Page 17 of A Bride for the Sinful Duke

When Lord Campton continued looking at her, she forced herself to speak. “I understand.”

“But do you? This had to happen. Contrary to what you might think, it had nothing to do with money,” Algernon said. “The Duke approached me first. He was the one who requested your hand with the promise of settling our business problems. I had despaired over the fact that I would likely never find you a suitor at all, certainly not one willing to marry a woman affiliated with that scandalous nunnery. His offer was too good to pass up.”

He must think me still a naïve child.

“Not for money? If it wasn’t for money, I am at a loss to know what your motivations were to give your daughter’s hand to a stranger. Please indulge me, Father. You claim this was all for my benefit, so why did you dispose of me after Mother died? Was that too for my benefit?”

Algernon flinched.

“Juliet,” he began helplessly, “I was hurting too. Your mother’s death…it was a blow I could hardly bear.”

Juliet stared at him, her expression hardening.

“Did you think I was not struggling to endure the same blow? She was mymother. I watched her fall to her death! Rather than staying close to me, so we could heal from our loss together, you tossed me away when I needed you the most. And now you have brought me back, only to promptly send me awayagain.”

She sniffed. “What did I ever do to you?”

Algernon’s silence spoke volumes. He opened his mouth to speak, but no words came out.

Juliet let out a bitter laugh and shook her head. “I question why I ever try to speak with you; it always turns out the same.”

They fell into an uncomfortable silence that was heavy with the deep, painful words that had been left unsaid.

Lord Campton took a step forward, his face tight with regret. “I thought…I did what was best. For both of us.”

Juliet’s gaze softened slightly although her hurt would never be gone.

“Maybe one day, you’ll realize that what’s best forusisn’t always what’s easiest foryou.” That said, she stood up and walked away, her heart aching as she did.

CHAPTER 6

“Juliet, you must be so nervous!” Isabella’s voice broke through the hum of activity around her.

Isabella gathered the shirts of her pretty dress and hurried towards Juliet.

Juliet managed a small smile as the girl stepped into the room. She adjusted the corset and turned to get a good look at her back. The gown embraced her body’s curves like a second skin.

“Well, aren’t you?” Isabella repeated.

“Am I nervous? A little, yes,” Juliet replied.

The morning had started early with maids moving about, ensuring every detail was perfect. Juliet remained still as they worked on her hair and gown, but her mind was all over the place.

The news of her upcoming marriage was already consuming London society like wildfire. The added scourge of Mother Superior’s devilish undertakings did nothing to ease her notoriety. She could hear the sly whispers outside her door. “Did you hear she has been in a convent all these years?The poor girlwas thrust into marriage so suddenly. At her age, and with such a past…one can only wonder what this is all truly about.”

Juliet closed her eyes, willing herself to remain calm. She had expected this, the whispers and the judgments, but that didn’t make them any easier to bear.

“Hurry, Lady Juliet. Everyone’s eager to meet the bride,” Leila said as she walked into the room. “Ah, you look absolutely breathtaking, My Lady.”

“You flatter me, Leila,” Juliet said and smiled a little.

Finally, it was time. Juliet looked at her reflection one last time, taking in the sight of herself in the elegant white gown. The modiste had done an excellent job, and despite the comments, Juliet knew she was a beautiful bride.

Her father entered the room, his face an expression of pride and regret. “Juliet, you look radiant,” he said softly.

“Father,” Juliet acknowledged tensely, not yet ready to speak with him after their conversation the day before.

Her father was walking her down the aisle, and her stepmother would be somewhere in the crowd. As for her mother, the one person who truly deserved to be there, she was no more. On days like today, she wished for her mother the most. At least she would have had one person on her side.

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