She shook her head, feeling sick.“I want a family.I want a home.”
But the cruelest blow was yet to come.“Then I suggest you bring Brantingham up to scratch.”
How dare he bring that honorable gentleman into their row!“If this is how society treats women—as if they’re disposable—I want no part of it.The Duchess was right to have shunned you, and you should expect the rest of the Charltons to do the same.”
“A small price to pay for a lifetime of peace,” was all he cared to reply.He was so cold, so businesslike, and so very different from the Duke, who cared very deeply and strived to behave honorably in all aspects of his life.
The Duke of Brantingham would never abandon anyone in need.
Aurelia leveled her gaze on the man who’d sired her and laid her proverbial cards onto the table.She took a gamble by asking what she’d already suspected, “Why did you write the Christmas cards, send the birthday gifts?Why did you lead me to believe that I was promised to the Duke?”
“Ah, you are a clever child.His Grace and I share a solicitor, so it wasn’t difficult to get a copy of his signature and handwriting, which is easily forged.The betrothal ring belonged to your mother, and it only seemed fair that you should have it.The silver charm, however, was a cheap trinket from a Fleet Street pawnbrokers, unable to be traced back to me.
“The Duchess—God rest her—was a bosom friend of your mother.She would not have turned you out had you turned up on her doorstep.She might’ve even seen the resemblance and taken pity on you.I never believed cancer would claim the Duchess so quickly when I crafted my scheme for your future.I’m sorry, Aurelia, I ought to have planned for that.”
Revulsion wracked her.She nearly doubled over with the pain and felt as if the room were spinning out of her control.“You would’ve known that the Duchess would never have married me to her son, even if she knew my identity.As Aurelia Goldsworthy, my lack of parentage is impossible to overcome.Society wouldn’t countenance such a match between an illegitimate orphan girl and a great, powerful duke.You set me up for heartache and humiliation.You showed me everything I ever wanted, and then you snatched it away.”
Lord Mathieson shook his head.“I underestimated you, Aurelia.I never dreamed that you would travel to town and take up your false position, or that you would eventually be seen on Brantingham’s arm.Imagine my surprise at how far you’ve come!”
He had meddled in her life, but no longer.Everything she did from this moment on would be of her own strength, her character, her ingenuity.She would donate her fine clothes to needy families.She would leave her comfortable suite of rooms overlooking the Parade in Cheltenham and find employment somewhere where no one would know of her secret.“I intend to give my legacy to women and children who deserve it.”
Lord Mathieson was unfazed.“The money is yours to do with as you please.I mean you no ill will.Now, if there is nothing more to be said, I consider our business concluded.You’ll never again be allowed entrance into this house, and I shall turn my back to you if ever our paths cross.”His hard, narrow-eyed gaze scoured her once more, leaving her raw and flayed in its wake.“For what it’s worth, I do wish you well, Aurelia.It is clear that you are your mother’s child, and your path in life shan’t be easy.”
She could not recall speaking a word to him in parting.She did not remember leaving the drawing room or descending the stairs.She didn’t see the footman’s face as he held the front door open for her.
Aurelia saw only the Duke of Brantingham seated in his landau.His presence was strong, and steady, and self-controlled.She must’ve called his name—Selwyn!—for he turned to her, seeming to understand her defeat even though she emerged from the house unscathed.
He opened his arms to her, and she buried herself into his embrace.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
She was devastated and crying in his arms.Through her tears, she poured forth the details of her confrontation with the man who was certainly her father.Mathieson had also been her puppet master, directing her to Brantingham House in a bizarre scheme that smacked of equal parts guilt over Miss Goldsworthy’s abandonment and revenge against the Charltons, whose matriarch had been such a staunch defender of Lady Mathieson’s innocence.
For two decades, Mama had spoken out against the man who had wronged her friend, and had gone to her grave knowing the truth, even if it hadn’t yet been revealed.
Selwyn did not believe in Christmas miracles, but the story had come full circle.With Lord Mathieson’s help, the Duchess of Brantingham and Aurelia’s mother had been reunited.Their love lived on through their children, together.
He hugged Miss Goldsworthy tighter.He buried his face in her coppery hair, which smelled sweet, clean, and softly perfumed.How he admired her ability to hold her head up!To keep her dignity!To persevere!
She had taken quite a pummeling inside Mathieson House, but she would soon draw from that inner well of strength and self-worth and rise above this blow.What did it matter if she was the illegitimate daughter of a peeress?Worse sins had been committed in society.
By her side, Selwyn had the power to survive the scandal.Miss Goldsworthy was a duchess down to her boots, and he’d be a fool to let her slip through his fingers.Yet it would not be an easy road, and after today, she might not wish to walk it with him.
“I don’t belong anywhere,” she cried.“No one wants me!I’m such a fool!”
He rocked her in his arms as the landau navigated the congested confines of Mayfair.He kept the window shades down for her privacy, but the steadyclip-clopof the horses’ hooves announced their progress through the streets.
“Shh…”he soothed her.“You are wanted, you are needed, and you are always welcome at Brantingham House.”She was a much-loved member of his family, and his siblings would never forgive him if he gave her up.
She was the one woman whose presence he sought out in a drawing room or whose hand he groped for on a crowded pavement.She was a delight at mealtimes and a ready accomplice for an adventure.He had missed feeling alive since his parents’ deaths, and Miss Goldsworthy brought radiance and energy into his narrow world of nobility.
To him, at least, she was joy, laughter, and vitality.Selwyn hated to see her brought low.
She pulled back from his embrace to meet his gaze.Hot tears dampened her cheeks, and her nose had grown red and irritated.She sniffled, and he offered her his handkerchief.
“Dry your eyes, Aurelia.I’d say you’ve given Mathieson enough tears, don’t you?”
A sad smile wavered at her lips.“I confess that some stupid part of me hoped that you’d got the story wrong, and that he wanted me and would take me in.That I would have a family, that I would finally find the place where I belonged.”
