Page 85 of The Insufferable Duke
When Helena felt someone move at her side, she looked away, her breath hitching. Christopher leaned on the wall beside her, their arms not quite touching. He wouldn’t look at her though he had the smallest of smiles on his lips as he too looked at their siblings together.
Will he hate me forever for accusing him?
Helena chewed the inside of her mouth in sudden fear as she replayed the moment in her mind when she had thrown accusations at him then left him, refusing to let him touch her again.
Perhaps I have ruined what was between us forever more. He might not forgive me for all of my distrust.
Her hand itched to reach out and touch him, but she held herself back.
“Will you abandon your foolish endeavors now?” Benjamin asked his brother. Gibbs slowly moved to his feet and stepped toward Julia and Lord Robert.
“There is something I must ask first.” He looked at the pair of them. “Julia?”
She stopped in her conversation with Lord Robert though she didn’t release his hands. Lord Robert turned such a glare on Gibbs that Helena thought the look was ice. It was a wonder to her that Gibbs didn’t freeze to the spot under that look.
“I need to be certain,” Gibbs said quietly. “You are happy with this choice, Julia? This is truly what you want?”
“I’m beginning to think you’re deafer than I am,” Benjamin said pointedly.
Helena smiled at her father’s spirited words.
“Perhaps I am.” Gibbs nodded morosely, but still waited for his niece’s answer. “Let me hear from your own mouth, Julia. This is what you want?”
Julia squeezed Lord Robert's hand and stepped forward, moving closer to her uncle.
“Then hear me clearly, Uncle,” she said pleadingly. “I love Robert. Nothing would make me happier than marrying him. I do not care what rivalry has existed between these two families for years, and in truth, I care even less what started it all.” She shrugged her shoulders. “It is so far removed from us now; I never truly understood why we had to hold onto such resentment for so long.”
“But... what of their business practices? All their dodgy dealings?” Gibbs asked in a horrified whisper.
Benjamin pinched the brow of his nose, and Helena saw no one was going to defend the Moores on that ground. Julia did not know what to say, and Benjamin had had enough of the argument.
“Have you ever done business with the Duke of Bridstone or Lord Robert, Uncle?” Her question drew his attention. Slowly, he shook his head. “Then how do you know they do such ‘dodgy’ business practices as you put it?”
Gibbs hung his head again.
Helena felt eyes upon her, but by the time she turned to return Christopher’s strong stare, he had turned away again as if her look had burned him.
I wish your eyes would linger for longer.
She felt a great distance from him, despite the small space between them. If she’d had more courage, maybe she would have reached out to take his hand, but she had none left. Her fear that he might hate her had grown too strong.
“My Lord.” Lord Robert stepped forward now, moving to stand close behind Julia. “I know very well that my family are no great friends to you. We may not be the devils you fear we are, but neither have we exactly covered ourselves in glory. I’m sure my brother will agree with me when I point out that up until this betrothal, we made no effort to heal the rift. Did we, Christopher?”
“That I cannot deny.” Christopher’s tone was deep.
“I apologize for it,” Lord Robert declared with full heart. “As well as the Duke of Dunton’s blessing, I now seek to have yours too. I must pray that in time you will come to see how devoted to your niece I am, My Lord, and maybe you will also find that we need not be enemies.”
A quietness descended on the room for some time. Gibbs breathed heavily, and Benjamin sat down into the vacated chair by the fireplace, clearly exhausted.
“Yes, you are right.” Gibbs’ words surprised them all. Helena stood off the wall, and Benjamin sat so far forward in his seat, he was in danger of falling out of it. “Perhaps my brother was right. I have been both blind and deaf to all your attempts to heal these families.” He smiled sadly at Julia. “I hope you know I wanted the best for you. Even if —”
“You were a bumbling fool?” Benjamin called, filling in the gap.
“Yes, even though I was,” Gibbs acknowledged with a glance back at his brother. “I’m sorry, Julia.”
“I forgive you, Uncle.” Julia stepped toward Gibbs and kissed him on the cheek. He patted her hand in comfort.
“Then let us leave this place, for God’s sake,” Benjamin called and stood hurriedly. “I have no wish to think of this day ever again.” He pushed Gibbs to the side as he moved to stand in front of Lord Robert and Julia. “Might I suggest that we prepare the wedding for another day?”
