Page 53 of My Beastly Duke

“Everything will be fine, Mama. I promise the duke is a cold and unfeeling man, but he will not leave us without a penny. He will ensure that we have a comfortable life,” she said confidently, trying to reassure her mother.

Placing her hands on her knees, Lady Wallace sighed. “Not that we will have to worry about that even if he refuses to give you a penny.”

Marina’s brows creased into a frown as she stared at her mother.

“The baron of course. I think the shock was too great for you to consider the implications of his death. Of course, we will have to arrange a funeral and mourning service. Lord knows that theman will not be missed, but it will be expected of us.” She pushed herself up from her knees and made her way over to the tray of tea where she poured them each a fresh cup.

“Mama, can you please stop talking in riddles? My head is already aching from the shock.” Marina lifted her hand and massaged the side of her temple, hoping that the shock and onslaught of emotions would not make her ill. When all was said and done, she still wished to cherish the little life that was growing inside of her.

“Dearest, do you not recall that the only reason the baron had gotten the title along with the inheritance, was because he was thefirst line before one of your cousins?” Lady Wallace brought over the fresh cup of tea and handed it to her daughter.

Realization dawned on her when her mind finally felt clear enough to think.

Her mother nodded as she looked at her daughter. “Your cousin Alfred is a much kinder soul and even commentedoccasionally that he would gladly support me and your sister should the title and estate ever pass to him.”

“That does paint quite a different picture.” Marina nodded as she understood her mother’s relief. Their cousin would do what was right by her mother and sister.

“Exactly.” Lady Wallace nodded. “All is right with the world, even if a hateful man had to lose his life to achieve it.” Her shoulders slumped in relief as she sipped her tea. “I guess I wasa bit harsh with Prudence, I had better go and fetch her. She will be sulking in her chambers by now.” Her mother was about to stand when Marina beat her to it.

“I will go, Mama, I needto move around a bit. I will check on Prudence, you can stay here and finish your tea.” She offered her mother a reassuring smile before heading toward the door and leaving the parlor.

The world seemed upside down to her as she made her way up the stairs, taking her time to run the tips of her fingers over the railing.

The baron was dead, she was with child, and her mother and sister were set for life. It seemed strange to her that it had only been two months ago that she had walked into the duke’s home, demanding satisfaction.

Had satisfaction been achieved?

She paused for a moment at the top of the stairs, running her hand over her abdomen. It would only be a few more weeks before she began to show. She could not even imagine how life would be when her child was born.

Our child.

She reminded herself of the reality of her situation.

The child in her womb belonged to Aaron as much as it belonged to her.

Aaron. The man who did not return her love.

Chapter 22

“Is your plan to build an ark? Is there a flood coming, or are you intending on kidnapping your wife and sailing away if she does not accept your apology?” Adam placed his hands on his hips and stared at the mess of timber scattered across the grass.

Placing his hands on his knees and coming up straight, Aaron dusted his palms together and smirked. “Marina has always wanted a menagerie. I am going to build her one, albeit a small one, but it is something to start. I will go over plans for a bigger one to be built while we are away on honeymoon.”

“And what do you plan on placing inside this small one? A few rabbits?” Adam continued to tease his brother.

“Well, for starters, that bloody bird can fly around freely in this one. I can’t wait for him to be out of my house,” Aaron grumbled.

Henry VIII had taken to cursing whenever Aaron walked past the cage. He had decided to give them a few days to sort out the funeral for the Baron of Wallace before making his grand gesture of love.

Love.

The word felt utterly strange to him, even if he had not said it out loud.

Adam threw his hands up in the air. “In the poor bird’s defense, he is trying his best. This morning, he said ‘whole’ and I am taking that to mean a whole lot of progress.” He finished triumphantly.

Shaking his head in exasperation, Aaron looked at his younger brother with pity. “I think you misheard, Adam. He has taken to calling the butler a ‘whore’. I think he picked it up from your conversations with the footmen.”

Blushing ever so slightly, Adam drew his lips between his teeth, stifling his laughter.

---