The Redemption of Julian Price(24)

Julian cursed under his breath. “Damn it, Harry! This. Cannot. Wait.”

Harry’s gaze narrowed. “Why? If you have not debauched my sister, why such a rush?”

“Because if I don’t wed your sister, I will lose everything.”

“You are in need of money? Why the devil didn’t you just say so? I could make you a loan. There’s no need to marry my sister for her dowry.”

“There’s more to it than that. More than I care to discuss.”

“It’s that bad, Jules? You’re completely on the rocks?”

“Yes.” Julian exhaled with an impatient sigh. “I was preparing to return to Portugal when Henrietta arrived with this proposition.”

“I don’t understand,” Harry said. “Hen hasn’t any money.”

“It seems her circumstances have changed,” Julian said. “But I am not at liberty to say more. You must discuss it with her.” Julian glanced at the clock. “The hour grows late. I must see the bishop.”

Harry shook his head. “Marry in haste and regret at leisure, Jules. This cannot end well for either of you.”

Julian upturned his palms in a helpless gesture. “I know I am not worthy of her, and I never would have pursued her, but she came to me. I will do my best to make her happy, Harry. I mean that. I know you don’t like it, but given my circumstances, I am not in a position to look a gift horse in the mouth.”

“Horses! Bloody hell,” Harry groaned. “I came to town for a hunter. Now I see that I must go and talk some sense into my addlepated sister.”





CHAPTER SIX


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“MILADY HAS ASKED FOR YOU, MISS,” Clemmons informed Henrietta as she removed her hat and gloves, placing them on the beeswax-coated half-moon table that graced the foyer.

“Where is she, Clemmons?” Henrietta asked.

“She takes her tea in the morning room,” he replied.

“Thank you. I shall go to her at once.”

Henrietta’s slippered feet softly slapped the black-and-white marble tiles. She’d returned to Cheswick House strangely deflated. Although she’d achieved her goal, she felt little satisfaction and no joy. Julian had received her proposal with all the enthusiasm one might exhibit at the prospect of having a bad tooth drawn.

“Well, child?” Lady Cheswick inquired, patting the cushion by her side. “What has transpired?”

Henrietta perched on the settle with a sigh. “Julian and I are to be wed.”

“Indeed?” Lady Cheswick replied, brows drawn. “Is this not what you desired? You hardly look the part of the expectant bride.”

“It is what I wanted,” Henrietta replied. “Julian is the only man I ever desired, but now I perceive that this marriage is only going to make me miserable for the rest of my days.”

“My dear, why would you say such a thing?” Lady Cheswick asked.

“It’s not that I thought he would make any declarations of undying affection,” Henrietta continued. “But the whole business felt so very . . . cold.”

“You surely surprised the man. What did you expect?”

“I don’t know,” Henrietta replied. “It is the perfect solution for us both, but it just feels all wrong somehow.”

“It is not too late to beg off. He might not like it, but ’tis better than making a mistake you may live to regret.”

“I haven’t changed my mind,” Henrietta said. She’d vowed to make the very best of her marriage, whether he grew to love her or not. “I just wish I had thought it through a bit more.”

“There is something else disturbing you?” Lady Cheswick asked.

“Yes,” Henrietta confessed. “His mistress.”

“I see.” Lady Cheswick replied with a nod. “And you believe he intends to keep her? That’s what troubles you?”

“Yes!” Henrietta confessed. “We didn’t exactly discuss it, but we agreed that we would each continue as best suits us. Julian does not wish to give up a house in town, so I can only assume she is the reason.”

“Then you must speak to him.”

“No, I will not. I swore I would not attach any strings to the money. If I did, he would only grow to resent me. I give it to him freely. If he breaks it off with her, that must also be done freely.”

“I regret adding to your distress, my dear, but that is highly unlikely to occur. Mistresses are an avaricious lot. If she learns of Julian’s new wealth, she is likely to cling to him all the tighter. Your only hope is that she knows of his present predicament and is already in search of another protector. Should she find one, your dilemma is no more.”

“Is that truly the way of it?” Henrietta asked slowly, shaking her head. “I can’t comprehend how a woman can allow herself to be passed from one man to the next, living solely on another’s whim.”

“Nevertheless, a mistress is more independent than a wife,” Lady Cheswick said. “A mistress may sever a relationship with her protector at any time for any reason. But a wife becomes her husband’s possession until death they do part.”

“That’s so unfair!” Henrietta declared.