Dreadful toad of a man.
“I have pressed you too far, have I not?” Tilly asked into the silence, making Julianna realize she had once more been too lost in her own thoughts.
She blamed Shelbourne.
Last night had been…good heavens. Words failed her. She had fallen asleep in his bed, then woke in the darkest depths of the night confused and disoriented. He had kissed her sweetly, half asleep himself.
Stay with me, my sweet tempest.
She swallowed, wishing her tea were laced with something stronger. Brandy, perhaps. “You have done nothing of the sort, Tilly. You forget I have been abroad these past two years. Candor and bluntness are embraced in America. Forgive me for my distraction, however. Marrying Shelbourne has brought a great deal of change and upheaval for me.”
“I expect so.” Tilly sipped her tea, then sent Julianna a small smile. There was such sadness in her eyes—unrivaled. “Marriage is a terribly complicated business. At least Shelbourne does not strike me as a man who is cruel.”
He could be cruel, but in his own way. Cutting words, scathing remarks, biting looks. He resented her, however, and she well understood his anger after seeing how much he cared for Emily. She had denied him much.
“Shelbourne is a difficult man,” she said slowly, struggling through her own emotions where he was concerned, as always. “But not cruel in the sense he would ever do me violence. Has His Grace…hurt you, Tilly?”
“He has.” Tilly’s countenance had gone pale, a tremor in her voice. “There are things which we are told never to speak of as wives, of course.”
A pang went through Julianna at her newfound friend’s revelation. “To the devil with the things we are taught not to discuss. Soon we shall all have an equal voice in our representation when we have the vote. What has he done?”
Tilly’s smile was tremulous. “Enough. More than enough. However, I have done my duty by him now, and he has agreed to leave me alone since I have at last provided him with an heir. The trouble is, I did not realize what he meant when he promised I would be alone, or the lengths he would go to…” She shook herself, as if she needed the physical reminder to stop herself from revealing too much. “But never mind that. I have come to visit you and get to know you better, not to unpack all my sadness upon you.”
Julianna wanted to know more about how the Duke of Longleigh had hurt her friend, and how she was certain she was safe from his abuse now. Bitter outrage filled her on Tilly’s behalf. How terrible a plight, to be caught under the dominion of such an insidious man.
“Has Longleigh beat you?” she asked bluntly.
“This tea is quite excellent,” the duchess said, taking a delicate sip from her cup as if Julianna had never issued the question at all.
Apparently, she did not wish to discuss the subject further. But Julianna could not leave matters as they were. Her conscience would not allow it.
“Tilly, are you safe?”
Her friend raised a golden brow, replacing her cup in its saucer. “I am safer than I have ever been for the moment. Longleigh is on familiar shores for you, having departed to take part in The America Cup with his yacht. He is in Philadelphia at the moment, I believe, where the race has been postponed thanks to a lack of wind. If Longleigh were to offer an oratory, I am certain the requisite amount of wind would appear, and the contest could continue.”
The revelation of Longleigh’s distance—an ocean away—gave Julianna a measure of temporary relief. However, she was still determined to do everything in her power to make certain her friend was protected.
“What of when he returns?” she pressed, concerned.
“I can only hope he will not.”
The edge in Tilly’s voice took Julianna by surprise. She was being sincere.
“Has he suggested he will remain abroad indefinitely?”
“Oh, sweet Julianna.” Tilly’s smile was as sad as her eyes. “Your heart is far too good. I am hoping his yacht shall sink to the bottom of whatever bay it is inhabiting and take him with it.”
Julianna sipped her tea. “Ah. I begin to understand. Promise me, Tilly, if you have cause to fear, that you will seek me out. Our doors shall always be open to you.”
The duchess nodded. “Thank you, my friend.”
* * *
Fencingwith Northwich was supposed to have cleared Sidney’s damned head. Or at least to have provided him with some distraction amidst the crushing realization he was still very much in love with Julianna.
Instead, it had only left him more muddled. The bout had ended without Sidney earning a bloody point. He had been too caught in the maelstrom of his thoughts and emotions to offer decent opposition. He was confused. Terrified of what his love for his wife would mean for the future of their marriage. Angry at himself for his weakness and his loss both.
He longed to whip his foil across the room.
