“You’re a duke?” she asked, confused as though she’d just realized it. “Like my guardian?”
He nodded, unsure of what else to say.
“You gave Kerr as your surname. And you’ve told my aunts and my guardian. They may feel deceived…” Serafina’s words died out as she seemed to process her family’s possible reaction to his title. “Actually, Julian. I’m not sure what their reaction will be.”
“All I’m concerned with isyourreaction. While I kept my name a secret, I promise you, my feelings for you…our time together…has been true. When we visited the Crescent, we passed my family’s townhouse, and on impulse, I thought I’d show it to you and tell you then. But you said Willow needed to rest, and I understood. I didn’t want to press or explain anything—thinking I’d find another time to tell you. And now, here we are,” he said.“I realize now that I should have pressed then and told you.”
She regarded him and gave a tremulous smile. “It seems we were both keeping secrets. Sometimes secrets are bigger than the truth they hide.”
“A difficult business to be sure,” he said, suddenly full of relief. “Your uncle knows. He recognized me…I mean, my resemblance to my brother, Wes. They were friends at school, but he said he would let me reveal my identity in my own time. Your Aunt Sophy suspects something, I think.”
“Aunt Sophy is smart, but she stays here in Bath practically all the time. Why would you think that?” she asked.
“Darling, Society in England is not that vast. And over the years, perhaps Sophy may have met my parents. I’m not sure she does recognize me, but it was the way her eyes glittered when I, without thinking, told her I was from Aberdeen. It’s wheremy mother’s family hails. My estate, Strathmoor Castle, is just outside Preston, Lancashire, very close to Scotland,” he said, laughing. “I’m no better at this deception game than your Aunt Rosalind.”
“Ah. That would account for that Scottish brogue of yours. And you’re probably right about Aunt Sophy,” she said with a smile. “I never meant to deceive you, either…about Edward. It’s been a secret I’ve kept for these last two years because the family did not want my reputation in tatters. And Aunt Rosalind meant no harm in blurting the truth. She rambles sometimes and doesn’t think about what she’s saying until it’sout the door, as Aunt Dora tells her.”
They both laughed.
“You said you came to grieve,” she said, studying him with dark, curious eyes. “Have you been able to sort through those feelings?”
“I have. Serafina, you and I…we met in a most unlikely manner. I had no idea that I would meet someone who would make me change what I wanted for my future.”
“Your…your future?” she asked breathlessly.
“Yes… But I should say, our future,” he said, kissing her again.
Someone coughed, then cleared their throat as they strode loudly down the hall towards the parlor, where the two of them were kissing. Both froze, and Julian stepped back. “Your Grace, he said, as Serafina’s Aunt Rosalind stuck her head into the room.
“My dears…we hadn’t heard a peep, so I decided to check on both of you…to make sure I hadn’t made a total muck of your friendship. I am truly sorry,” Aunt Rosalind said. “Mr. Kerr, this arrived for you about twenty minutes ago. We didn’t want to disturb you, but I was afraid to hold onto it much longer, in case it was urgent.” She handed him a sealed missive.
“Serafina, your uncle just arrived. Mr. Kerr, the duke asked to speak with all of us…once the two of you had discussed the…er…I think I called it a botched elopement. I’m truly sorry about that,” her aunt said, looking from one to the other.
“It’s all right,” Serafina said, rushing to her aunt and wrapping her arms around her in a warm hug. “Everything is all right. Julian and I spoke. And everything is fine.”
“I do have something to share with everyone as well,” Julian said, knowing he needed to apologize to the duchesses for deceiving them.
They walked back down to the drawing room and found the other three Golden Duchesses, the Duke of Richmond, and another man waiting for them.
“Kerr, allow me to introduce my good friend Damon, the Duke of Danforth. We have important news and thought it would be best that I share it with all of you at the same time—in case there are questions.”
Julian nodded and shook hands with Danforth. “Before you share your news, will you allow me a moment to clear up a misunderstanding…of some import?” Julian asked.
“Certainly,” Richmond said. Danforth nodded.
Julian turned to the duchesses and began to speak. “While you have all come to know me as Julian Kerr, the artist. I must enlighten you that while I am an artist and my first name is Julian, my last name is McAllister. And my title is Duke of Strathmoor. My mother’s family name is Kerr, and they are from Aberdeen. My father was English.”
“But you sound so Scottish, and you live in a castle,” Aunt Rosalind blurted.
“Yes. Strathmoor Castle used to be called Strathmoor Abbey. My father changed it when my mother suggested it looked so much like the castles she was used to in Scotland. And I’m afraid a variety of nannies and then governesses gave my brother andme the ability to speak with both the Scottish accent and the British accent. I came from my estate in Preston, Lancashire, to Bath, to take some time to grieve the loss of my late brother Wes, my mother, and my father over the last two years. Somehow, I thought disguising my identity was a good idea,” Julian said. “I suppose I hadn’t intended to get to meet and know such wonderful people. But I must beg your forgiveness for the deception.”
“Strathmoor—you’ll have no judgment from me,” Richmond said.
“Me either,” Danforth said. “Your brother was among the best of men. Of course…as you look just like him…and sound exactly like him…I recognized you immediately.”
“Aha! I knew you looked familiar,” Aunt Sophy said. “I met your parents many years ago in London during the Season. And I thought they were the most beautiful couple. I’m certain I speak for all of us when I say that we are so very sorry for your loss. I should have seen the resemblance as well, because you are the picture of your late father, but your eyes are entirely your mother’s. I am glad that you told us. Because, quite frankly, I was going to just ask you.”
Laughter echoed around the room.
