Page 59 of A Bride for the Forbidden Duke
“And treats you well?”
“Indeed,” she said. Her hands ran down the top of her skirt, smoothing it down. “He treats me well.”
“Good,” Judith said.
“But Mama, how are you?”
In the weeks she had been gone, Veronica noticed that her mother had aged even more than she had than when she was dealing with Lord Barwicke. Her eyes were tired, her hair streaked through with more gray, aging her beyond her fifty years.
“I am well,” her mother answered, and Veronica wondered if the morning room was to be full of pretty answers that morning that did not display any sort of true nature.
By now, Veronica could tell when her mother did not answer her truthfully, but Judith did not always detect Veronica.
“And Lord Barwicke,” she said, knowing she would need to be the one to bring him up, “he has left you alone?”
“He… has. He attempted to gain entry into the house the night of your wedding, knowing I was alone, of course, but our neighbors heard the commotion and came to my aid. He has not returned since, and I do not believe he shall. The last I heard there were some… well-placed rumors around Dalton Square, squandering his honor.”
“Oh, my,” Veronica muttered. “I wondered who planted those.”
Judith shrugged delicately. “I do not know.”
The two shared a knowing glance over their teacups as they drank.
“Are you truly happy, Veronica?” Judith asked, sighing. “I have the sense that there is more to your life you are not speaking of.”
“I am perfectly content, Mama,” Veronica assured her. Yet she did not know who she lied to convince: herself or her mother. “I even met with Lady Sheridan, His Grace’s aunt, the other day. So, we are becoming well-acquainted as husband and wife.”
Judith frowned. “But did you not say you could not take visitors?”
Veronica paused but recovered quickly. “She arrived before the redecorating began.”
Her mother’s mouth tightened, unconvinced. Lady Sheridan knew of the Duke’s temper; Judith was not so prepared. He had been blunt and direct with her when he informed Judith of their wedding, and that had taken her mother aback enough. Veronica did not want him to be rude to her mother more than he already had been.
“You would tell me if you are unhappy, wouldn’t you, dearest?” Judith worried, biting her lip.
She reached for a small square of chocolate cake, clearly busying herself with munching, so she did not have to worry so blatantly.
“I would,” Veronica lied.
“Because if His Grace is… treating you unfairly, I wish to know. For I cannot help feeling it would be my fault if you were now wed to a terrible man.”
“Mama, I assure you, he is not terrible, and I am not unhappy. His Grace is honest, to a very sharp point at times perhaps, but he is not unkind to me. Do not blame yourself for anything.”
“But if I had simply been able to endure Lord Bar?—”
“Mama,” Veronica said suddenly, “please do not speak in such ways. Lord Barwicke was trying to ruin both you and me. Do not think that you should have endured him. He never should have meddled in our affairs or begin to blackmail you at all.”
“But if the Duke hurts you…”
“He will not,” Veronica said. “We have a pleasant life out in the countryside that you do not need to worry about.” She gave her mother an extra soft smile. “Now, you must tell me if you got a new cook because these cakes are truly delicious.”
It was a simple enough topic that swayed her mother. And as her mama chattered happily, Veronica tried to drink more tea todistract herself from the guilt of lying to her mama in order to secure her comfort in her daughter’s future.
“Oh!” Judith said. “Evelina wished to visit you, as well. I was really hoping that I may accompany her to visit Westley Manor, so if you manage to finish the redecoration soon, perhaps we can visit together.”
Veronica’s throat closed up. “I would like that.”
The Duke shall never allow it.
