“I did not come here to discuss Lady Juliette’s health with you or to inform you of our intention to wed.” Armswell’s eyebrows rose and he prepared to speak, but Florian cut him off. “The reason I am here is because Lady Juliette was kidnapped this morning by Bartholomew. Her life was threatened because I failed to meet the demands of a man who would never have paid our family any mind, if it had not been for you.”
Armswell’s jaw tightened before going slack. Admirably, he did not avert his gaze but held Florian’s with visible determination. “You are right. I was young and stupid and have struggled with my conscience over what I did many times over.”
“Does Mama know?”
He shook his head. “No. She told you the truth. At least her version of it but I... I was too ashamed to tell her or anyone else that I had squandered my fortune. Foolishly, I allowed my cowardice to determine my actions and begged a loan from Bartholomew.”
“And then refused to pay it back.”
“Had I done so, I would have been no better off than before he gave me the necessary funds. I needed time to secure a steady income but he would not allow that.”
Disgust churned in Florian’s belly. “So you whored away your wife instead.”
“Not willingly!” Wild insistence sparked in Armswell’s eyes. “Damn it, Florian. The bastard took Lowell and demanded your mother’s compliance!”
“Something he would not have done if you had not sought his help in the first place.” Contempt had long since weeded out all sympathy. “Instead, Mama lost her pride, her dignity, her reputation, now that the truth is out. Have you even considered what people will think of her?”
“Of course I have. Which is why I have visited every paper that printed the damn story and demanded a retraction with an apology included.”
“Really?” Florian had to admit he had not expected the viscount to do so.
“Of course.” He expelled a deep breath and folded his arms on the table. “In spite of what you may think, I love your mother a great deal. Allowing the world to think the worst of her, because of something I am to blame for, is not an option.”
“So you lied for her?”
A quick nod confirmed this. “The retraction and apology will be printed tomorrow.”
Which was excellent news. And yet... “You should also make a public statement at the next social function, preferably with one of the journalists backing you up, if that’s possible.”
Armswell nodded. “I think I can handle that.”
Florian didn’t return the smile Armswell offered. Instead, he gave a curt nod. “Thank you.” He stood and went to the door.
“I do not know if you can ever forgive me for the choices I made, but I want you to know that I am glad something good came out of it.” When Florian turned with a raised eyebrow, Armswell said, “Had your mother not gone to him, you would not have been born and the world would have lacked an extraordinary man and physician.”
Unsure if such a trade was worth the cost, Florian chose not to comment, turning away instead and leaving Armswell House in favor of grasping his future with every bit of strength he possessed.
An hour later, he was admitted into the archbishop’s chambers and one hour after that, he was back at Huntley House with a special license, Henry, and a vicar agreeable enough to perform a service on short notice.
It felt like a dream. Dressed in her best muslin gown and with a wide length of stunning silk gauze draped over her head, Juliette repeated the words the vicar spoke and then listened with tears in her eyes while Florian did the same. Behind them stood Raphe, Gabriella, Coventry, Amelia and Lowell, all bearing witness to their heartfelt exchange of vows.
Florian kept his eyes trained on Juliette the entire time, just as she kept her gaze on him when it was her turn to speak.
“Do you have the ring?” the vicar asked Florian when Juliette had finished making her vows.
“I do.” Reaching inside his jacket pocket, Florian produced a simple gold band which he placed upon the vicar’s Bible.
The vicar gave a satisfied nod, then picked up the ring and handed it back to Florian. “Please put this upon the fourth finger of Juliette’s left hand and hold it there while repeating after me...”
Juliette’s heart leapt the moment she felt the cool piece of metal slide comfortably into place. Her eyes met Florian’s once again and saw in them the same degree of love she herself was experiencing. Her soul was verily overflowing with it, her body humming with infinite joy and excitement.
Laughter bubbled up inside her with such force she could barely contain it. The vicar added a prayer, a blessing and a piece of scripture, but she failed to focus in her eagerness for all of this to be over so she and Florian could proceed with their newly wedded state. He conveyed his own exuberance with the wide smile that had crept into place on his handsome face several minutes earlier and with the fierce kiss he gave her the moment the vicar had finished speaking.
It was passionate and warm and probably lasted a great deal longer than what was considered acceptable, but Juliette did not care. In fact, she could think of nothing better in all the world than kissing Florian back while he held her securely in his arms.
“Congratulations,” Raphe said moments later when they’d pulled apart and faced their family. He’d stepped forward so he could give Juliette a brotherly hug. “I am so incredibly happy for you.”
Everyone seconded this sentiment, embracing both Juliette and Florian in turn before calling on Pierson to serve some champagne.
