Page 22 of The Marquess’s Forbidden Bride

‘That’s what I thought at first. As it turned out, the passage led into another room—the library. Where, hanging over the fireplace, was a portrait. I understood then why the marchioness had sent us that way. Why she paled after actually looking at me. The portrait certainly stopped me in my tracks, for gazing at it was like looking into a mirror.’

‘A portrait of your father,’ she surmised.

He nodded, gazing sightlessly into the distance, as if envisioning the scene again. ‘“Julian Stratton, Earl of Dedenton, later Marquess of Richland, 1793, upon his marriage at the age of twenty-six”, the plaque under it said.’ He went silent for a moment, then sighed.

‘Up until that moment, I still harboured a tiny doubt that perhaps my aunt was mistaken, her sister was not really my mother, that the inheritance and the title I didn’t want were not mine after all. That my life could return to normal, I could relax and figure out how I fit into the future I had expected, which after leaving the army was proving daunting enough. But studying that image, there was no denying the startling resemblance. The man staring back at me had the same eyes, the same shape of face and chin. I barely heard my aunt remark what an excellent portrait it was—she had met Julian Stratton, you’ll remember.’ He shook his head. ‘I can no longer deny to myself that I must be Marquess of Richland after all.’

Emma imagined the moment—how he’d teetered on disbelief, an unspoken hope that his life might not be upended, that he might work once again toward a future that, though expected, was uncomfortable enough. That he wouldn’t have to deal with this huge additional change.

‘It must have been…extraordinary, to be suddenly “faced”, as it were, by the father you’d never known.’

‘Like falling backwards through a void, not knowing where you will land,’ he agreed quietly. ‘Seeing a face both familiar, yet hauntingly different. Struggling to accept I’d just been confronted by the identity I’d always wondered about, one so different from what I could have hoped or expected. A certainty that both cast light where there had been only the darkness of speculation, but that also…trapped me. I realised in that moment that I was saddled with a destiny I could not, in honour, escape.’

‘A daunting realisation indeed.’

‘But I shouldn’t sound so self-pitying. I’m hardly going to meet the hangman, after all.’ He laughed again. ‘I imagine most men would be overjoyed to find themselves suddenly the possessor of title and wealth. Which is why I’m so anxious to see my friends, as they both also found themselves coming unexpectedly into lands and title. For Rafe it was not as much a shock; as a younger son, there was always a chance he might inherit if anything happened to his brother. But for Hart, not only was becoming a duke unexpected, he’d always been disdained by his grandfather’s family, a disdain that was mutual. The last thing that son of a Scots lass wanted was to become an English peer. He, more than anyone, will understand what this feels like.’

‘What happens next, then?’

‘First, all the legal manoeuvrings. My aunt and I called on our solicitors yesterday. They will meet with the Stratton family solicitors to discuss the terms of my father’s will, inspect the settlements to sort out ownership of properties and discover how the widow’s portion was set up. According to the solicitor, the usual arrangement would be for me to assume residence.’

‘Will you move in with family, then?’

He shuddered. ‘Live with people I don’t know who would fiercely resent my presence? Absolutely not! The solicitor also said it’s quite common for unmarried men of title to live separately from the parental home, even if relations are cordial. He recommended I take rooms at Albany. He also recommended I send to Oxford to have Lord George recalled so the news of his change in status may be conveyed here, privately.’

‘Do you feel guilty, stripping away from Lord George an inheritance he has always believed to be his? You shouldn’t. Your aunt maintains the Stratton family stripped you of your birthright for too many years.’

‘Do I feel guilty?’ He looked pensive. ‘No, more… conflicted, perhaps. It’s neither Lord George’s fault nor mine the way things have shaken out. I do want to discover what can be done for him, though. It’s not fair that, through no fault of his own, he should go from heir to a title and a rich estate to second son overnight. After all that, there’s the matter of my official presentation in the House of Lords, apparently a rather extensive and tradition-filled ceremony I shall have to ask Hart about. Unfortunately, you are introduced by another of your own rank, which means I can’t ask him to present me.’ He paused. ‘I’d hoped to approach Lord Englemere about it, if that weren’t too presumptuous, but when I saw him at his club, he seemed…distant.’

Emma looked away, pondering how to proceed. The lieutenant wasn’t the only one with news that needed to be conveyed, she thought ruefully. She’d almost blurted out the story earlier when he’d asked if she believed in love matches; she should probably deliver the whole now.

Observing her sudden silence, Marsden frowned. ‘Is something wrong? I cannot imagine what I might have done to disturb Lord Englemere, but please tell me if I have. He’s been so helpful, I would not for the world offend him.’

‘There is a…complication, though it’s nothing you’ve done. It all happened well before your time—and mine. And it might come to nothing. I certainly hope that proves true, but it’s probably best you are aware of the circumstances, just in case.’

‘Now I’m really alarmed,’ the lieutenant said, his frown deepening. ‘Please, tell me immediately.’

‘I’d like to delay—just for a bit. After our stroll you must be longing for some refreshment. I know I am. If I assure you there is nothing about it to incite alarm, would you agree to wait for further explanation until we return to Stanhope House? It is rather complicated, and I’d prefer to relate it in comfort, over tea.’

‘If you prefer, I suppose I can wait. After all, you waited with good grace though the whole of our excursion without pressing me for news you must have been impatient to hear.’

‘Shall we proceed to the ferry, then? I’ll talk with Johnson another time. After being so disobliging, I’ll not make you wait any longer than necessary.’

‘Then lead on, my lady.’

Taking his proffered arm, she turned with him and headed at a brisk pace down the pathway that would lead them back to the gate to Kew Green.

How would he take this further news? she wondered nervously as they walked. She hoped he would feel, like she did, that their association could continue. Surely he’d been wounded enough by events that happened decades ago not to want to let anything else from the past further affect their future.

Despite asking for the delay, she was impatient to impart the whole as quickly as possible. And learn this very day whether her friendship with the most intriguing man she’d yet to meet would be prematurely terminated.

To lose the company of this man she’d begun to value so highly, she painfully acknowledged, would be a crushing disappointment.

Chapter Eight

A short time later, Emma sat with Lieutenant Marsden in the Green Parlour at Stanhope House, pouring tea. With Sarah occupied, in case some member of Society called unexpectedly, she’d yielded to propriety and installed her maid in the corner of the parlour. Sally, bless her, could be quite deaf when needed.

‘It was overly dramatic of me to make you wait,’ Emma admitted as she handed the lieutenant his cup. ‘But as this story is almost as complicated as the one about your heritage, I wanted to be able to relate it at leisure. In addition, I felt you might wish to…discuss how to proceed next, once you’ve heard the whole. You’ve not offended Englemere. He just wishes to avoid further complicating an already complicated situation until you have fully transitioned into your new role and family.’