Page 71 of Marriage with a Proper Stranger

Julian took her hand. “Not many widows would take their late husband’s brother under their wing, especially one with the challenges Jonas faces. Many would have shipped him off to an institution, one of those wretched asylums. But not you.” He lifted her hand to his lips and kissed it.

“Tensbridge…”

Jonas burst into the room. “Tens! Come see the hedgehogs, and bring more apple.”

Julian welcomed the interruption. The room had become hot, the air close, the emotions powerful. He was not looking for this, or anything remotely close to it. He stood and gathered his greatcoat from the nearby chair. “Good afternoon, Mrs. Eaton.”

“Good afternoon, my lord.”

He grabbed a handful of sliced apple and left the room. Damn it all. Never should have come here. Should have sent a damned footman instead. His safe, staid world has been thrown off its axis, and it annoyed him to no end. But a part of him was intrigued.

Chapter 27

“Thank you, Mrs. Eaton, for taking us in for a couple days.” Sabrina, Mary, and Alberta sat in the front parlor, drinking fresh lemonade in the early evening.

“Please, do call me Alberta, Lady Pepperdon.”

“Only if you call me Sabrina. I no longer use the courtesy title.”

Alberta passed a plate of ginger biscuits to Mary. “And may I call you Mary?”

“I insist on it,” she replied as she took a couple of biscuits and laid them on her napkin.

“I do apologize for the state of this small manor house. My late uncle was a hermit and an eccentric, and in his final years allowed the place to go to ruin. We are slowly putting the place to rights. Our generous neighbors, the Wollstonecrafts, have been a great assistance, especially Garrett.” She smiled. “They are generous to a fault. I’ve never met such indomitable men.” Alberta stood. “I will leave you two to catch up while I check on Jonas and Mittens. He adores animals.” Alberta smiled and exited the room.

Mary blew out a cleansing breath. “Good Lord, what drama we find ourselves in.”

“I’m relieved you are here; I’ve been feeling rather adrift.” Sabrina placed her empty glass on the tray. “I don’t know where to begin.”

“My dear, you have a decision to make. It is not for me to make it for you,” Mary said, her voice kind. “Do you still love him?”

A loud sob escaped her. “Yes. Oh, yes. It’s what makes this difficult. You’ve heard the particulars?”

Mary nodded. “The earl filled me in. I understand why Riordan used the name Black; it is his middle name, his mother’s maiden name, and he wanted no distractions, to be treated as an equal, not a man from the peerage.”

“Yes, I understand it as well, but why did he not tell me as we grew closer? The other night we…well, he told me he loved me, and he showed me how much. Apparently he could not trust me with the information.”

Mary’s eyes widened. “That is the explanation he gave you?”

“No. He claims he wished to use the false name as grounds to obtain the annulment.” Sabrina paused and bit on her lower lip. “It makes sense. He did tell me he was keeping it hush-hush so I would act appropriately surprised before the court and would not be lying when the truth was revealed.”

“Again, sounds reasonable. And the settlement?”

“Riordan put up the money. Can you imagine? He knew about my father selling me and said nothing.” Sabrina thought to when they were leaving Durning House. She’d asked him if he had the settlement and he’d patted his pocket, claiming he had it well in hand. He hadn’t actually lied, but he wasn’t truthful either.

She waved her arm as Mary was about to speak. “I know. Generous to a fault. He kept the revelation to himself to protect me. But it is as if he were controlling my life, as Pepperdon and my father were.” Sabrina sighed. “I sound irrational to my own ears. I’m still coming to terms over the vile acts my father and the marquess perpetrated. I’m finding it difficult to sort through my feelings.”

Mary patted her hand. “Take as much time as you need. No one is pressing you for a decision. You have a choice, which is what you’ve always wanted, isn’t it, my dear? To be able to steer your own destiny? Here is the opportunity to do it.”

“If I decide to leave, what will we do for money?”

“As I told you, I have a nice sum. There are your jewels…we will manage. Do not let money influence your decision. I should tell you that Riordan has been dismissed from his position.”

Sabrina gasped. “What?”

“When I informed him you were missing, he left the school, and though he asked me to stay, the board was quite put out. However, his grandfather, the earl, spoke to the board member in question. I’m not sure of the outcome; Riordan will tell you.” She patted Sabrina’s hand, then reached for a biscuit. “The earl did state Riordan would have to decide what to do. I would guess the earl managed to get him reinstated, if he should wish to continue to teach.”

Sabrina mulled over the information. There were many paths to take for both of them. “The marriage is not a real one, even if I decide to stay with Riordan. He used a false name.”