Page 82 of A Bride for the Sinful Duke

No, that honor was reserved for the heading that stated, “Will the Duke of Islington’s Marriage Lead to his Eventual Ruin?”

Written below the title were rumors surrounding their marriage, claiming that Juliet and Hector had engaged in some scandalous acts, and that their wedding was a means of covering it up.Another angle was that Hector was trying to cleanse his image and decided that marrying a forgotten girl from a condemned nunnery would make him appear a saint, boosting his business deals.

Another claim written on the sheet was that Juliet or her family had pressured the Duke into marrying her because they knew a secret of his and were after his fortune.

Some of the rumors that Lord Somerton had mentioned to her were also listed within the speculations about the true nature of their marriage, leaving Juliet with an uneasy feeling in the pit of her stomach.

The last paragraph tried to remind the reader that all of the speculations were nothing more than that—speculations—pointing out that “The couple had stunned all who had attended Lord Gainsbury’s ball last night as they took to the dance floor, gazes fixed on no one else but each other. The Duke and Duchess not only painted a stunning picture together, but their closeness serves to say that, perhaps, they are pleased together and in love.”

“Juliet…”

“Is this what people really think? Do they really believe that we had such…dishonorable reasons for getting married?”

Hector sighed and took the sheet from her, handing it over to John with orders to toss it into the fire on his way out before he focused his full attention back on his wife.

“It does not matter what they think. We know it is not true. We know what our marriage is genuinely like because we live it. Do not pay the sheet any mind; it is merely senseless drivel concocted to steal your peace,” he told her gently, leaning forward to press a firm kiss to her temple. “Do not let it consume you.”

Juliet nodded and tried to put it out of her mind, but she couldn’t help but wonder what it was that made people concoct such lies.

She still did not understand what Hector stood to gain by marrying her, but she wanted to believe that he was content with their marriage, especially now that they were getting along so well.

It was difficult knowing that the circumstances of their wedding hadn’t been ideal, but she desperately tried to trust in what she and Hector had recently found in each other.

The days that followed were spent together blissfully, reveling in each other’s company, becoming closer and closer. Juliet found contentment just sitting with a book in Hector’s study while he worked, patiently waiting for him to finish and come to her for affection.

They were nearly always in each other’s embrace with Hector determined to take her wherever and whenever he could. He had her in his lap in his study two days earlier, and the day after that he had pressed her into the soft cushions of a settee in the drawing room and repeatedly claimed her from behind.

Juliet felt immensely fulfilled, thoroughly adored and worshipped, and she only hoped that he felt the same.

“I cannot recall the last time I felt so at peace,” he said to her one afternoon as they lazed about in the garden.

His head was in her lap, and her fingers were gently combing through his hair, pretending that she was not fixated on how handsome he was. Occasionally, she would lean down and steal a kiss from him, and he would smile and let her get away with it. Juliet’s heart would swell with warmth.

“I am glad you have it now. Peace.” She smiled sweetly at him, gently tugging at a slightly tangled lock of hair.

“I did not believe I deserved it. Not after the life I had lived. Not after all that I had lost. Not even after I had married you, and it felt like I’d given up on the only semblance of peace I had. I did not realize that you were the peace I needed.”

“At least you know now,” she nodded, giggling when he poked at her stomach.

“Cheeky,” he half-heartedly glared, then sighed. “There is something I must tell you.”

“Do you secretly regret not rolling down the hill with your cousin and the pigs?”

Hector was silent for a moment then stated, “I think it is in my best interest for you and Marcus to never cross paths again.”

“No,” Juliet whined with a laugh. “But I like his wife! She is so lovely.”

“You are much lovelier.” Hector sniffed.

“You are biased, darling.”

“That is not a bad thing, though.”

Juliet smiled, happy and warm. “No…I suppose it is not. I am sorry, you said you had something to tell me.”

Hector nodded, pulling himself up into a seated position.

“You had asked earlier why I married you. I was never honest with you about my reasons, and now, I wish to change that.”

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