Page 73 of Marriage Most Scandalous
“Douglas was kind enough not to point that out and let me decide for myself.”
“Which was fortunate for me,” Sebastian put in, coming to Maggie’s rescue.
“Indeed!” Alberta was forced to agree. “Well, come along, then. I can’t monopolize you when everyone here is eager to wish you well.”
Margaret managed not to laugh, since she was sure everyone there would just as soon not speak to Sebastian, given their initial reaction to him. But she was surprised. His earlier laughter had eased most of the guests’ wariness, and in the next hour, the well-wishing did sound genuine. Only Cecil and his fiancée hadn’t spoken to them, and Alberta had the good sense not to force that particular confrontation.
She left them soon after to mingle. “Thank God that’s over with,” Sebastian remarked.
Margaret shared his sentiments, though she allowed, “That went much better than I expected.”
“I passed muster, did I?” he replied dryly.
She looked up at him and was struck again by how handsome he was.
“Indeed. One might actually think you were Sebastian Townshend, rather than The Raven.”
He didn’t actually roll his eyes at her, but she had the feeling he would have if the old Sebastian really were in attendance. But then abruptly, any amusement he’d been experiencing vanished.
He couldn’t have looked more somber when he said, “I have one more duty I feel obliged to perform.”
She went very still. He was staring at Cecil. She didn’t have to ask what he meant. She ought to talk him out of it. It wouldn’t be pleasant for either man. But that word “duty” kept her from trying.
“I’ll fetch some punch,” she said, but added hesitantly, “or would you like reinforcements?”
“I doubt your presence would ease the situation. Cecil always was one to speak his mind.”
She nodded. “Then let us hope he can do so quietly.”
Chapter 44
SEBASTIAN RECOGNIZED THE WOMANwith Cecil. The duchess of Felburg had aged very well and still bore a close resemblance to the picture he’d been shown, which had been taken more than twenty years ago.
He thought it rather foolish of her to let it be known she was a duchess in the country where she was seeking refuge from a vengeful duke. Even more foolish to plan to marry an Englishman when she already had a husband. Did Cecil know? No, of course not, or he wouldn’t have asked the lady to marry him.
“Cecil?”
Giles’s father turned and flushed angrily at the sight of Sebastian. “You dare speak to me? My presence here doesn’t mean I condone yours. Get out of my sight!”
Sebastian had steeled himself for this. Cecil’s reaction didn’t surprise him.
But before he could reply, the woman standing with Giles’s father implored in a low voice, “Cecil, please, do not cause a scene. I am barely accepted here yet.”
He patted his fiancée’s hand, which was resting on his arm and gave her a reassuring smile. It was apparent now that he’d come to the party only for her sake.
“I will keep that in mind, m’dear,” he told her. “Now, if you will give me a moment—”
“She should stay,” Sebastian said. “I have news she will want to hear. But first—I’m sorry, Cecil. No one regrets Giles’s death more than I do.”
“Don’t,” the older man choked out. “I come home to find my son dead and already buried. And you—”
“It was an accident,” Sebastian cut in. “You can’t really think I meant to kill him? I went there to fire into the air. If he was angry enough to kill me, so be it. But his bullet nicked my arm, lowering it just as I fired. Good God, did no one ever tell you what happened there?”
“Does that bring him back?” Cecil demanded. “He was my only son!”
For such an emotional statement, Sebastian would have expected to see more than just anger in Cecil’s eyes. But nothing else could have brought the pain back so strongly for him than those particular words. His own heart ripped open, “He was my best friend! How many times do I have to die because of that slut he married?”
“Please!” the duchess begged again.
