Perhaps because it seemed to mean so much to Johanna.Was this another indication of love?That he cared because she did?
That seemed possible.
His hand drifted to the pocket of his waistcoat, fingers dipping in to rub over the familiar metal circle of his lucky coin.
Am I in love with my wife?
That was the question.
He did not even realize he’d pulled the coin out and flipped it until it was turning in the air.It was so habitual, he had not done it consciously.Startled, he jerked back, and for the first time in his life, he missed catching the coin.It slipped through his fingers, clattering to the wooden slats of the floor, and Matthew dropped down, slapping his hand on the ground…
But it was too late.The coin had rolled beneath the heavy armoire.Staring at the darkness beneath the large piece of furniture, Matthew felt his breath stutter.He hadn’t been separated from his lucky coin since… well, since he’d found it, so many years ago.
What happened?
His mind felt as though it had ground to a halt.
“Reedy!”His voice was high, strangled.“Reedy!”
Surely his valet had not gone far.Did Matthew need to ring for him?Blast… should he ring for him?The urge to flip his coin and find out was so strong he could barely think.
Thankfully, before he had to decide, the door to his bedroom flew open.
“Your Grace?Your Grace, what’s wrong?”Reedy came to a halt, frankly staring at Matthew, who was still on all fours in front of the armoire.
“I need you to help me move this!”Matthew could not keep the sheer panic from his voice as he jumped to his feet, bracing his shoulder against the wood, and tried to shove it aside himself.It did not even rock.
“Your Grace!”Reedy’s alarm was clear in his voice, but he came forward to stand beside Matthew, trying to push as well.
“My coin.”Matthew could barely get the words out.There was no breath in him to speak.“My coin rolled under it.”
He felt Reedy pause beside him, then the man pushed hard as well, both moving together.The armoire moved.Sort of.Barely.If it even budged a centimeter, Matthew would be surprised.
An axe.He needed an axe.Then he could chop the damn thing apart.
Was that the right decision?
Hell and damnation… how was he supposed to do this without his coin?
“Your Grace, please breathe,” Reedy said, putting his hand on Matthew’s shoulder.Only then did Matthew realize he was no longer pushing on the armoire—now he was braced against it in an attempt to remain on his feet.He was lightheaded, and his knees felt like they were going to collapse.“Your Grandmama is waiting downstairs.You need to go to the ball.I will take care of this while you are gone.It will likely take several footmen.”
“Right,” Matthew said hollowly, pushing himself upright.One night.One ball.Without his coin.God, he wanted to call the whole night off and stay home.But this was Johanna’s first ball as his wife; that would not be right, would it?If he had his coin, he could flip to know which was the better option.
It’s just one night.I can do this.
“Thank you, Reedy.”
“Of course, Your Grace.I’ll hand you your coin the moment you arrive home.”
Matthew nodded mutely, feeling very strange as he turned and walked away from the armoire.As if he was walking out into the world naked.As though he was missing a part of himself.
He felt unsteady on his feet as he walked down the hallway, heading to the front of the house.Voices drifted up the staircase as he approached, along with laughter.Out of the corner of his eye, he caught a glimpse of white at the end of the hall, but when he turned his head, they were already gone.
Probably Charlotte.
No wonder the staff was unnerved; they must think the house haunted at times.
At some point, he might need to speak with her about it.