At that moment, his eyes flickered with pity.
Of course, Sophia would have informed him of the nature of her and Marcus’ marriage. Prescott had to know that her husband had married her simply to defy his father.
And Prescott had uncovered information that changed everything. Marcus had been estranged from his father, mother, and sister over nothing. Marcus didn’t have an abandoned child, living or dead. And he’d been betrayed by a woman he thought he’d loved.
“You will tell him?” Prescott’s brows furrowed.
Emily’s future would unfold so much easier if she did not.
And yet.
He needed to know the truth. He needed to know the truth about the child—that there wasn’t one.
Perhaps he could reconcile with his family.
Except… for his marriage to her.
Emily’s very existence could ruin everything for him. The Duke of Waters was a proud man. He was a man who would not take kindly to Marcus’ defiant act of marrying such a nobody as her.
And an annulment was out of the question.
Prescott awaited Emily’s answer.
“I must. Is not the truth always best?”
At her words, he winced ever so slightly. His eyes dropped to the papers before him and then he took a deep breath. “I will leave the decision to you.”
A thought occurred to her. “Does Sophia know?” If she decided to keep the information from her husband, she’d want to be certain as few individuals knew the truth as possible.
Black eyes stared back at her. “It is your secret to tell. I have not discussed any of this with Sophia.”
Emily shivered at his words. Such an intimidating man. And yet, she’d seen the other side of him with his child and wife.
Being a duke likely shaped a man.
Marcus would one day be a duke.
Emily swallowed hard.
“Thank you, your grace.” He’d accomplished more than she might have imagined in such a short amount of time. Or his investigators had anyhow.
But that she’d never asked him.
At this moment, she wished her curious nature to perdition.
The duke nodded, and Emily rose. A life-changing decision had been placed in her hands.
She closed the duke’s door behind her and drifted along the corridor. Was there any decision to be made? Male voices floated out of the billiard room.
Marcus and Mr. Nottingham’s.
“…get it over with and then bring her down to Southampton. Your property is close enough to mine. I know Cecily will be more than happy to take your wife under her wing.” A clacking sound followed Mr. Nottingham’s suggestions.
Emily huddled beside the wall. She knew better than to eavesdrop. It was rude. And yet, if she could learn some of the workings of Marcus’ brain…
“Convenient that.” But Marcus did not expand on his thoughts. Men! Would it kill them to share something of themselves with even their dearest of friends?
“Never thought I’d live to see the day.” This from Nottingham. “Regrets?”
