“Have you learned anything more about the Andrews daughters?” he asked. “Any sort of scandal that I could use against them?”
Sarah frowned. “I’m not certain. There is something different about their family, but I’ve not discovered what.” She stood and walked over to the window. “Have you thought of another woman you might marry?”
“No.” There was only one woman he wanted, and he’d not given up on her yet, though she had married another.
A thin smile crossed his face. Juliette hadn’t gone to her marriage bed as an innocent. He wondered what Fraser would say if Brandon revealed that he’d claimed her first. Had she told her husband the truth? Perhaps a letter might do well to remedy that. But then, he didn’t know where they’d gone. According to his sources, Dr. Fraser had taken Juliette away, and none could say their destination.
It didn’t matter. There were ways to coax Fraser back to Ballaloch, if he wasn’t there already. His mother was there, was she not? And Fraser would undoubtedly come to her aid, if she required it of him. Strathland smiled at the thought.
“Brandon, there is an assembly tonight that I wish to attend.” Sarah’s voice interrupted his plans.
“Go without me.” He had little desire to put on airs or pretend interest in brainless debutantes.
“You’re not living up to our arrangement,” she argued. “We would have no invitations at all, if it weren’t for me. I thought you intended to seek a bride.”
“My intentions are none of your concern. Go and throw yourself at men, if that’s your wish. I don’t care.”
“I want a good husband. One who’s wealthy and kind, who—”
“Then look among the men who have one foot in the grave, Sarah. God knows, none of the younger men would take a second look at you, unless they were blind and deaf. You’ve got the face of a horse, and there’s not a young man in London who would have you.”
Her cheeks burned red, and her gaze turned icy. “You needn’t be cruel.”
“I’m speaking the truth, dear Sister. Throw yourself on their mercy, if that’s your will. But I’m leaving for Scotland within the week. Whether you come or stay does not matter to me.”
“You know how much I loathe Scotland.”
“Then stay in London. Find an old woman, and be her companion. Join the ranks of the courtesans, for all I care. But I’ll not stay here any longer.”
Brandon waved a hand, and she obeyed the unspoken command, closing the door behind her. He didn’t doubt that she’d find a way to remain in London.
While he intended to put an end to Paul Fraser’s interference.
The coachman drove them down a winding path that led to a manor house atop a hillside. Juliette stared at the estate, made of gray limestone and windows that were taller than her. Smoke drifted from the chimney, making it clear that someone was there waiting for them.
“Is this your uncle’s house?” she asked. “I never expected it to be like this.” The house and lands were vast, with acres as far as the eye could see. She guessed the house had at least twenty rooms, if not more.
Paul let out a breath, his gaze distant. “It was his, aye.”
She waited for him to explain more about it, but he said nothing. Then, too, she hadn’t known about his uncle’s death before yesterday.
After they disembarked from the coach, Juliette took his arm, noting the grim expression on his face. Something was weighing upon him, and she strongly suspected it had to do with her.
He hadn’t returned to their bed last night. She didn’t know where he’d gone, but the glassy stare on his face suggested that he hadn’t slept at all. His pace slowed along the gravel pathway, and she stopped walking. “Do you want to tell me what’s bothering you, or am I supposed to guess?”
He glanced at the house and then back at her. “My uncle was the Viscount of Falsham before he died a few months ago. This house now belongs to me, as does the title. Which makes you Lady Falsham.”
Had he announced himself as the King of England, she couldn’t have been more surprised. “Then… all of the rumors in London were true?” She’d never imagined it was possible. How could he have lived in such poverty all his life, only to inherit this?
“They were, aye. But I didna ken about my father’s family until I left Ballaloch to study medicine.” He continued walking, leading her up the stone steps.
She frowned, not knowing what to make of that. Others had told her that he was a viscount’s heir, but she’d not believed them, for she’d known Paul for so many years. It felt as if he’d given her lies of omission, leading her to believe they would live in poverty. And yet, he’d never denied the stories.
A footman opened the door and offered Paul a broad smile. “Praise be, and thanks to Heaven, His Lordship is home. Come in, come in.” When he spied Juliette, the man’s eyes brightened. “My lady, we are glad to welcome you home.”
The butler joined them in the hallway, bowing low. With a silent gesture, he ordered the footman to fetch their belongings. “You are very welcome indeed, my lady,” he said.
“This is my new viscountess,” Paul said. To Juliette, he introduced the older man. “This is Mr. John Fraser, the butler. If you have any needs, he will see to them.”
