Page 83 of Unmasking a Wicked Marquess
“I’m the one who should say it. I’m the one who threw him out of my house,” Robert said as he thrust a hand against his chest. “It’s only right I make some amends.”
“Well, I suppose it’s a start,” the Duke of Lantham said begrudgingly as he followed behind him.
“I said I was sorry.” Robert halted on the track and turned to face him.
“I know, I know.” The duke raised his hand, walking to meet him. “Maybe if I had just explained myself to you all those years ago rather than just being angry at the insult and actually attempted to prove my innocence, then we wouldn’t be in this mess for so long.”
“What is going on?” Juliet whispered to Edward.
“I have absolutely no idea,” he muttered. They both looked at each other, clearly realizing they were clinging onto one another rather tightly with their fathers in front of them.
“Well, this hardly improves my reputation, does it?”
Juliet smiled, for she hardly cared what his reputation was. She knew the true Edward now, and he loved her.
“Let me speak to him, please,” Robert begged the duke, who nodded somewhat reluctantly. “As for you, Lord Ashton …” He paused and turned to face Edward. “You’re not married to my daughter yet, so soften your hold a little.”
“Yet?” Edward and Juliet said in time with one another as they loosened their hold and clasped one another’s hands.
“If we did not get our blessings, I think Cecily and Amelia would have both of our throats,” the duke explained as he walked up to stand in front of him. “We have discovered some things this morning,” he said in a low tone. “Turns out an old groomsman of mine who took umbridge when I fired him concocted the argument as revenge on me for letting him go.”
He sighed deeply and looked uneasily in Robert’s direction. “I should have known there was something rotten in my own stable. I let the man go in the first place because he wasn’t kind enough to the animals. Anyway, we know now the truth of the matter. And we are going to forgive each other.” He glanced at Robert once more. “Even if it’s not quite the easiest thing to do.”
“We’re going to try,” Robert said with a sad sort of smile, then looked at Juliet and Edward together. “And we give our blessings. You two are not to run off to Gretna Green or anywhere else to elope. You can be married here, for your mothers both want a big wedding.”
“But …” Edward began, looking uncertain. “What of my reputation, My Lord? Wasn’t that one of the reasons you threw me out of your house this morning?”
“Apparently, I’m a gullible prat,” Robert said with a grumpy tone.
“You don’t hear me disagreeing,” the duke said, though he smiled a little as he said it, with the hint of a jest lingering.
“Travers came in to see us just as we were about to leave to come after you both. It seems he overheard in town the person who was telling the scandal sheet writers about your poor reputation so as to sabotage you, Lord Ashton.” Robert grimaced. “It was Arthur.”
“Arthur?” Juliet muttered in outrage. Such anger in her body shifted towards the thought of Arthur, though it softened when she felt Edward’s thumb brush the back of her hand gently.
“Do not think on it,” the duke urged. “We can sort out the scandal sheets, maybe even get them to print an apology for publishing lies. Just promise us this: no running off to Gretna Green. You will be married in a church here, with all of us there.” He pointedly gestured to Robert at his side.
“Please, Juliet,” Robert added softly. “Let me give you away at the church.
The kindness of the words made Juliet step forward, releasing Edward and moving to her father. She raised herself on her toes and kissed him on the cheek.
“Thank you, Father. Then we shall be married here.”
Epilogue
One Month Later
Music sounded from the church as Juliet stepped out of the door. With Edward beside her, clutching one of her hands, she held her bouquet in the other, smiling greatly as flower petals were thrown into the air. All around the churchyard, their family and friends had gathered.
Together, standing on one side, were Amelia and Cecily. They were so happy, so close once again that to Juliet’s mind, it was almost as if the nineteen years apart hadn’t passed at all. They both threw flower petals into the air with jollity, calling out happily as they did so.
Behind them stood Philip and Robert together. Their reconciliation may have been a little rocky at times, as was only natural, but as Philip made some sort of jest and Robert laughed, Juliet knew they were on the path to happiness once again.
“Who knew, eh?” Edward whispered in Juliet’s ear, clearly noticing the same thing she had done with their fathers. He raised her hand and kissed the back. “Come, let us get back to the house before the wedding breakfast can begin. I want some time alone with you first.”
She nodded, giggling happily, and went with him. They passed their sisters with their husbands, where Jane was delightedly telling everyone about how Violet was the mastermind behind it all, and there may not have been a wedding if it wasn’t for her.
Toward the edge of the churchyard stood Meg and Travers together, who waved happily to Juliet. Meg had long been forgiven for her part in the affair that happened so long ago, and Juliet was simply glad she had agreed to come to the wedding.
