Page 79 of Taken By the Broken Duke
“I am aware that my sister and your... friend have painted me in the worst possible light, but I am here to save you, body and soul, from a great and wicked sinner.”
Juliet folded her arms and lifted her chin.
“We have been here before, Reverend. Not with you perhaps but with others whom I believe were fellow conspirators. The Kimberley's for example. Or at least Meredith. And possibly the patriarch of that family at the time, the Duke of Marlingford himself. They tried to make me testify against Horatio. Made me lie and destroy the lives of two men as a result. I will not lie again.”
“Miss Semphill, I played no part in what happened all those years ago. I did recommend that Jane break off her engagement to that man as it seemed the most prudent course of action. But I was not a conspirator. Merely an observer. But now, I must ceaseto be an impartial observer and become an active participant. I came here to reconcile with my sister...”
“If you played no part, then why the need to reconcile?” Juliet interrupted.
“Because Jane had become affiliated with... Catholics. In order to fund her school, she went not to the Church of England but to Rome. Under the influence of her papist husband. Whose family was rumored to have supported the pretender to the throne fifty years ago. The Jacobite Charles. I had prayed for her and my answer became clear. I could not let religious dogma come between two siblings who are the last of their line.”
Ainsworth sounded genuine, even humble. Juliet narrowed her eyes.
“But you are here now because you wish to turn me against Horatio,” she said, “no matter what your story about why you came to Carlisle. That is what you intended by coming here, is it not?”
“Tosaveyou, and only because of what I witnessed at my sister's home. Had I not seen what I have seen, I would not have come here.”
Juliet sat, arranging her skirts for a moment, and then looked up at Ainsworth calmly.
“Very well. What did you see?” she asked.
Was this the moment of final truth? When she would discover Horatio's choice? Her heart raced, she swallowed, willing the moment to be over and done with.
“I witnessed my sister and the Duke of Ravenscourt... engaged in...intimacy. Scandalous, sinful intimacy of the kind that should not happen except within the bounds of lawful wedlock.”
“Intimacy,” Juliet said flatly.
Her heart stopped. Her stomach clenched and a dark despair fell over her. It was as she had expected. As she had predicted. The dream was over. The impossible dream that she could ever be truly happy.
“I am afraid so. I fear that my sister still harbors feelings for the Duke, feelings which she could not hold back upon seeing him. I am sorry to be the bearer of such bad news. I did not know where you might be found but reasoned that the Swan would be a good place to start. It is the best inn Carlisle has.”
Juliet nodded. “Well reasoned, Reverend. And what would you have me do now that I know this?'
“Do not remain here! I can take you away from this nest of sin and from his wicked influence. You needn't return to the Godwins if you do not wish. I know that they have not treated you in a very Christian way.”
Juliet scoffed. “I should say not. Where would you have me go then?” she asked.
“I can offer you sanctuary!” Ainsworth exclaimed, “somewhere that the Duke will not find you.”
“And you would have me speak out against him?”
“No! I would save your soul. That is all I care about. I do not play the games our peers are obsessed with. I care not for gossip,” Ainsworth said.
“Then you have missed your calling, brother, for you do it so very well,” Jane Bonel said from the doorway.
Juliet's head whipped around. Jane stood there, Horatio behind her. Juliet rose and Jane came to her with open arms.
“Juliet, I do not love Horatio as anything more than a brother. And he loves me as a sister. My brother is making his last roll of the dice to destroy Horatio's life.”
She embraced Juliet who looked over her shoulder at Horatio with wonder. He was glaring at Ainsworth who shrank back from the stare.
“There was no intimacy. We talked and Horatio took great pains to tell me that he loved another. He was most concerned that he did not hurt my feelings. But he did not realize, that actually, he was assuaging them. For I had held the same worry ever sinceyou came to see me. I thought I would break his heart. But, it belongs to another.You,” Jane said kindly.
“One of the pupils said they had seen a priest loitering outside the school. We thought we should return forthwith before you could work any mischief,” Horatio muttered darkly, “and I see we arrived not a moment too soon.”
“I think I must write to the bishop concerning your behavior, brother. You cannot be allowed to go about spreading lies and hiding behind your collar,” Jane said, sternly.
“The Bishop of London is a close friend and ally. I don't think he will take your word over mine,” Ainsworth scoffed.
