hand, the amber liquid shimmering under the soft glow of the ballroom lights. She had been searching for Baron Carew for the past hour, her gaze scanning the crowd for a face she didn’t recognize. Noah had given her a vague description, but it was like trying to find a needle in a haystack.

A sigh escaped her lips as she turned away from the dancers, her mind racing with possibilities. Perhaps she had misunderstood Noah’s description. Or maybe the baron had arrived late. She needed to think, to strategize, to figure out her next move.

As she leaned against a wall, watching the couples twirl and sway, a voice interrupted her thoughts. "At least you didn’t spit it out this time."

Suzy turned to see a woman standing beside her. She was unlike the other guests, dressed entirely in white – a flowing dress, gloves, a feathered fan, and a stick mask that obscured her face. She looked like an angel, ethereal and otherworldly. But Suzy knew better. Beneath that façade was a devil.

"I know that auburn curls from anywhere. I’m so glad you could make it, Cassandra," the woman said, removing her mask to reveal a face that was both familiar and unsettling. "But I didn’t remember giving you an invitation."

Suzy wanted to respond, to question Eleanor’s statement, but before she could, Eleanor cut her short.

"It doesn’t matter," Eleanor continued, ignoring Suzy’s attempt. "Where’s Ryan?"

Suzy’s eyes widened. She was taken aback by Eleanor’s question. Ryan was her husband, and Eleanor had no right to ask or feign concern for her husband.

Suzy’s annoyance was evident. "He couldn’t make it," she replied, her voice laced with a hint of frustration.

"Ohh" Eleanor’s gaze darted towards Suzy, her expression softening slightly. "I hope you’re not angry about my outburst that day at your garden," she said, her voice filled with a mixture of pretense and apology.

Suzy forced a smile, trying to downplay the incident. "Of course not," she replied, her voice light. "I figured out you might have been intoxicated because I couldn’t see any reason a single lady would be concerned about someone else’s husband."

Eleanor’s anger flared, and she stepped closer to Suzy, her voice rising. "Do you know why Ryan..." she began, her voice trailing off as a familiar voice interrupted her.

"Eleanor! Enough."

Both women turned to see a man with a white mask approaching them. Suzy recognized the voice immediately. It was Ryan.

"What was he doing here?" She thought to herself. He didn’t want anything to do with Eleanor that is why he didn’t follow her to the ball so why the change of heart?

The next thing he did shocked Suzy. He strode past her, took Eleanor’s hand and led her away, leaving Suzy standing alone. A wave of hurt washed over her as she watched them disappear from sight.

Suzy couldn’t shake the feeling of betrayal.

She had told herself there was no reason to feel hurt, that she has no reason to do so, no reason to be jealous, but the sight of him leaving without even a glance in her direction cut deep.

She composed herself and continued her search for Baron Carew. Coming outside of the ballroom, her heart pounded in her chest as she watched the carriage carrying Baron Carew disappear down the cobbled street. She had been searching for him for hours, her hope dwindling with each passing moment.

"Wait!" she shouted, her voice raised slightly as she ran attempting to catch up with the carriage. "Please, wait. Don’t go. I need to talk to you!" But the carriage continued its journey, the sound of its wheels fading into the distance. She stopped, closed her eyes, inhaling and exhaling trying to calm herself and her heart that was beating fast from running.

She leaned against the nearest wall, her breath coming in ragged gasps. She felt a wave of despair wash over her.

" Opportunity wasted." She said to herself.