Page 61 of The Duke's Indecent Match
“Can we really?”Julianna asked, her eyes wide with shock and burgeoning hope.Emma was surprised as well, but Julianna was older and had a better understanding of what such things cost.
“We can.”Nathanial found it easier to smile now, relaxing slightly.
It was good to remember that there was a silver lining to this entire situation.He’d achieved the goal of providing for his family.He’d always known that he would need to marry in order to do so; he’d accepted that.
It was just the manner in which it happened.
Giving himself a little shake, Nathanial pushed away the lingering resentment.For now.
The men were returning from having delivered the trunks inside.Between them, they’d handled all the duchess’ things except one medium-sized trunk that Nathanial could assist Daniel with.Drawing out the pouch of coins Mr.Little had given him before they left, to assist with any immediate expenses, Nathanial gave each of the gentlemen a show of his gratitude.
It felt incredible to be able to do so without worrying that he was robbing his own people of what they needed.
Daniel’s eyes lit up when he realized what Nathanial was doing, sheer relief and appreciation showing on his face.
“Here, let me help,” Nathanial said, stepping forward as Daniel bent to lift the trunk.
“I have it, Your Grace.I’m feeling strong as an ox right now.”Daniel twisted as he hefted the trunk, smiling broadly.Apparently, the appearance of money was lifting all of their spirits to an untold degree.
Fiona skipped ahead of Daniel, Emma following quickly behind her to ensure she did not get into trouble.Julianna hung back, her hazel eyes filled with suspicion.
“Whatreallyhappened?”she asked again, giving him a look promising retribution if he was not honest with her.“You are not as happy as you should be, considering the bounty you’ve described.Is she a shrew?And why were we not invited to the wedding?Are you ashamed of her?Is her family in business?Not that it would matter tomeif they were…” Her voice trailed off, as if questioning whether it mattered to him.
“Her father is the third son of the Marquess of Stilton,” Nathanial said.“Though he is estranged from his family.Which is a large part of why she was looking to marry a duke.The Marquess did not approve of her father’s marriage and has cut them from the will.”
“She’s a title hunter.”Julianna looked at him curiously, raising one brow.“You are no hypocrite.”
After all, he had been a fortune hunter.
Nathanial took a deep breath.
“She and her father arranged a scene at the house party by which I was forced to offer for her hand.Having done that, I decided to marry her with all due haste to hopefully stem some of the gossip and not further tarnish the family’s reputation.”
Julianna’s eyes widened in understanding, then immediate indignation.
“Well, that is just indecent!”
Temper flared in her eyes, and Nathanial reached out to grab her hand before she could go storming into the house and up to his new wife’s room to take her to task.
“It’s done,” he said firmly.“Her father’s wealth is spectacular, and her dowry shows it.We have enough money to pay off the remaining debts, restore the estate, invest in what we need to thrive going forward, and send you off in style next year with plenty left over for Emma and Fiona to have respectable dowries.”
“Really?”His sister’s jaw dropped open.Her gaze slid to the house.“She’s worth all that?”
“Her marriage to a duke is.”He smiled thinly.“At least, to her and her father.”
Staring at the house for a long moment, obviously thinking, Julianna frowned.“What about her mother?”
“From what I could tell, her mother was not part of the plot.”
“Strange.I always thought it was the matchmaking mamas you would have to be wary of,” she said dryly.After another short silence, she gave herself a little shake.“So, then.I suppose we will have to make the best of it.If she’s awful, at least she came with the funds to balance that.”
“Well… she’s not entirely awful,” Nathanial said, finding himself in the reluctant position of having to defend her.
“Awful enough that she had to trap a duke into marriage in order to get one.”
When Nathanial did not immediately agree with her statement, Julianna turned back to him, frowning.
“What?What are you not telling me?”
