Page 2 of Her Rogue to Kiss Good Morning
“You must rest,” Juliet said gently, placing a hand over Clara’s.“The mind cannot mend if the body is worn and exhausted.Tomorrow we will take the first steps toward righting this wrong.You will see, my dear sister, there is always a way forward.”
Clara gave a small, weary nod, though the knot of anxiety in her chest loosened slightly.“I pray you are right.”
Juliet’s eyes, bright with unshakable resolve, met her own.“I assure you that I am.There are always allies, Clara, more than you imagine.You must trust that the world is not as cruel as it sometimes seems, and that those who love you will not abandon you.”Her mother didn’t seem capable of love, but at least she could count on her sister.
The fire crackled, throwing dancing shadows across the room, and for a moment, the sisters sat in silence, comforted by the quiet companionship and the unspoken promise that they would face whatever came together.
“Thank you, Juliet,” Clara whispered, a tear escaping despite her best effort.“I was so afraid I would have to face this alone.”
“You are never alone,” Juliet said firmly.“You have me, and you will have others, too.But for now, do not fret.Let the fire chase away the chill, and let your heart gather strength for what is to come.”
Clara exhaled slowly, feeling the tension in her body ease, if only slightly.Though her past missteps weighed heavily upon her, she realized she had not been entirely without guidance or compassion.With Juliet at her side, there was hope.Perhaps, she thought with the faintest glimmer of courage, she could reclaim some measure of her dignity—and, in time, her life.
As the night drew on, the two sisters remained by the fire, talking softly of the past, of shared memories and Juliet told Clara more about her husband.The more she heard the more she liked the duke.He seemed like a good man and though Clara’s path was far from clear, the warmth of family and the promise of guidance made the darkness less frightening.For the first time in weeks, she allowed herself to believe that, even in the aftermath of tragedy, there could be light.
With Juliet’s hand resting over hers, a steadfast anchor in the storm, Clara felt the first stirrings of hope.Perhaps, in time, she could find her place in the world once more, and she fully intended never to marry again.Once was enough for her and it had proved a disastrous decision.She would gladly remain a widow for the rest of her days.It seemed far more prudent than ever placing her life in another man’s hands again…
One
The familiar chill of an English morning greeted Grant Oliver, the Viscount of Oakwood as he descended from the carriage at the gates of Sinbrough House.Years abroad had dulled little of the awe that always accompanied the sight of grand estates, but for Grant, the beauty of his cousin’s home was almost incidental.His thoughts were heavy with memories of a mother lost too soon, of a father more absent in life than in spirit, and of the burden he had reluctantly assumed at the tender age of eight and ten.The estates he had left to stewards all those years ago were secure, at least in name, yet he felt little desire to reclaim the life they represented—at least not fully.Mostly he did not wish to cross paths with his father.The last time he had seen the Earl of Lyonsdale, his estranged father, he had told him that he would never speak to him again.He fully intended to keep that promise.But that had not been the only promise he had made or the most important one.Just the one that sat bitterly in his stomach.But he had to honor one promise he had made no matter what.It was time to return home even if it meant he might see his father again.
He had made that promise to his mother, and that promise alone would be enough to tether him to England despite the call of foreign lands and adventures that had long soothed his restless spirit after losing her.He could no longer ignore what he needed to do.Now, returning in earnest, he sought neither grand fanfare nor the stifling comfort of familial obligations.His father, if he had noticed the absence of his only son all these years, had shown nothing of it.Even when he had told the man how disgusted he had been with him it had been evident what his father would do with is life.The earl preferred the warm embrace of a bottle of brandy to the weight of responsibility or the love of his wife or son.
Grant adjusted the gloves at his wrist and drew the collar of his coat closer against the crisp morning air.Winter might have faded away to spring but it still had a tether on the chilly London day.His destination was not the ancestral home that should have been his by right, but rather Sinbrough House itself, where his cousin, the Duke of Sinbrough, held dominion—and perhaps a measure of wisdom that could temper Grant’s own tumultuous thoughts.Sinbrough led a decadent lifestyle, but he had always been a confidant of his.Now that he was home, he hoped the duke would offer some sage advice on how he should proceed with the earl.Their mothers had been sisters and both had died far too young.It had been something that Grant and Sinbrough had bonded over—even if Grant was five years Sinbrough’s junior.He was like the older brother Grant had never had.
He lifted his hand and rapped the knocker across the door.Not long afterward it opened to reveal Sinbrough’s butler.Grimms had been with the duke for as long as Grant could remember.He never smiled and was always completely composed.“My lord,” he said.“It’s been a while.”
Grant’s lips twitched as he fought a smile.“It’s good to see you too, Grimms.Is he home?”
“His Grace is in his study,” Grimms told him.“Please come in.I am certain he will be glad to see that you have returned to England.”
“Perhaps,” Grant said.“If he isn’t busy with other entertainments.”
“His Grace rarely entertains these days.”Grimms shut the door after Grant entered.“Her Grace would not approve.”
“Her Grace?”Grant lifted a brow.Sinbrough had married?Well…that was different and quite unexpected.He had not thought the duke would ever marry and if he did it would not be for several years in the future—once he had finally believed he would need an heir for the title.Though even then Grant had doubted his cousin would settle down with one woman.It had not seemed in his nature to do so.
“Yes,” Grimms confirmed.“The duke wed this past winter.Her Grace is quite lovely.”
“Of course,” Grant said.“I would never doubt that Sinbrough would marry a woman that wasn’t beautiful.”
“Her Grace is beautiful,” Grimms confirmed.“But that isn’t what I meant.She’s an extraordinary woman.”
“I’m certain she is…” Who was this paragon that his cousin had married.He had to meet her.“I will go speak with His Grace now.I was wonderful to see you again Grimms.”With that he left the butler alone in the foyer.He knew the way to the duke’s study.He had visited this house on more than one occasion and had often attended some of Sinbrough’s infamous masquerades.They were always filled with incessant debauchery.It had been a good time and many individuals left completely sated from the pleasure they had experienced.Grant had enjoyed himself when he had attended but it had been many, many years since he had.
He strolled toward the duke’s study and stopped outside the open door.He lifted his hand and rapped the doorframe with his knuckles.The duke was bent over a ledger on is desk and did not even bother to look up.“What is it Grimms,” he asked.
“Grimms is otherwise occupied I believe,” Grant replied smoothly.“I do hope I am not interrupting anything important.”
Sinbrough glanced up and stared up at Grant.He blinked a few times almost as if he didn’t believe what he was seeing.Then his lips turned upward slowly into a smile.“Hello cousin,” he drawled.“I did not think you would ever return.”
Grant smiled back at him.“I did not wish to honestly.”He would much rather continue to travel but yet, here he was—back in England.“But it was time.”
“Well, I am glad that you have returned.”He leaned back in his chair.“Does this mean that you are ready to take over the care of your estate?”
“Not really,” he said.“But I have run away from my responsibilities long enough.The stewards you helped me hire have done a wonderful job, but I made a promise.Now I have to actually fulfill it.”
“Good.”He met Grant’s gaze.“Aunt Eleanor would be proud of you.”
