Once she was gone, he let out the breath he’d felt like he’d been holding the entire time they were in the room together. He moved toward the desk, staring at the brooch as he neared it. The miniature along the top had been fashioned to look like Anne, something he had commissioned the year she turned sixteen.
It felt like a lifetime ago when he’d done it. When he’d still been a good brother, had the opportunity to be a good man. When Anne was still alive, when he could see her face and hear her laughter any time he desired to do so.
He touched the brooch, pain rising up in him as he did so. Anne had been the last person who loved him. The last person who thought he deserved such emotion and connection. If she were here to know the bargain he’d just made with the Earl of Martingale’s daughter, she would look at him with such horror and contempt.
He shook his head and turned away from the pin. He had made his bargain. It would not last long. Once a month was over, he would likely be finished with his desire for Marianne and she would be well pleased to be rid of him. That would be the end of it. He would go back to being alone.
Just as he deserved to be.
Marianne had not slept a wink since her encounter with the Duke of Avondale. She felt the effects as she trudged down the stairs to the parlor, where she would break the news of her departure to Juliet. The rest of the household staff already knew. They had been ordered to make arrangements for their move to Avondale’s cottage in a month’s time.
She would never forget the look on her butler’s face when she’d told him. He had stared at her like she had sprung a second head, and he didn’t even know the worst of it.
That she was trading her body for Juliet’s future. A bargain where she would surely gain more than Avondale would. Her freedom was a high cost for whatever small amount of pleasure she might bring to him.
Now, her own pleasure?Thatwas another story. She had not had a moment pass since she left his home where she didn’t think of that searing kiss between them. Her lips still burned with the memory and with anticipation of what else the sinfully seductive and obviously experienced duke could do to her.
She entered the parlor to find Juliet sitting with her governess. Miss Bennett had already heard the news, and Marianne had asked her to stand by to help comfort Juliet. There would be little time for Marianne to do so, herself. The Duke of Avondale had already sent word he would come for her shortly.
“You have been busy this morning,” Juliet said as she crossed the room to kiss Marianne’s cheek. “I didn’t see you at breakfast.”
Marianne smiled and shot Miss Bennett a look. The governess nodded as if understanding to be ready. “Yes, I have been busy, poppin,” Marianne said. “You see, I must…I must go away for a little while.”
Juliet took a step back and stared up at her in confusion. “Go—go away?” she repeated. “But…but why? Where? For how long?”
Marianne took her sister’s hand and led her to the settee. “Don’t be upset, darling. You know that we cannot stay in this house for long thanks to Cousin Samuel. I have found us a situation in the country where I hope we will be happy, but I must go ahead to take care of some business before you can join me.”
“In the country?” Juliet repeated.
Marianne forced a smile to her face as she nodded. “Oh yes. A lovely cottage!”
She hoped that part was true. God, she hoped this entire bargain would lead to happiness and comfort for her sister.
Juliet gave a look to Miss Bennett and then worried her lip. “How long will you be away?”
“A month is all, and then you will join me,” Marianne said. She reached for her sister, but Juliet stepped out of the way.
“A month is a very long time!” she gasped out. “I don’t want you to go away for so long.”
“I know, but—”
“I don’t want you to go away at all!” Juliet said, her eyes filling with tears before she bolted from the room and up the stairway toward her chamber.
Marianne let out a sigh as she glanced at the clock on the mantel. The duke would be here at any moment. There was no time to pursue Juliet and try to make it right between them.
Miss Bennett rose and came toward her. “I will talk to her, my lady,” she said kindly. “I’ll help her see that you are doing what you think is best for her. That you are…sacrificingfor her.”
Marianne blinked at Miss Bennett’s tone and looked at her closely. The servants would certainly have their theories and opinions about this sudden decision, especially once Avondale’s carriage pulled up to collect her. Certainly, none of those could be worse than the truth of what she was doing.
“Do you think I’m doing the right thing?” she whispered.
Miss Bennett’s smile softened. She was of an age to Marianne, and there was a friendliness they had always maintained. “Sometimes what is best may not be what others would consider right. I know you love your sister and you would surrender a great deal to help her.”
Marianne nodded. “I would.”
Of course, at present the idea of a month with Avondale didn’t feel like the biggest sacrifice in the world to her. Not if his kisses were as melting as last night’s had been.
“A carriage just pulled up,” Miss Bennett said, making Marianne turn toward the window. It was a fine carriage, indeed, with Avondale’s crest huge and blatant on the side.
