Page 34 of Always the Bridesmaid, Never the Duchess
“He is a horrible man,” the Dowager Duchess said. “I am just beside myself. This is all too much. Lady Pembrooke, can you escort me back to my room? I must lie down.”
“Of course.” Over her shoulder, the Dowager Viscountess gave Andrew a questioning look.
“Miss Avery is still an honorable woman,” he said.
Satisfied, the Dowager Viscountess of Pembrooke helped her friend down the hallway. Andrew grabbed Harry’s arm and pulled his cousin away from Lord Radford’s door. When Harry began to protest, Andrew growled and moved him down the hallway. “Not here.”
Fifteen minutes later, Andrew and Harry waited in the drawing room. Kate and Julia arrived with the Dowager Viscountess. A moment later, Lord Radford strode into the room.
“I think everyone should have a seat. Emotions are high and we need to be calm.” Andrew motioned his cousin to a chair as far away from Radford as possible.
Once everyone had been seated, Andrew said, “Miss Roves, I believe we need to hear from you. What were you doing in Lord Radford’s bed chamber?”
“I don’t know. I--” Her voice broke, and Julia’s eyes welled with tears. She shook her head. In a low voice, barely above a whisper, she said, “Marrying Harry would be a mistake.”
Harry started from his seat, but Andrew put a restraining hand on his cousin. “What do you mean, Miss Roves? You agreed to the marriage.”
Julia heaved a sigh and Kate reached over and held her friend’s hand. She looked up, her green eyes filled with regret. “I am sorry, Harry. I can’t marry you.” Harry clenched his jaw. If not for Andrew keeping a hand on his cousin’s shoulder, he would have dashed across the room and hit Radford. Andrew squeezed his cousin’s shoulder.
“I don’t care about your indiscretion, Julia. We will wed.” Harry bit out the words.
“But I don’t love you,” Julia said, her voice sad.
“I don’t care. Love will come with time. Besides, you have made a fool of yourself with Lord Radford. No other man will want you. You would be smart to marry me before the rest of the guests hear of your deceit.” Harry’s voice was cold. His face was as hard as marble and his eyes glittered menacingly at Julia.
Kate gasped. No matter what Julia had done in a momentary lapse of judgment, Harry’s words were harsh and cruel. Andrew turned to her and gave a slight shake of his head.
“Cousin, you should not speak to Miss Roves in such a manner.”
“Just leave, Radford. You have taken your pound of flesh,” Harry said, bitterness wound through every word. “Was it your plan all along to dishonor Julia as payment for my gambling debt?”
Lord Radford barked out a laugh. “Not at all. It was an opportunity that presented itself and I took it. I shall take my leave in the morning before dawn.” Before anyone could say anything else, Lord Radford stood and strode out of the room. His footsteps echoed in the room long after his departure. Everyone was quiet, unsure of who should speak.
The Dowager Viscountess cleared her throat. “I fear that the gossip will be untenable, Julia. It was foolish of you to throw away your marriage to Harry for a brief indiscretion with a rake like Lord Radford. I have no idea what I will say to your parents tomorrow.”
Julia sobbed. “I am sorry. I—”
“It doesn’t matter. As I said, we will still marry and that will stop the gossip.” Harry’s voice was firm.
“I don’t wish to marry you,” Julia said. Despite her tears, she lifted her chin. “I don’t love you. I am sorry, Harry, but I don’t.”
“I have done too much to get you to be my wife. You will not abandon me now.” Harry said. He shook off Andrew’s arm.
“What do you mean, Harry? What have you done?” Andrew said. His suspicion began to grow.
Harry scoffed. “I simply put a flea in someone’s ear and let the rest take care of itself. I have loved Julia for too long to allow her to marry someone like Nicholas Avery.”
Kate gasped. She had found her culprit.
Chapter Fifteen
“You!” Kate leaped from her chair. She pointed her finger at Harry and said, “You ruined my brother’s reputation and destroyed his engagement to Julia.”
Harry scowled and shrugged one shoulder. “And what if I did? If Julia had truly cared for your brother, she would have stood by his side. She has revealed her fickle nature with her betrothal to me and her dalliance with Lord Radford. I did your brother a favor.”
Kate felt fury rise in her and her ears grew hot. She tried to speak, but only managed to sputter, “Oh! You… you cad!”
Andrew put a restraining hand on her lest she slap the Earl of Winfield on his smug face. Her fingers itched to do it, but an admonishing look from her grandmother stopped her. She sat back down next to Julia.
