Page 98 of A Marquess' Season of Secrets
Juliana turned in her chair to face the duke. His eyes were shining, and he was grinning from ear to ear.
“Speak plainly, Your Grace. Tell me what it is that you are saying.”
The duke surprised her by taking her hands and holding them captive between his own.
“I do not know if I have a chance with you, Miss Hathaway, but I wish to tell you that the months you spent in my home have been the most wonderful in over ten years. I fell in love with you when I didn’t even know your real name, and I berated myself for having affections for a servant.
I do not think I could have ever married anyone as long as you were with me, even if I never got to reveal my love for you. Frankly, I am miserable without the woman I came to cherish, and I wanted to know if I have a chance with you. I have come with intentions of marriage and taking you home with me.”
Juliana nibbled her lower lip, trying hard not to burst out crying and fly into his arms. This was what she had wanted to hear for so long and never thought possible. It was almost too good to be true.
“Isabella and Juliana are the same person,” she assured him. “And they both love you very much.”
The duke sucked in his breath. “I would like to hear it from them, please.”
Juliana grinned, lowering her eyes. “Do I really have to say it?”
The duke touched her chin, lifting it up. “It would bring me so much joy to know that you love me as much as I love you.”
Juliana nodded, her hand circling the one holding her chin. “I do love you, Your Grace, more than I can ever express. There is nothing I would like better than to go home with you. Well, provided that we get married first.”
The duke closed his eyes and held her hands to his lips. “Thank you, thank you.”
“No, thank you. You have done so much for me, and it would be a privilege serving you with my love for the rest of our lives.”
Juliana meant every word as she stared into his eyes, seeing her wonderful future reflected in his eyes. She couldn’t have been any happier than she was right at that moment.
Epilogue
In just under an hour, Juliana would become a married woman. Not just any married woman, but a duchess. The title did not excite her as it did others; she was simply relieved to be marrying the man she loved. Nash was somewhere downstairs waiting for her to come down and pledge her life to him.
He had spoken about nothing else for weeks and had sent her countless letters expressing his joy, excitement, and love for her. Juliana’s letters had been just as affectionate, if not more elaborate, amusing her lady’s maid. Kersey had laughed at the entire back and forth of letters and had praised Nash’s devotion to her.
Who would have thought running away from home would put me into the arms of such an amazing man?
A soft knock on her door drew her away from admiring her attire in the mirror. Juliana assumed it was Kersey come to call her.
“Come in!” she called out to the maid.
However, instead of Kersey, it was Eleanor. “May I come in?” she asked.
Juliana’s relationship with her soon-to-be sister-in-law was still a little shaky. There were so many things between them that had yet to be addressed, but they had managed to be polite and civil towards each other for Nash’s sake.
“Of course,” Juliana replied, wondering what the woman had to say.
Eleanor perched on the corner of the bed and folded her hands in her lap. “I suppose you’re wondering why I have come here.”
“The thought did cross my mind,” Juliana admitted.
“Well, I realised that I could not let you become part of this family without saying a few necessary words to you first.”
Oh, here we go again. I hope she is not returning to her old self. I have had enough of that, Eleanor.
“What would you like to tell me?” Juliana asked.
“Firstly, you should call me Ellie. We will become sisters in a little while.”
Surprised, Juliana just nodded her approval. She hadn’t expected the woman to be so welcoming, and that brought about some suspicion.
