Page 92 of A Bride for the Sinful Duke

It was such a relief to her that Lord Somerton and Anne had decided to visit during Hector’s absence. She had expected him to return weeks ago, but it seemed that his urgent business affairs were intent on keeping him away much longer.

“Your Grace,” Lord Somerton greeted in the earnest way he always did as he walked in, followed closely by his lovely sister. “Good afternoon. How are you faring today?”

Juliet fought the urge to spill her disconcerted feelings but forced a smile as she replied, “I am fine, thank you. How are both of you faring?”

“Oh, no differently from last week. Are you sure you are all right, though? Forgive me if I seem a bit too forward, but you look a little distressed.” the Earl responded, frowning slightly.

“Have you not been sleeping well?” Anne fussed gently. “You look a little tired.”

Juliet bit her lower lip, trying not to appear as weak as she felt.

Since Hector’s departure, Juliet was constantly under duress to attend social functions in his absence. She continued to remain intent on convincing people that she had nothing to be ashamed of and no reason to hide. However, her reception at each of those events had been incredibly discouraging and demeaning.

People would sneer, point at her, and whisper about how she was intent on posing as though she was perfect and above them all, even though she was nothing but a nameless nobody who somehow ended up charming the Duke into becoming his wife.

“Your husband has been away for a while now, Your Grace,” a woman had said mockingly to her face at the luncheon she attended two days ago. “Are you certain that you are still married? I jest, but perhaps a closer look at your marriage is required.”

As much as Juliet wished to ignore and overlook such conversations, she didn’t have the undeniable proof that things were fine between her and Hector.

The beginning of their relationship had been rocky, and although things had started to smooth over before he left, she now worried that the distance between them might once again tear them apart.

“I am just…I worry for Hector. His work seems to be taking quite some time, and I wonder if he is getting enough rest and eating well. There were times when he did not come down to eat for a day here or there and would refuse whatever was brought to his study. Now that he is so far from me, I cannot help but assume the worst,” she said, only half lying.

“I am sure he is doing fine, Your Grace. Especially with someone as wonderful as you are waiting for him at home. I am willing to wager that he cannot wait to return to you,” Anne encouraged with a smile.

“Dear sister, although your sweet words are very kind, I feel as though we should not make assumptions about the Duke.” Somerton shrugged with an apologetic expression.

“What…what do you mean?” Juliet asked nervously.

The man looked concerned for a moment then he sighed and leaned forward slightly.

“Your Grace, I really do not mean to give the impression that I disrespect the Duke. It is because I care for him and you that I feel as though it is only fair that you know this. His Grace…has not been known as a man who settles. He has always had an eye for perfection, wanting everything in his life to be right and good; otherwise, he would cast it aside. The same could be said for his choice of partners during the trysts he engaged in…”

“Edwin!” Anne scolded him in shock. “Why on earth would you bring that up to his wife!”

Juliet held a hand up, silencing Anne quickly.

“No,” the Duchess swallowed hard. “This is something I believe I must hear. Go on, Lord Somerton.”

The Earl flashed a look at his sister, his eyes narrowing for a moment before he continued.

“Again, I do not wish to cause you any distress, Your Grace. I merely wish to prepare your mind in case the worst were tohappen. We would like nothing more than to believe that the Duke is committed to you wholly, but old habits cannot easily be suppressed. Considering his decision to stay away from home for this long, we must consider the possibility that his attention and affections have wandered elsewhere. We hope that is not the truth, we truly do, but with all the rumors that are going about…”

“Which are cruel and unfounded, Your Grace. And I am so sorry you have to endure such blasphemy,” Anne interrupted her brother again, looking angrily at him.

“Yes, dear sister. They are cruel, but they possess enough elements of truth for them to be believable,” Somerton said, glaring at his sister, his expression brightening as he turned to Juliet once more. “It is likely that whatever they might be, truths or falsehoods, your husband might have started to rethink his decision to marry you. It would not be the first time that someone of his status and…predilections did not wish to associate with someone they considered to be…flawed. Broken, if you will.”

Juliet could not believe that it was true. She hoped that Lord Somerton’s suppositions were mistaken.

Hector had promised that his work wouldn’t keep him away for too long. Now, they were approaching their fourth week apart, and she had barely heard from him. She had sent many letters, and within the first two weeks, she had received enough correspondence to make her feel as though all was well or at least would be.

It had now been many days since he’d sent her a letter. He had written to the housekeeper to enquire about the state of the household but not to her.

Had he really begun to regret his decision to marry her? Was keeping his promise to his sister not as important as protecting his reputation and honor?

This situation reminded her of her mother’s passing. How everyone had given her looks of pity and suspicion as though they were waiting for her to display the same behaviors her mother had exhibited before her demise. Even her own father did not want her afterwards and had opted to banish her and move on with his life alongside a new and untarnished family.

Was this all I was meant to be? Easily replaceable?

---