His lips tightened. “And what does the marchioness intend to tell her friends and neighbors when she returns with the news that we have married?”
Julianna had wondered the same herself. She thought of her last, uncomfortable interview with Mama. Naturally, she had not been present today to see Emily and Julianna off; Julianna supposed she could not complain. She had told her mother not to attend the wedding, after all.
However, knowing her mother had chosen not to put up a fight did nothing to soothe the hurt.
“I do not know what she shall tell society there,” she said softly. “I expect a report of our marriage will be printed in the papers. However, whether or not anyone believes we were secretly married and divorced in America, and that Emily was born legitimately, I cannot say.”
She would face that maelstrom when the time inevitably came.
“People often believe what they are told,” Shelbourne returned. “It is far easier than having to think for themselves. How do you think gossip is spread?”
“It is gossip that I fear.” She plucked at the silk of her skirt nervously. An old habit she had never been able to squelch, much like biting her lip. “All it will require is one naysayer to look into the past and discover you had never been to New York City, and this tower of lies you have so cleverly crafted will fall.”
“I was in New York City, Julianna.”
He could not have shocked her more had he announced he was planning a sojourn to the bottom of the sea. All this time, he had refused to acknowledge he had been there whenever she had asked. She had assumed it was because he had never been there at all.
“Why?” she asked.
Hope was a stupid beast. And so was she.
“Why not?” He eyed her sullenly, refusing to give her anything.
Not one detail.
“When?”
“Does it matter?”
“Yes,” she bit out, feeling desperate without fully comprehending why. “When?”
“The timing suits the lie,” he said curtly, before rising to his full, towering height. “That is all you need concern yourself with.”
But he was wrong, was he not? Because if he had gone to New York City before she had given birth to Emily, and if he had come after her…
Foolish, foolish thoughts. She banished them.
She rose from her chair so he was not looming over her like some sort of mythical god. “Thank you, Shelbourne.”
He gave her a look she could not discern. “It is not your gratitude I want, Julianna.”
She swallowed.Oh.
He meant…
“Shelbourne,” she began, thinking she must not fall into bed with him. Her heart was still sore from the last time.
A bitter laugh escaped him. “Not tonight. You needn’t look so horrified. For this evening, all you need to do is accustom yourself to your new home. I will see a tray sent to you. You really ought to eat something.”
She could not tell if he was concerned about her or if he was merely being a despot. “That is not necessary, my lord. As I said, I am not hungry.”
Her stomach rumbled loudly enough for the sound to carry, making a lie of her claims. Her cheeks went hot.
He raised a brow. “The tray will be sent. Until tomorrow, Julianna.”
With a bow, he was gone.
She watched him leave, torn between hating him and loving him. Had she ever stopped? Some ten minutes later, a tray laden with pétits-fours, hot tea, and fresh blackberries. All her favorite treats.
