Page 55 of My Beastly Duke
“Well, I guess there is no use in carrying on with tea and sandwiches at home; it is just the five of us.” Lady Wallace said with a sigh. She had barely shed a tear during the service, and Aaron had not blamed her. The way that the baron had treated them, he was lucky that the five of them had even shown up.
“Did you hear from the family solicitor?” Aaron attempted to engage Marina but found his question being answered by her mother.
“We did,” Lady Wallace perked up considerably. “Not to be disrespectful to the dead, but things are looking much brighter than they were before. Cousin Alfred has already written to inform us of his intentions. Prudence and I are to be looked after until she marries, and even then, I will have a place for life.”
Prudence blushed slightly and almost hid behind her older sister as she glanced at Adam.
“That is good news, Lady Wallace, will you be moving back into the family home? You are of course welcome to keep the house that I gifted, it is yours and Prudence’s for life.” He added quickly, not wanting to seem as if he were kicking them out.
“I would like to keep the house.” Marina’s head shot up, meeting Aaron’s gaze for the very first time. The hurt that he saw in her eyes tore at his chest.
Allowing his gaze to linger on hers for a moment, Aaron continued. “Of course, you are welcome to keep the house, although I would like it if you would come back home.” He spoke boldly, not caring that the others were there.
A flash of confusion passed over her eyes as Marina’s brow furrowed. “I think I would like to stay here in London, even if my mother and sister move back to our family home.”
The silence that filled the air between them was almost palpable, making Aaron wish he could take her in his arms.
Breaking the uncomfortable silence, Lady Wallace spoke up. “I am sure that there will be plenty of time for all of those arrangements. Shall we all go back to the house for some refreshments?”
Marina tore her eyes away from his face and looked down the street, placing her arm protectively around her sister’s shoulders as if she were a shield between them.
“If you do not mind us taking over your plans, Lady Wallace, Aaron, and I have arranged a little surprise for you all back on the estate. We did anticipate a rather small turnout today and thought you would not mind.” Adam spoke up when the awkward moment between Aaron and Marina continued.
She hates me.
Aaron swallowed hard, refusing to look away from his wife. He needed to show her how wrong he had been in sending her away, even if it meant that he would have to force her to look at him.
Brightening up considerably, Prudence let go of Marina’s arm and rushed to her mother’s side. “Oh, can we please, Mama?! I would love to have tea with Mr. Marner… I mean the duke and Mr. Marner.” She corrected herself quickly, blushing furiously.
“I do not know, dearest. Your sister might be very tired after such a long morning…” Lady Wallace bit the inside of her cheek and looked at Marina for an answer.
The hesitation in her gaze was almost painful as she looked at her younger sister. “I guess it would be all right, but not for the entire afternoon.”
A small sense of triumph flooded his chest as hope sprang up. She may have been hesitant, but at least she had not said no.
“Great, shall we split up then? I could join Lady Wallace and Prudence in their carriage while Marina rides with you.” Adam clapped his hands together triumphantly.
“No,” Marina spoke up quickly, cutting off her sister’s squeal of delight. “I think it is best if I stay with Prudence and my mother. The men can ride in one carriage, and the ladies in another.” She hurriedly explained when everyone gave her a strange look.
“If you are sure,” Adam added unsurely, looking at Aaron.
Swallowing his pride, Aaron forced a smile. “Whatever makes the ladies comfortable, we will follow behind on our carriage.”
Lady Wallace curtsied and pulled their youngest daughter toward their carriage.
“But, Mama, I wanted to travel with Mr. Marner,” Prudence whined.
“Hush now, you are far too eager for a young lady who is not even out.” Lady Wallace bustled her into the carriage, leaving Aaron and Marina alone with Adam.
“I will wait for you in the carriage.” Adam quickly excused himself and hurried off before Marina could protest.
“I had better….” Marina tried to escape but found herself being held back by Aaron as he gripped her hand. Looking at their hands, she took a deep breath.
“Marina, I know that you do not want to talk to me right now, but please give me a chance to explain. There is so much that I need to say to you.” He willed her to look up at him, feeling his heart break when tears formed in her eyes.
Letting out a shaky breath, Marina composed herself. “I do not wish to keep my mother and sister waiting, Your Grace. There is nothing left for us to discuss. I am keeping my end of the bargain; I suggest that you do yours.” She pulled her hand away from his and headed toward the carriage without looking back.
Watching her leave, Aaron remained rooted to the spot, wondering if he had gone too far at the ball. The woman he had married refused to even look at him.