Page 10 of A Bride for the Sinful Duke

To her dear friend’s brother, no less.

She had heard so many things about him, but Lydia’s view of him diametrically opposed that of the Ton. Juliet was confused and did not know what to expect. She resented his dismissal of her concerns and was especially bitter over how he’d ignored her when she’d raised matters that did not align with his intentions.

She had been especially disconcerted when they’d stood so close to each other. It had caused something in Juliet to lurch in a manner that was alien to her. It wasn’t exactly discomfort, but it had left her with an odd itch she did not know how to scratch. All the more confusing, thinking of her husband to be did not make her as angry as she thought she should feel.

After having paced for what felt like an eternity, Juliet finally lay down on the bed, exhausted from the day’s events. Despite her anger, she yawned deeply as sleep slowly washed everything away.

“I trust the meeting went well, Your Grace?”

Hector shrugged off his coat and handed it over to his butler, John, deliberating over what words he could use to accurately describe what had transpired during the previous half hour.

Becausewellwas not the word he could apply.

“It was certainly interesting,” the Duke stated eventually.

“Is that a good thing, Your Grace?” John questioned, looking confused.

Hector hesitated. “It was unexpected. I had imagined that a friend of my sister would have mirrored her in character, not to mention that she had been living in a nunnery for the better part of a decade, but the woman I met today…”

He thought of her defiant stare, bold words, and her flushed cheeks when he had been in close proximity to her.

Lady Juliet might not have been what he’d expected, but she was certainly fascinating to watch. If she had been anyone else, he might have succumbed to his sudden urge to do much more than exchange pointless sentences with her.

Hector felt as though her reaction to him might have urged him to rethink his plan to keep his promise to Lydia, but for some reason, he was still set on seeing it through.

“It does not matter what happened,” he stated confidently to John, more for his benefit than the butler’s, “because in two days, she will become my Duchess. And then, neither of our pasts shall matter.”

CHAPTER 4

“Hector, my dear cousin,” Marcus greeted with a teasing smile as he strolled into Hector’s elegantly furnished study. “I hear you are to become a married man tomorrow. Even Jonathan is shocked. Never thought I’d see the day.”

Standing at the window and gazing at the bustling London Street below, Hector grimly turned to face Marcus.

“I am not doing this for myself, Marcus. What is it you want?”

“You do not seem to be excited to be a groom although I cannot say I am surprised.” Marcus approached and placed a comforting hand on his cousin’s shoulder.

“I understand your devotion to Lydia’s memory, Hector, but you must remember that she was not responsible for what happened and neither were you. The lady that you intend to wed out of obligation to your sister is a person, not a means to an end.”

Hector sighed, his stern resolve momentarily wavering. “I know, Marcus, but this marriage is my sworn duty, and there is nothing more to it. This is a promise I must fulfill.”

Marcus nodded thoughtfully, taking a seat across from Hector. “I wish you wouldn’t restrict yourself to such a mindset. I know you feel this is necessary, but don’t forget to see Juliet for who and what she is. She may surprise you yet. Moreover, she has played no part in the tragedies that have befallen our family.”

Hector looked at Marcus with a sigh. He was among the few people who knew his reason for getting married. “I have already made the arrangements. The wedding will take place as planned.”

“It’s a shame your friend, the Duke of Silverbrook, couldn’t be here,” Marcus continued. “Last I heard, he’s vacationing with his family in Ireland."

“Yes,” Hector replied. “Perhaps that is for the best.”

“I’m surprised you do not wish to wait for your dear friend to be in attendance,” Marcus said, stroking his beard. “Is there something you are not telling me?"

“I do not wish to contract the spreading illness amongst you,” replied Hector.

His friend might have been a rake like him, but once he’d wedded, the Duke of Silverbrook underwent a change, similar to his cousin after he wed.

“What illness?” Marcus questioned, bewildered.

“The one that stopped Jonathan from partaking in our usual frolicking since he married. The same one stopping you ever since you married. It must be a sickness.”

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