Page 94 of The Earl Takes All
“I did.”
With a brusque nod, which Edward took as a sign of approval, his longtime friend walked over to the sideboard and splashed scotch into two glasses. He handed Edward one. “How did she take it?”
“As you predicted. Her heart shattered, she wished me dead, and she went into mourning.”
“That could not have been pleasant for either of you, but being forthright is always the least complicated path. I suppose your next step is to dispatch a letter to theTimes.”
“No, actually.” Edward took a long slow swallow of the scotch, holding Ashe’s gaze the entire time. “My next step is to tell you to keep what you know to yourself.”
Ashe angled his head thoughtfully, his mouth pressed into a hard, firm line. “I beg your pardon?”
“I love her, and she loves me. We’re going to continue on as we have been, with people believing Edward is dead and I am Albert.”
“Have you gone mad?”
“Our positions in Society prevent us from going off to some parish where we’re not known and getting married. We are known among the nobility. Good God, we’re known among royalty. The only way we can have a marriage that is not questioned is if Albert remains alive. Tell me that I’m mistaken.”
“But you’re not Albert. This is not legitimate; you’re not legally wed.”
“No one other than you, Locke, Marsden, Julia, and I will ever know that.”
Ashe spun around, paced halfway across the room, stopped, turned back. “If even one person should suspect—”
“No one ever will. Why would they? Why would anyone suspect I am not Albert? The entire notion is ludicrous—that I would pretend to be my brother. That Edward would want as his wife a woman he abhorred. Why would anyone even postulate such a scenario as Edward not being the one laid to rest in the vault at Evermore? I’m the legitimate heir, Ashe. There is no reason for this ruse other than keeping at my side the woman I love. Who is harmed by us going on as we have been for a little over half a year already? I submit that we will cause more harm if the truth is revealed.”
Ashe dropped into a chair, hung his head. “Are you certain you love her?”
“It is the one thing I am completely, entirely certain of. And I love her with all my heart. Will you deny us a lifetime of love because of a stupid law?”
He looked up. “We could work to get it changed.”
“How long will that take? What if we have children before the law is changed? Do we deny ourselves each other’s company? Would you tell Minerva, ‘Someday we will be together but not now’?”
“Damn you.”
Edward realized he should have asked him that question in the beginning. It was no secret that Ashe adored his wife, would do anything to have her.
Ashe stood. “If you love her even half as much as I love Minerva...”
Edward was willing to wager his entire fortune that he loved Julia as much as Ashe loved Minerva—if not more.
The Duke of Ashebury raised his glass. “Edward, I wish you and Julia all the happiness in the world. You’ll have my silence, and from this moment forth I will recognize you as Grey. I pray to God that you have better luck keeping your secrets than I had keeping mine.”
Edward tossed back his scotch, ignoring the shiver of foreboding that skittered up his spine.
“Don’tlook so terrified, Julia.”
Perched atop her horse, at the entrance to Hyde Park, she glanced over at Edward. “I feel as though I’m wearing a huge sign that reads ‘Imposter.’”
“You’re not the imposter. I am.” He said it so casually, with such ease, as though he wasn’t at all bothered, but then he had been ensconced in the role for a good long while now.
“I’m afraid I’ll give us away.”
“We’ve exchanged vows. I’m your husband as much as I can be your husband. Remember that. And remember that I love you to distraction.”
She held out her hand. When he placed his within it, she squeezed hard. “I love you as well. So much. Bearing witness to our devotion to each other, people will surely not suspect the truth.”
“I promise you that no one is looking for Edward.”
