Page 91 of Marriage Most Scandalous
“That would not be the only reason,” Pierre said. “She and I grew up in the slums of Paris. This house,” he waved a hand to indicate the grandeur around him, “and the social stature that comes with it, she has always craved. She would never have left here willingly, for any reason. But indeed, it was all in her own mind, this grand love she imagined the two of you would have. If you never returned her love, she would blame you for destroying her dreams and want revenge for that, to make you miserable, as you say.”
Denton groaned. “What kind of twisted love is that, to get people killed—?”
Sebastian cut in. “She has committed crimes that will put her away for a long time, but she’s never caused anyone’s death.”
“Giles died,” Denton said, “and if you don’t see how she was directly responsible—”
“I believe this is my cue,” Giles said in the doorway.
Chapter 54
WHEN THE INCREDULOUS REACTIONS SETTLED DOWN, the questions began to fly. Sebastian listened with only half an ear as Giles repeated his story and Pierre filled in a few loose ends, mainly that Cecil hadn’t just shown Juliette how she could trick Denton into marriage. He’d also promised her there would be a nice title involved eventually. He’d been that sure that Douglas would disown Sebastian because of the duel. And it was that promise that had won him Juliette’s cooperation, part of the plan he hadn’t shared with his son.
Giles made no excuses for his father, just told his audience exactly what he’d told Sebastian. He had done one last thing for Cecil, though. He’d sent him word to warn him that he was coming home to put an end to both his and Sebastian’s long exile. Not surprisingly, Cecil had left England himself rather than face the condemnation of his peers for what he had set in motion. Sebastian was annoyed at how Giles’s mere presence was miraculously ending long estrangements.
“Douglas and Abigail had already made up,” Margaret said beside him.
Was she reading his mind now? She’d been holding his hand under the table, or rather, he’d been holding hers. He just wanted to get out of there with her. He’d done what he came there to do. Watching Giles be so easily forgiven and welcomed home was turning his stomach.
“I convinced your father to stop punishing himself,” Margaret continued, as if he knew what she was talking about.
“Excuse me?”
“That’s what he’s been doing all these years, you know. He deliberately cut himself off from the two people who would have consoled him. Well, it doesn’t sound as if Cecil would have consoled him a’tall, but—” And then she gasped, because she’d been listening to Giles with half an ear, too. “A son! I have a nephew?”
She started to cry in joy. Sebastian rolled his eyes but dragged her chair closer so he could put an arm around her. She wasn’t the only one crying. So was Abigail. And Douglas hadn’t stopped smiling. Bloody hell, he had to get out of there before some of that good cheer turned in his direction.
He stood up to leave and told Margaret, “Let’s go.”
She looked up at him in confusion. “You’re joking, right?”
“Not even close.” “But—oh, dear,” she guessed. “You haven’t forgiven Giles yet, have you?”
“Was I supposed to?”
“Well—yes.” She yanked him back down to his seat. “You don’t blame your brother for being tricked. How is Giles any different, when what he did he did out of love and loyalty for his father?”
“Denton’s only fault was having a pretty face that Juliette fell in love with. He’s suffered just as much as I have all these years and saw no way out of it. While Giles hasn’t suffered at all and could have come home at any time to put an end to all this.”
She frowned. “This isn’t about Giles, is it?”
“Don’t press it, Maggie.”
“Of course I will,” she retorted. “I’m your wife now and I will not tolerate your being unhappy.”
He stared at her and then he burst out laughing. God love her, she was serious. And priceless. He didn’t deserve her, but she was his lifeline to happiness and he was going to hold tight to it.
He stood up again, lifted her up, and kissed her. “We can discuss this at home.”
“But this is your home.”
“Not anymore. And shh, it’s all right, Maggie, really. Nothing else matters now that I have you.”
She tenderly cupped his cheek. “You’re going to make me cry, saying things like that.”
“As long as you do it with a smile, I suppose I can tolerate a few tears,” he replied dryly.
“Is something wrong?” Douglas asked behind them.
