“You’d say anything to defend him.” She paused. But there was something else she wanted to ask her brother. The same thing that had been niggling at the back of her mind since Sebastian had mentioned it. “Did you know that Sebastian and his mother…” Veronica’s voice drifted off. She was uncertain of how to finish the sentence. “Aren’t particularly close?” she finally managed.
Justin snorted. “That is an understatement. The woman is a monster. She never liked him. From what I understand, she was angry that he was born. The moment Sebastian’s father had his heir, he completely abandoned his wife to the countryside. She blamed her own son. How insane is that? Sebastian always told me he never wanted a marriage like that. Which is precisely why it’s a pity you two are so stubborn.”
Veronica frowned again. “He said that? That he didn’t want a marriage like that?”
“Who would?” Justin replied. “He’s always wanted a marriage based on love. And he thought he’d found one until you two had your…ahem…unfortunate falling out.”
Veronica’s breaths came in hard pants, little clouds in the cold air. What was Justin saying? What could he possibly mean? Sebastian had wanted a love match? How could that possibly be true? He’d never even told her he loved her. She’d just…wished…guessed…realized she’d been wrong about it the entire time. And he’d certainly mentioned nothing about wanting a marriage based on love.
Ha. Some love. The man barely made it eight weeks before lying to her…before returning to his mistress. She shook her head to clear it of thoughts of Sebastian. Justin’s words changed nothing. Sebastian had clearly been trying to win over her brother with empty sentiments. What else would he say to his wife’s brother, of all people?
But it was more difficult to erase the thought of Sebastian’s mother blaming him for his father’s infidelity, for his father leaving his mother in the country to rot. Veronica sucked in a breath. Wasn’t that what she was doing? Rotting in the country? Only she was there by choice, and if by some miracle she was already with child, she would love her baby fiercely and do anything to protect him from unhappiness or strife.
Her brother cleared his throat, jolting her from her muddled thoughts. “Tell me, what are your plans after you leave Whitmore Manor? Will you be returning to the countryside?” Justin asked.
Veronica bit her lip. “No, I, er…Sebastian and I are going back to London, until after Twelfth Night.”
Justin’s brows snapped together. “Twelfth Night?”
She nodded. “Sebastian asked me to attend Hazeltons’ ball with him, to stop the gossip about our marriage. You didn’t think he agreed to come here for nothing in return, did you?” Of course, she had no intention of informing her brother of Sebastian’s other condition.
Justin grinned. “Ah, I see. Quite clever of the old boy, really. Hmm. I assume you will pretend you’re a happy couple at the Hazeltons’ ball as well?”
“That’s right,” she replied with a sigh.
Justin cocked his head to the side. “Don’t you tire of pretending?”
She turned to face him. “What was that?”
“Oh, nothing,” Justin replied. “I’ll return to London with you. We can all travel together, and when we get to London, I have another gift for you…for you and Sebastian.”
Chapter Fifteen
They spent their last few nights at Whitmore Manor playing games, singing along while Jessica played the pianoforte, and laughing, mostly. Sebastian realized to his dismay that it was exactly like it had always been on trips to Whitmore Manor at Christmastide. Joyful and fun. He’d missed them all the last two years. He’d missed his family.
There were Christmas cakes to eat, and Christmas-themed charades to play, and even an incident with mistletoe during which Jessica had tried to insist Sebastian kiss her. He’d steadfastly refused of course, informing the chagrined young woman that her first kiss ought to be shared with someone much more deserving. Jessica had quickly got over her disappointment as she waxed poetic about the handsome gentlemen who she would meet come spring. “But how in the world will I pick which one to kiss?” she said with such solemnity, the entire family had burst out laughing.
“I should hope it would be obvious,” Elizabeth drawled.
Veronica had assured Jessica it would indeed be obvious, before sharing a look with Sebastian that made his throat tighten.
He’d quickly shrugged it off, however, and they’d had a lovely time with her entire family, including her grandfather, who seemed more fit and healthy by the day. Sharing the holiday with his family had obviously done him a world of good.
Regardless of the enjoyment he and Veronica had downstairs each day, when they went to bed each night, Sebastian steadfastly doused the candles and refused to turn to her. Even though the scent of her perfume nearly consumed him, and the sound of her low breaths made him hard. He punched the pillow with his fist and squeezed his eyes shut. He’d be damned if he was going to make love to her while she was telling herself it was nothing more than the fulfillment of a bargain. Of course, she never turned to him either. Doubtless she was nothing but relieved that he’d stopped touching her.
They stayed longer than they’d meant to, but even though he was frustrated with her, Sebastian couldn’t bring himself to make her leave her beloved grandfather. It was important that she spend as much time with the old duke as possible. It would be cruel of Sebastian to make her return to London too soon. Besides, what did it matter where they slept as long as they returned to London for the Hazeltons’ ball?
When they finally took their leave of Whitmore Manor, just two days before Twelfth Night, Sebastian hugged each Whitmoreland family member and somehow wished it wasn’t the last he’d see of them, knowing full well it probably was, at least for a long while. An odd lump had formed in his throat.
“Have a safe journey,” Mama said as she waved to them from the front door as Veronica, Sebastian and Justin all alighted into Sebastian’s coach. Justin’s coach and the servants’ coach would follow them back to town.
“Yes, and have fun,” Jessica called from beside her mother, waving one of her new Christmas handkerchiefs dramatically. “Do come back before the Season starts, Veronica. You must help us prepare.”
“Of course I will,” Veronica promised.
The ride back to London was awkward. The three of them had known each other since they were children, yet they barely spoke a word. Besides mentioning the weather, the delightful food they’d consumed over Christmastide, and the general look of the barren landscape, they each buried their noses in their respective reading materials for the greater part of the long ride back. Once in a while the silence was punctuated by Justin attempting to make a jest that was greeted by silence from the other two, before he shook his head at both of them and returned his attention to his book.
They arrived in London after dark. Huge snowflakes were falling all around the coach as they dropped Justin at his town house. “I’ll be by tomorrow with your other Christmas present,” Justin said as he hopped down from the coach.
