Page 18 of To Wed a Wild Scot
But itcouldbe. Itwas. “It’s true, Fitzwilliam. If I don’t marry, Benedict gets custody of Grace and guardianship over her fortune and her future.”
Lord Cowden—or Benedict Reid, as Fitzwilliam and Juliana knew him—had been their neighbor and childhood playmate. The three of them had been inseparable at one time, but as they grew older Benedict had grown bitterly envious of Fitzwilliam. Fitzwilliam’s fortune was greater, his title grander, and his future wife…
More than anything, Benedict envied Fitzwilliam Juliana.
As it always did, envy turned to resentment, and resentment to hatred. Their childhood playmate had become their nemesis, and he was a formidable one.
Lord Cowden was clever, charming. All thetonexclaimed over his elegance, his wit. But at his heart Benedict was a cold, brutal man. No one understood that better than Juliana and Fitzwilliam. A man couldn’t hide his true nature from those who’d known him his whole life, and they knew Benedict for what he was.
Juliana resisted the urge to bury her face in her hands. It was a disaster. If it had been anyone but Benedict, perhaps she could have reconciled herself to it for Grace’s sake. But to turn her beloved niece over to such a villain…no, it was impossible. She’d run away with Grace before she’d ever let Benedict have her.
“I don’t understand this, Lina.” Fitzwilliam looked dumbfounded. “Of all people, how could your father have chosenhim? How did this happen?”
How? It was such a long, ugly story Juliana hardly knew where to begin. “About two months after you left for Scotland, Benedict came to me with an offer of marriage. He said—”
“Marriage!” Fitzwilliam’s face darkened with fury. “When he knew you were betrothed to me? Thatblackguard. He’s always wanted you, Lina, always schemed to get you for himself.”
“He’s always wanted my fortune, you mean.” Her father’s money, his properties—none of it was entailed. Even Graystone Court would go to Juliana.
Fitzwilliam’s hands clenched into fists. “He wantsboth.”
Juliana had been determined he’d get neither, and that was when the battle with Benedict had begun. “I refused him, but I was scared, Fitzwilliam. I knew he’d never give up as long as he thought he could get his hands on the estate, so I persuaded my father to secure everything in a trust for Grace, so my husband can’t touch a penny of it. I thought it would dissuade Benedict—put him off the idea of marrying me.”
“That wouldn’t dissuade him. He still wantsyou, Lina.”
A shudder wracked Juliana at the thought of either herself or Grace at Benedict’s mercy. “It did dissuade him for a time, but then Benedict began paying frequent visits to my father. They’d spend hours together, closeted away in my father’s study. I tried to put a stop to it, or at least to remain in the room while Benedict was there, but my father wouldn’t hear of my interfering in ‘gentleman’s business,’ as he put it.”
Fitzwilliam laughed bitterly. “Let me guess. Once their gentleman’s business was concluded?”
“Benedict had persuaded my father he couldn’t possibly leave Grace in an unprotected woman’s care. My father became frightened for me and Grace, and at Benedict’s urging he added an amendment to his will, designating Benedict as Grace’s guardian unless I’m married to a respectable gentleman by the time of my father’s death. That’s why Hugh and I became betrothed.”
Fitz looked dazed. “I can’t believe Lord Graystone would agree to such a thing.”
“If he’d been in his right mind he wouldn’t have, but his wits are befuddled, and he’s easily worked upon. Benedict played on his fears. My father knows he’s dying, and he’s desperate to see me safely married before he passes away. Remember too that Benedict’s father was my father’s dear friend and neighbor, and we grew up with Benedict. My father trusts him.”
Fitzwilliam dragged his hands down his face. “Does Benedict think to coerce you into a marriage with him this way?”
“No, he thinks to punish me for refusing him. There’s no longer any question of a marriage between us. He recently married Lady Jane Abbott.”
“Then I pity her.” Fitz shook his head. “This can’t be, Lina. No matter what, Grace can’t go to Cowden.”
Juliana didn’t answer, but sat quietly, biting her lip. She knew of only one way to save Grace from Benedict. Fitzwilliam knew it as well as she did, but he hadn’t said a word about their betrothal. That he hadn’t brought it up said more than any other word he’d uttered.
Every one of her feminine instincts rebelled against introducing the topic herself. No lady wanted to offer her hand to a gentleman who hadn’t asked for it, but neither could she allow Grace to be turned over to a monster like Benedict Reid.
“Do you intend to remain in Scotland much longer? My father’s health is precarious. If we intend to…that is, the understanding between our families…” Juliana trailed off, her face heating. Oh, how awful this was! It didn’t seem as if Fitzwilliam was still keen to marry her anymore, yet what was she to do if he didn’t? He was her last chance.
Grace’s last chance…
Juliana sucked in a breath, and plunged ahead. “We’ve been betrothed to each other from the cradle, Fitzwilliam. Our families always intended we’d marry. We’re friends, moreover, aren’t we?”
His gaze met hers, and his blue eyes softened. “Of course, we are, Lina. The best of friends.”
Juliana’s heart swelled with hope. “Then do this for me. Marry me, and return to England with me at once, before it’s too late for Grace.”
He didn’t answer, but turned his head away from her, his throat working. Later, Juliana would wonder why, after seeing that, she hadn’t realized his next words would devastate her.
That she’d made a dreadful mistake, coming here.
