Page 57 of My Beastly Duke
What does all of this mean?
Marina’s heart swelled with confusion as she struggled to understand what the gesture meant. Deep in her heart, she knew why Aaron had done, it. She had told him she wanted it very soon after they had met. Yet he had pushed her away, sent her to live with her mother and sister.
Marina’s mother thanked the maid and took her tea, looking increasingly delighted. “Come now, Your Grace, you must tell us what this place is and why you built it. It is simply marvelous!”
Looking up, Marina met his gaze, her heart pounding as she waited for the answer.
“It is a menagerie, Lady Wallace. I built it for Marina. She told me that she wanted one for all of her pets.” He held her gaze as the corner of his mouth tugged into a smile.
Gasps of surprise and shock filled the air and even Isolde paused at the news, looking at Marina for her reaction.
“That is quite a grand gesture.” Lady Wallace exclaimed and placed her cup on the table.
“Have you ever heard of anything as romantic as that?” Prudence practically melted in her chair as she gave Adam a dreamy look, sighing heavily as she leaned her chin on her hand.
Everything seemed to happen all at once as Marina struggled to catch her breath.
“It is a grand gesture, a very grand one indeed. True love will always prevail.” Isolde said tearfully, looking from Prudence to Adam before placing the pot back on the table and turning to leave.
Everyone frowned as Adam jumped to his feet, spilling everyone’s tea over the rim of their cups as he bumped the table. Jumping forward, he gripped Isolde’s hand and held her back.
“Isolde wait! This can’t go on for any longer!” Adam yelled, pulling her closer.
Marina looked around the table in confusion, noting the frown on Aaron’s face.
“What is going on here?” Aaron asked.
Swallowing hard before tearing his eyes away from her maid, Adam turned to his brother. “There is something that I need to tell you, something that I have been keeping a secret for far too long.”
“Adam don’t… you can’t give everything up for me,” Isolde whispered tearfully.
“Adam? She is addressing him by name?” Prudence looked at her mother in confusion.
Sensing that something was about to happen, their mother silenced her and reached for her youngest daughter’s hand.
Adam glanced back at Isolde and pulled her to his side before turning back to Aaron. “No, I can’t hide it any longer. I do not care who knows. I have been in love with this woman for a very long time.”
“But she is a maid!” Prudence jumped to her feet, rushing from the table as she began to sob.
“I will go after her.” Lady Wallace stood, gesturing for Marina to stay.
Sitting back in utter exasperation, Marina looked at Isolde who seemed to be pleading with her to understand. The girl’s eyes were filled with tears, while her lips trembled.
“Go on,” Aaron said calmly, taking Marina off guard.
Clearing his throat, Adam continued. “The reason that I could not marry Marina is because I have been in love with Isolde. I thought if I married someone else, I could move in with my life, but I soon heard that Isolde would become her maid, I could not bear the thought of seeing her tend to my wife every day when she was the one who truly held my heart. And when Marina invited me to stay, I realized that I would never be able to love another woman for as long as I live.” He turned to Isolde now, taking both of her hands in his.
“Adam, I can’t accept this. You will be a social pariah and lose everything if we are together!” More tears streamed down her cheeks as Isolde’s voice trembled. “You would be a fool to want me. I am not worthy of you, Adam, I am just a maid…”
“Then I will be a fool for the rest of my life, as long as you are by my side.” He brushed her cheek with the back of her knuckles before leaning in for a gentle kiss.
Isolde sighed softly before wrapping her arms around his neck and leaning into the embrace.
Aaron seemed to give them a moment, before clearing his throat. “Is that what you truly want?” he looked at Adam when he finally broke away from the kiss.
Giving Isolde a loving look, he pulled her close to his side with his arm around her waist. “It is, I do not care if you cast me off. I want to marry Isolde.”
Nodding in understanding, Aaron stood. “Then you have my blessing. I do not know why you thought that I would not understand when I have been a social pariah for the past decade. You may marry whomever you choose, and I will not be casting you off.”