They shared a precious moment that she bound up in a memory.
It tookJulian nearly a sennight to travel to his father’s home in Norfolk and with each turn of the wheels, his frustration mounted. Once the carriage finally pulled before Ashford House, Julian jumped before it ever came to a full stop and strode for the door. He did not wait for the butler to open it but stepped inside and went in search of his father, who he found sitting behind his desk in the library.
“I knew that you would return as soon as you learned of your betrothal.” His father did not even bother to look up from the papers he was working on.
“How dare you make such an announcement. I do not even know her and I demand that you recant it.”
“I will not.”
“Why?” Julian demanded. “Who is this woman?”
His father set down the quill and finally looked up at Julian. “She is the miss that Grayson ruined. She also carries his child.”
His father was not in his right mind. Perhaps the shock of Grayson’s death had addled him. After all, he did suffer an apoplexy, at least according to the missive he received. “And you expect me to marry her?”
“Yes. She could be carrying the next heir.”
All Julian could do was stare at his father. Nobody else would expect Julian to marry the woman his brother ruined because of a child. It was not his mess to clean up. Further, had the brother not shot Grayson, this meeting would not be necessary.
“The next heir will come from Grayson’s seed and that woman carries his child. The last hope for an heir.”
Julian just stood there. He was now the heir but apparently his son would not be good enough, just as Julian never had been.
“I will not marry her.”
His father slammed his fist down on the desk and stood. “You have no choice in the matter.”
There was nothing his father could do to him. Nothing.
“You will do as you are told,” his father said in a calmer tone. “For once in your life, do the right thing. You will marry Miss Hooper, claim that child as your own and he will be my next heir. Do you understand?”
“I am not marrying a woman I have never met.” Besides, Julian knew who he wanted to wed, and she was currently at a school in Cornwall. “Or love.”
His father sneered. “You always were the sensitive one. Spent too much time with your mother and not the tutors.”
“Her brother killed your favored son. Does that mean nothing to you?”
“That man will never be allowed on this property, or near the next heir.”
“How do you even know she is with child? How do you know that it is not some kind of ruse?”
“If they wanted to swindle me, they would not demand marriage. They would only want payment. No woman would risk forcing a marriage because it would become all too clear if she was not increasing.”
“By then she’d already be Viscountess, and little could be done.”
His father paused for a moment as if that thought had not occurred to him. Then he waved a hand in dismissal. “Once you meet her, you will realize the impossibility of her trying to fool anyone.”
“I am still not marrying her,” Julian insisted. “And, even if she is expecting, how can you be so certain it belongs to Grayson?”
“Neither man would have risked a duel if there was a question as to parentage.”
“Did Grayson know she was expecting when he met the brother?” Julian demanded.
“It matters not!” His father slammed his fist on the desk. “She carries my grandson, and her family has turned her out and made her my responsibility, which is now your responsibility.”
“You cannot force me to say the vows, nor will I.” Julian turned with every intention of leaving the estate even though he'd just arrived.
“Your quarterlies will stop, nor will you inherit anything from me other than what is decreed by title.”
