Page 13 of Falling for a Forsaken Marquess
The winds picked up within moments of leaving the building and whipped past his face as though someone was wailing into his ears. Still, William kept riding out into the vast greenery of the estate until he could hardly feel his face.
Thoroughly spent and needing something to warm his insides, he turned back to the house with a mind that was no less clear than before, but at least his emotions were not threatening to spill over. There had been a time in his life when marriage had been welcome, and he had sought it with Charlotte.
William had been more carefree those days, and nothing had bothered him to the point of distraction and unhappiness. The old William would likely think his present self to be a pessimistic and annoying fellow who sucked lemons throughout the day.
Unfortunately, the double betrayal had altered his disposition and forced him to put himself back together much stronger than before. If that meant being unlikeable and severe-looking, so be it.
As William neared the stately building, he sensed something was wrong when he found the servants whispering among themselves. He was tempted to ask what the matter was, but the need to get into the house and warm himself was more important. The indoor servants seemed just as disturbed when William entered the house. He called out to their housekeeper, heading up the stairs, motioning for her to come down.
“My Lord,” she said, reaching the last step.
“Can you tell me what has disturbed the servants, Mrs McGraw?”
The woman’s eyes clouded over with an emotion he could not read. “I think it best that you go to the parlour, My Lord.”
“Why not simply tell me?” he said a tad impatiently.
William was cold and still annoyed by how much closer he was to getting married. He didn’t need someone to beat about the bush.
“It is not my place, My Lord,” she replied apologetically. “Please, go to the parlour, and all will be revealed. May I be excused?”
William nodded, sending her away. The housekeeper’s words were cryptic, but she had said his answer was in the parlour. Somewhat confused, William did as Mrs McGraw suggested and made his way to the room. Upon entering, he immediately noticed a familiar dark-haired man that stoked the anger William believed had died years ago.
“Jacob,” he said simply and waited for his brother to turn around.
“William!” the younger man exclaimed, rushing forward to embrace him.
Taking a step back, William held out his palm, stopping his brother dead in his tracks. “What are you doing here?” he demanded.
“Now, now, William,” the duchess said, coming to stand between them. “Your brother has come home after four years. Surely that is something to celebrate?”
“Celebrate?” William repeated. “Why would I be happy about my betrayer’s return?”
“William,” his mother cried weakly. “Please.”
William shook his head. “I have taken care of his expenses for the last four years for your sake, Mother. However, I will not be forced to suffer this man’s presence. It’s either he goes, or I go.”
“Neither of us has to leave, Will,” Jacob insisted. “I’m not the man I used to be, and I know that this is four years too late, but I am terribly sorry for what I did to you. I was a selfish and jealous man back then, but I have had time to think about my actions and realise that I was never the brother you deserved.”
“That is putting it lightly,” William muttered.
Jacob hung his head in shame. “I do not blame you for not believing me. I committed a horrendous crime against you, and I deserve any punishment you wish to give me.”
“Your brother has changed, dear,” the duchess insisted. “Please, won’t you give him a chance to prove himself? I would like both my sons under one roof again.”
William’s jaw worked as he stared at the brother he had loved and given so much of his time. He still loved Jacob, but William wasn’t ready to forgive and forget.
“I need time to adjust to this,” he said, waving his hands in front of his brother. “I will not be joining you and Father for dinner, Mother. I have made other plans.”
That was a lie, but William was not going to spend an evening with his brother. He left the room without another word, seething under his calm exterior. Jacob was back, and with him had returned all the emotions that had kept William under a dark cloud of misery and anger.
Chapter 4
Agnes’ knees were turning a perpetual red from all the kneeling while praying. She spent at least one hour every day talking to her Creator about her need to find a wealthy man who didn’t mind her family’s lack of money or marrying a wife who was previously rejected.
Agnes’ nails were doing no better as she had bitten them until they lay just below their natural line. Rising from the floor stiffly, she leaned on her bed and placed her head on her forearms. Mrs Mellors had not returned from her trip to Cheltenham, which could be a good or bad thing. The matchmaker had either found so many eligible men
that she was narrowing the list, or no one was interested in Agnes, and the woman was still desperately searching. The last thought was enough to make her want to get under the covers and never emerge again, but life had to go on, and she still had her family by her side.
