Page 43 of A Picture Is Worth A Thousand Heirs

“Juliana.” Burwood sighed again, softening back to a brother who only wanted the best for his sister, something Victor understood. Deep in thought, the duke toyed with the papers on his desk once more. “I want Juliana to be happy. To have the kind of marriage that I have. One based on love.” He raised his eyes to Victor. “Do you love my sister?”

“We barely know each other. I dare say there hasn’t been sufficient time for either of us to have developed such feelings.” Odd, but he had fallen in love with Adalyn in half the time he’d spent with Juliana. “I like her. Esteem her.”

From the expression on the duke’s face, Victor’s words had fallen flat. Victor couldn’t blame Burwood for wanting more for his sister. And he had no idea the courtship Victor had with Juliana was all a pretense. “If I may, sir. Are you familiar with the scandal that sent my sister into hiding in Lincolnshire?”

“You’re speaking of the orchestrated compromise with Ashton. What I know of it from Honoria paints your sister as much of a victim as Ashton.”

“Her Grace is generous. I won’t excuse Cilla, but yes, she was young and malleable, yielding to my mother’s machinations.”

Head tilted back toward the ceiling, Burwood pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed. “Your point?”

Right. “I have one, I promise. Ashton pleaded with Cilla to release him. He suggested they proceed with the betrothal, but that before the wedding Cilla could cry off, painting him as a cad who had used her.”

Burwood’s attention snapped back, his gaze spearing Victor. “You’re suggesting Juliana do the same.”

“If she does not want to marry me, yes. Have her heap the blame on me. Perhaps before then we can discover who is behind these spurious reports and prove them false.”

“It’s best not to delay the wedding. If Juliana agrees, the banns should be read immediately, which doesn’t give you much time.”

“I understand, sir. However, I am fully prepared to honor my promise to marry her, if she so wishes. The decision is in her hands.”

“Then let us ask her.” Burwood rose, rang the bell pull, and instructed Frampton to fetch Juliana.

Juliana’s stomachtwisted in a knot, waiting for Drake, and possibly Victor, to return. Honoria had excused herself and rushed off to send messages to the League for an emergency meeting, leaving Juliana alone with her mother.

“What’s taking them so long?” Juliana lifted a hand to her mouth.

Her mother laid a staying hand on Juliana’s arm. “Stop, dearest, or you will chew your nails to stubs. Trust Drake to handle things. I suspect he wants to determine Victor’s feelings for you.”

Juliana sighed. “But that’s just it, Mama. Victor doesn’t really want to marry me. I could see it in his eyes. He’s asking out of duty because he’s a gentleman.” Not to mention their courtship was a sham.

“And what do you want? Don’t lie to me. I’m familiar with how your face softens whenever you look at Victor. You forget, I was a woman in love long ago.”

Remorse squeezed Juliana’s chest that her mother referred not to Juliana’s father, but to her first husband. “Did you love Papa, too?”

Mother pulled Juliana into her arms. “Of course I did. It was a different kind of love than I had for Henry. Quiet and comfortable, not the tumultuous riot of feelings that nearly tore me apart. But never doubt that I loved Francis. We were friends first and foremost. He was a good man, and we had a wonderful life together.”

The words of her father that long ago evening when he’d been in his cups resurfaced.I know your mother will never love me as I love her. And yet, I don’t care.Would her love for Victor be enough for both of them? Would she settle as her father had?

“If Drake gives his blessing, will you accept Victor’s proposal?” Concern shone in her mother’s eyes.

“I don’t know.” Her answer, no more than a whisper, held both hope and despair.

Frampton appeared in the doorway. “His Grace requests you join him and Mr. Pratt in the study, Miss Merrick.”

Her mother rose. “I’m coming with you.”

Juliana grasped her mother’s hand, and together they walked toward Juliana’s future.

Drake and Victor rose upon seeing them, the smile forming on Victor’s lips not reaching his eyes.

Pain pricked Juliana’s heart like a sharp needle.

Drake and Victor exchanged a glance, then Drake said, “I have accepted Mr. Pratt’s offer for your hand, Juliana. However, given the circumstances, he and I both agree the choice should ultimately be yours.”

“Please sit, Miss Merrick.” Victor motioned to the chair he had vacated.

Drake guided Mother to the chair behind his desk, then stood to the side, melting into the shadows. An ominous portentshrouded the room and its occupants, and the pain in Juliana’s chest spread like a disease.

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