Page 30 of A Whisper of Desire
“It gets worse. He used Maitland’s name to entice her to a meeting and then compromised her to the point where she was left with no choice but to marry Maitland’s father. Does that sound familiar?”
That is what had happened to Marisa, but Maitland did the honorable thing and asked for her hand. “Did Maitland not step up to protect her? If he loved her, surely he was the alternative, her savior.”
“She would not marry Maitland. She married the father. I do not understand why, you’ll have to ask her.”
Marisa’s face heated. She was not about to do that. Suddenly the idea of a beautiful woman sharing her husband’s house for years, a woman he had loved, filled her with dread. Had she also shared his bed? Was he still in love with her?
“Maitland’s father died a month after the wedding and she has remained at the estate ever since. She already had a child from her marriage with the baron, and she bore a child from her marriage to the late duke. I don’t mean to hurt you but rather prepare you. The rumor is that Maitland and Priscilla are, and have always been, lovers, even before the death of Maitland’s father. The rumor is that the daughter could be his, and that is why a woman as beautiful as Priscilla has never remarried.”
No wonder Maitland was so determined to do the honorable thing and wed Marisa; he’d had to watch Priscilla marry a cad. “I wonder, if these rumors are true, why he has never married her?”
“That’s something you need to ask your husband and why I don’t believe the rumors of an affair.”
If the child was Maitland’s, he was too honorable not to have married Priscilla. However, that did not mean they were not having an affair or had not had an affair. She rubbed her temples. This was so confusing.
“Don’t make my mistake; don’t hide your feelings. It’s too late for me, but it’s not for you. Talk with your husband and start your marriage on truth, not innuendo.”
Sound advice. Advice was easy to give but far harder to follow. Maitland was still virtually a stranger, and to her surprise Marisa was finding that where courage was concerned, she lacked it when it came to confronting her husband. She wasn’t scared of him, merely intimidated. He exuded confidence and influence, whereasshewas a young woman with a lot to learn. Look how easily Rutherford had fooled her.
Quite frankly, this experience had shattered her self-confidence. How did one weed through the lies and recognize the truth? Could she trust any man’s good character?
Sebastian trusted Maitland, so perhaps she should too. She needed to talk with her brother. He would tell her the truth about these rumors.
“Thank you, Rose, for sharing your confidences with me. I am not really sure how to navigate the waters. I almost feel as if I’m drowning. I have to take over the running of his homes, appear to be happy in my rushed marriage, and try and understand my husband, who is not the most demonstrative man.”
Rose stood and held out her arm. “Come on. Let’s face thetontogether. We duchesses must stay together. Perhaps I can help you demystify married life with His Grace, while you can help me regain a semblance of a reputation.”
Marisa stood and linked arms with her new friend. “I’d like that. You have been in my situation, married off to a man you did not know or love.” As they strolled into the ballroom, she added, “Besides, any friend of Portia’s is a friend of mine.”
Beatrice was waving at them from farther into the room. The ladies made their way toward her, chatting, purposely ignoring the stares gathering around them like buzzing bees at a hive. The bees made lots of noise, but luckily the ladies received no stings—as of yet.
“Hello, Rose,” Beatrice offered, as she came to meet them, before quickly turning a scowl on Marisa. “I’ve been looking everywhere for you. Helen said you’d been out on the terrace together with a group of acquaintances, and then when she looked for you, you were gone. She’s frantic with worry, and she’s gone to fetch Sebastian and the men.”
“I’m sorry. I got detained outside—”
“By whom? Are you hurt?” Strong hands began feeling up her arms. Marisa glowed inside at her husband’s obvious concern.
Maitland, accompanied by Sebastian, moved protectively around her. For once he looked harassed, and Sebastian’s face was also full of concern. Lord Cumberland suddenly appeared at Rose’s side, and they exchanged a brief look.
“Her Grace came to my assistance when I turned my ankle outside in the garden,” Rose proclaimed rather loudly, before lowering her voice to a whisper and adding, “Perhaps we should take this discussion someplace with more privacy. Ears and eyes are watching.”
The men nodded and Marisa gave Maitland her arm. Conversing casually, the group moved toward the vacant supper room. Once inside, Maitland ensured no one could overhear them and then raised an imperious eyebrow that all but said “Speak.”
“Lord Rutherford made a nuisance of himself” was all Marisa was going to say about the incident.
“A little more than a nuisance, Your Grace,” Lord Cumberland offered. “If I hadn’t come along when I did…”
She inwardly cursed. This was exactly what she didn’t want revealed.
“Would you see my wife home, please, Sebastian?”
“Of course. Come, Marisa, Helen, and Beatrice. It’s time we left.” Sebastian rounded on her, but she was not leaving.
Coldness soaked into her bones. “Why can’t you see me home?” she asked Maitland.
His mouth merely firmed. “Go home with your brother.”
She placed her hand on his arm. “There is no need to further this incident. Lord Cumberland made sure Rutherford will not be stupid enough to come near me again. Please, for the sake of my reputation and in order to starve the gossips regarding our marriage, can you let this pass?”
