Page 96 of A Marquess' Season of Secrets
Nash recalled the drama that Ellie spoke of. Magnus, always a proud man, had fallen in love with his sister’s lady’s maid and gave up everything to be with her, only to find out she was betrothed to another. The poor man had never been the same since. Sighing, he fell back into his chair.
“I understand, Ellie. I do not like what you did, but I understand.”
Quick tears filled his sister’s eyes. “You do?”
“Yes. You did many foolish things, but you did it out of love. I just wish you would speak to me about these thoughts in your head before you do things to hurt us.”
“Oh, Nash,” Ellie cried, sitting at his feet and laying her head against his legs. “I am so sorry for everything. I was wrong to treat Juliana so abominably, and now you are unhappy because of me.”
Nash patted her head. “You cannot take credit for everything, dear sister. I suppose I had a role to play in all this as well. I hear you are ignoring David?”
“I’m too ashamed to see him,” Ellie admitted. “I’m afraid that once he hears about what I have done, he will cease to love me. It’s easier to ignore him than to face my faults.”
“David loves you warts and all, Ellie,” Nash said. “Do you not think he is aware of them? Yet, he continues to try. A lesser man would have given up and moved on to the next woman. Think how painful it must be for him to love a woman and not be able to marry her?”
“I have been such a fool, Nash,” Ellie said, weeping into his breeches. “I had best send him a letter and ask him to call on me tomorrow. I also wish to have the wedding as soon as possible, but what will you do? Will you be just like David and go after Juliana until she marries you?”
Nash was not like David, who so quickly laid his pride aside for the woman he loved. Nash was aware of how the other men ridiculed him, but David refused to be deterred from gaining Ellie’s hand.
How can I claim to love Isabella but not love Juliana? I have not even tried to find out if there is any future for us. I simply gave up. What kind of love is that? The very thing I admire in David is the quality missing in me: perseverance.
“I think I have made a grave mistake,” he said, gently moving his sister to the side and getting up.
“You’re going to go after her, yes?” Ellie asked. “I wish you to know that I have no objections to making her your bride. Whoever makes you happy is good enough for me.”
“I’m glad you see it that way because I intend to do all I can to get back the woman I love. Excuse me, Ellie, I need to speak to Johnson. I have a trip to take.”
Excited about his decision, Nash hurried to his room, calling for Johnson. The valet needed to pack his bags and get the carriage ready for an immediate journey, and hopefully, Nash would not come back empty-handed.
***
Juliana spent her first two days at home in bed, unwilling to leave her room. So much had happened that she felt exhausted and unable to face anything or anyone. Everyone had been so happy to see her again, and her parents had cried for all the trouble they had caused her.
Juliana was just glad she would never have to deal with Lord Somersby again. The man had mysteriously disappeared, and no one knew where he was, but Juliana didn’t care.
Kersey had threatened to send her cousins after the man and give him a good beating for putting Juliana through such a terrible ordeal, but the maid had been persuaded otherwise.
There was no point in going after a man who had lost and was disliked by one of the most powerful dukes in England. It was rather funny that Juliana had not known who the Duke of Kensington really was while she lived under his roof. She had known that people respected him, but not how far his influence and wealth stretched.
“Your hot chocolate will grow cold, dear,” her mother said, bringing her back to the present.
Juliana blinked repeatedly and looked down at her breakfast. She had become so accustomed to leftovers from the duke and his sister that this seemed rather extravagant. Even the hot chocolate seemed too much for her.
“I do not think I can stomach it, Mama,” she said. “May I have some tea and just a slice of toast?”
“Of course, dear!” the viscountess exclaimed. “You do not need to ask for anything. You are the daughter of this house.” The woman stretched for Juliana’s hands, looking at the calluses from her many months of work. “I cannot believe you worked as a servant for so many months, my dear. It breaks my heart.”
“We should be punished for putting you in such a position,” the viscount added. “What kind of father am I? I could not even protect my only daughter due to my greed!”
“Do not fret, Mama, Papa,” Juliana urged, squeezing her mother’s hand. “I was treated well when I was under the duke’s roof. I never wanted for anything, and I learned many valuable skills and lessons. It was not all as bad as you think it was.”
“But to be a servant, dear!” her mother insisted. “And to lose your memory after a nasty bump? We can only blame ourselves.”
Tears welled up in the viscountess’ eyes for the hundredth time since Juliana returned home.
“Do not cry, Mama. I am here at home, am I not? And I am safe. Not a hair on my head was harmed.”
“We have the duke to thank for that,” her father remarked. “I do not know how we will ever repay that man. Not only did he look after our daughter, but he paid all our debts in full. We no longer have any money woes, and we will never force you to marry anyone ever again. You are free to choose your own husband.”
