She’d only met the woman the night before and had spent little time with her. Veronica got the impression from Sebastian that he didn’t particularly want her to spend much time with his mother. Anything he said about the woman was short and emotionless. In all the years she’d known him, Sebastian had never said much about either of his parents, actually. And he changed the subject whenever she’d asked about either of them. She’d got the impression from Justin that Sebastian’s father had been a harsh, exacting man. But she heard practically nothing about his mother. She’d told herself if there was something important to know, Sebastian would have told her. But it hadn’t stopped Veronica from being exceedingly curious about his mother. Which is why Veronica had been filled with nerves that morning, wanting so badly to make a good impression on Sebastian’s only remaining family member.
The dowager was beautiful, with dark black hair and sparkling emerald eyes. Her age hadn’t diminished her beauty one whit.
“Good morning, Your Grace,” the lady had said as she came to stand next to Veronica. Delight had shot through Veronica. She’d already forgotten that she was a duchess and would be referred to as ‘Your Grace’ by most everyone.
“I love the sunrise,” Veronica had said, a huge smile on her face.
“How charming,” the dowager had drawled. “Young people are so full of optimism.”
Veronica had frowned, not exactly certain how to reply to that. She’d hoped Sebastian’s mother would be content with quietly watching the sunrise since that was what she preferred, but the dowager hadn’t remained silent for an entire minute before she said, “I want you to know something, my dear.” A serious look had fallen over the woman’s face and a knot formed in Veronica’s middle.
“My husband, the late duke, wasn’t faithful to me a day of our marriage.”
Veronica had been forced to stifle a gasp. Why was the duchess sharing such intimate information with her?
“I see,” was all Veronica had managed to croak, but a thousand thoughts were already racing through her head. Awful memories of her parents’ fights, her mother’s sobs.
“It was quite painful,” the dowager continued. “He had a mistress. One he never relinquished.”
Veronica had wanted the ground to open and swallow her. All she could do was nod. Was it possible the dowager knew about her own father’s infidelity? Or was it merely that most men cheated? Most men except Grandpapa…and Sebastian, of course.
“You should know…” the duchess had continued, a pinched, angry look on her face. “Sebastian has a mistress.”
In that moment, time stopped. The breath was stolen from her lungs and Veronica began shaking so violently she had to move over a few steps to place a trembling hand on the stone wall that surrounded the garden. She turned to stare at the duchess, unblinking. She wanted to say something, anything, but it felt as if she’d been punched directly in the gut and words had failed her.
“Her name is Melissa,” the duchess offered next.
It felt as if Veronica’s stays were slowly pressing the life from her body. Was Sebastian’s mother truly informing her that her son would not be faithful? Had Veronica just made a terrible mistake marrying him? “No. No. Not Sebastian,” she’d finally said. But she wasn’t entirely certain if she was defending him or trying to convince herself.
“Don’t believe me? Ask him. And if I were you,” the duchess continued, “I would secure Sebastian’s promise…immediately…to rid himself of her. Put your foot down now or you’ll end up like I did. Heartbroken. And alone.”
Thankfully, a pair of wedding guests had entered the garden just then and the four of them were forced to exchange greetings. Veronica had used the interruption to make her excuses and flee back into the house, but she’d spent the rest of the day mortified, barely able to speak more than a word or two as she and Sebastian spent the day saying good-bye to their many guests.
Veronica had spent hours dwelling on it, wondering if it could be true and what she should do about it. She’d never asked Sebastian if he would be faithful. She’d just…assumed it. They’d been so happy together. So…seemingly…in love. And Grandpapa had approved of him. She’d even asked her grandfather the night Sebastian had proposed. “Am I making the right choice, Grandpapa? I’m frightened.”
The old man had nodded and hugged her. “You’re making an excellent choice, V. You couldn’t pick a finer man. I’ve known Sebastian since he was a boy.” They’d all known him since he was a boy. He was Justin’s closest friend. He wasn’t an adulterer, was he? Until this moment, she hadn’t known he’d been a man with a mistress, either. What else didn’t she know about him?
Finally, that night after their wedding, after Veronica and Sebastian had ushered the last guests to their coach, Veronica had decided she would simply speak to her husband directly. She would ask him if what his mother had said was true and inform him she would not countenance a mistress.
Veronica waited until they were alone in their bedchamber that evening. He’d pulled her into his arms, but before he could begin kissing her neck, which she’d already learned drove her immediately wild, she stopped him.
“Who is Melissa?” she’d asked pointedly, looking him directly in the eye, watching him closely for his reaction.
The color immediately drained from Sebastian’s face, and he stepped back. Nausea had seeped into Veronica’s belly. Was this why Sebastian hadn’t wanted Veronica to meet his mother before the wedding? And why the devil hadn’t Justin told her?
“Where did you hear that name?” Sebastian asked, a thunderous look on his face.
Veronica had swallowed hard but held her ground. She was determined to be clear about her conditions. “That hardly matters. Is it true? Is she your mistress?”
“She was my mistress,” Sebastian replied curtly.
Veronica had nearly doubled over. Sebastian had a mistress? Her Sebastian? The man she’d loved since she was a girl? The man she’d just taken vows with the day before? “I demand you get rid of her,” Veronica replied next, shaking with nerves. She hadn’t intended to sound so imperial, but she was shaking with fear. If he said no…if he refused…she would be forced to…to what? They were already married. She would just have to separate herself from him, exactly the way she’d always wanted Mama to separate from Father. Veronica could not—would not—pretend to be happily married to a man who refused to be faithful. Even without an heir, she would not welcome such a man into her bed. Their entire future hung in the balance of this conversation.
An inscrutable expression settled on Sebastian’s face and a muscle ticked in his jaw. “It’s taken care of,” he replied in a monotone voice.
Veronica had expelled a deep breath, one filled with relief. The riotous nerves that had made her feel as if she would cast up her accounts had settled, but she needed one final assurance. “I have your word?” she prodded. “You won’t have anything further to do with Melissa?”
Sebastian’s gaze had remained focused on the path in front of them, but he had nodded and replied distinctively, “You have my word.”
