Page 59 of An Accidental Bride for the Duke
So, she stood there, watching after Philip and Percy as they left together. This did not change how she felt about Philip. It did not change the decision she had come to—at least not inthe grand scheme of things. Rather, it made her wonder if her marriage to Philip was in the place she needed it to be.
How could they have the marriage that she wanted if he would not be open with her? And worse than that, when he found out that she had been lying to him about what she did and didn’t know, would he care? Or would he see it as a betrayal?
So many questions. No answers to be found. Despite what she wanted to do, Iris realized in that moment that before they took that next more wonderful step, she and Philip would need to talk. And it was a conversation to which she could not guess how it might end.
And that alone should tell me exactly how far this marriage has really come.
Chapter Nineteen
“Where are you going?” Percy called after Philip.
“Where do you think!” Philip strode across the room, each step falling heavy on the floorboards.
“Philip!” Percy was up, hurrying after him. “Don’t. Please…”
At the door, Philip was about to throw it open and storm out. The only thing that gave him pause was the pleading of his brother. Hand around the door handle, he gripped it tight but couldn’t bring himself to open it.
“They can’t treat you like this,” Philip growled, back still to his brother. “They need to understand that there are consequences for their actions.”
“Consequences?” Percy came in behind him, resting a hand on his shoulder. “Such as?”
Philip was still shaking with anger. Fury engulfing his entire body as if he might set the world on fire. It had been months now since his brother was last home, and longer than that since he’d dared to visit the local village. Long enough that Philip had almost forgotten just how horrid the people who lived there could be.
They are worse than I remember. Evil, twisted, and cruel people who think it is safe to punch down on my brother because he is not a lord. I can’t let them get away with this!
“I don’t know,” Philip admitted through gritted teeth. “But I will think of something.”
“It is not worth it.”
“How can you say that!”
Percy sighed. “Philip, if you spent all your free time trying to protect me from those who sought to insult or upset me, then I fear you would have no time for yourself. Truly, it would be a full-time job.”
Philip released the door handle and turned to face his brother. “What… what does that mean? Who else?” he demanded. “Who else has said…” He trailed off when he saw the look in his brother’s eyes, one that was dismissive because the answer was that obvious. “Eton…”
“Right in one.”
Philip groaned. “Percy. Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Tell you?” Percy laughed. “Tell you what, exactly? That I am not as respected as you and Robert were? That the only reason I was accepted into Eton in the first place is because of who my brother is, which you always knew, Philip. Do not act as if this a surprise.”
Philip winced. “I knew they were not happy about it. But I assumed that once they accepted you, and once they saw you for themselves, that they would realize…” He shook his head to himself. “I am not even sure.”
“You see me through the eyes of a brother,” Percy said. “Which isn’t your fault. But the reality is the rest of the world does not have that privilege.”
Philip felt like a great big fool.
When he insisted that Percy attend Eton College, the rebuke from the esteemed learning institute was severe and harsh. But Philip, always the stubborn one, refused to take no for an answer. In his eyes, Percy was his blood, as deserving as anyone else, and the type that once you got to know it could not be denied how intelligent and kind and worthy he was.
Deep down, he had always known it would be hard for his younger brother. He supposed he just chose to ignore that truth, hoping that he was being overly protective and there was no need for concern.
“I am sorry, Percy,” Philip sighed, letting his shoulders falls. “I… I want to say I did not realize, but that is only half true.”
“It is fine, brother.” Percy gave Philip’s arm a gentle squeeze. “And truly, it is not as bad as you might think. Yes, some of the other boys are a tad harsh to me…” He laughed as if he had said something funny. “But not all of them. I have made good friends, and the opportunities this school will give me are unmatched. What are a few hard years if the price is worth it?”
Philip forced a smile. This was why he loved his brother. That ability he had to always see the good in something was a skill that Philip greatly lacked.He is a better man than I in almost every way. I just wish the rest of the world could see it.
“That your peers treat you like that is one thing,” Philip said. “But to be spoken down to by some local villagers…” He sneered at the thought. “They need to be made to realize that they cannot speak to you like that. It is not right.”
