Only Marriage Will Do (16 page)

Oh dear. Just what she had not wanted to happen. She had so hoped a letter could reach him before he became so worried.

“Please, Juliet.” He seemed to be hanging by a hair. “For the love of God, tell me who this man is so I can make him marry you.”

The anger in his voice brought her up short. What would he do to Amiable?

“Duncan, we are already married.” She smiled and showed him her ring in hopes that reassurance would lessen the punishment he would heap on her husband.

“What?” Duncan’s face paled. “You are married? But to whom, Juliet? Who have you married?”

“She married me, my lord.” Amiable, attired elegantly in navy blue and buff, had entered bearing a tea tray.

Oh, thank God. She sped to his side and took his arm. His light hair glinted in the waning afternoon light and his blue eyes locked on Duncan’s. Her brother took a step toward them, anger suffusing his face.

Before either man could act, Katarina’s eyes widened, her mouth dropped open, and she took a step toward them. “Amiable! Amiable Dawson. What the devil are you doing here?”

Duncan’s head swiveled to stare at his wife. “Dawson? This is the army captain you were running away to marry? And now he claims to be married to my sister?”

Juliet sucked in breath, horrified at the black rage enveloping Duncan’s face. She’d never dreamed Katarina and Amiable’s former relationship would infuriate her brother so. Riveted to the floor, she stared helplessly as Duncan strode toward Amiable. She clutched her husband’s arm, but he shook it off and advanced toward her brother. Like two rams about to lock horns.

Katarina, however, waded in-between the two incensed men, stopping both with looks of cold contempt.

“Duncan, Amiable. Hold where you are or by God you will both feel my anger this day.” She glared at her husband, although she tempered the look with something akin to tenderness.

What an interesting development.

Kat then swung her piercing gaze to Amiable.

Juliet’s heart leapt into her throat. Katarina’s face still displayed both anger and affection but for
her
husband this time. Did the warmth shine more evident? The claws of jealousy sank into her heart.

“But Katarina…” Duncan tried to edge his way around his wife.

“No buts, my dear. I will not have either Juliet or myself put under this strain. In our interesting conditions it must be detrimental to us.” She flashed a sympathetic smile at Juliet. “I am increasing as well, my dear, so I understand how trying this all is. We will put our heads together soon. For now, I think,” her eyes narrowed as she faced her husband, “go sit by the fire with your sister, Duncan, while I speak with Amiable.”

Kat turned a brilliant smile toward him. Juliet had to bite back a scream of
Leave my husband alone.
A foolish thought when they were both married and increasing. A miracle considering the state of her brother’s marriage before he sailed for Italy. Apparently, their strained relationship had resolved itself. However, old ties had a way of reuniting themselves. Her heart raced and her stomach clenched.

“Juliet, please sit down with your brother and explain what has taken place since you left London. Try to make it clear to him why he should not kill your husband.” She led Juliet to her chair before the fire and sat her down. “Amiable, my dear, come with me.” Her smile broadened as she took his arm and steered him to a sofa across the room.

For the first time Juliet regretted not learning to ply a sword. She shook off her foreboding and motioned Duncan toward Amiable’s chair across from her.

He scowled as he sat, but Juliet disregarded it, distracted by the murmur of voices behind her. What confidences were they sharing? What reminisces? When she married Amiable, it had escaped her that he would be brought into close contact with Katarina. The situation simply did not bear thinking about. She forced her attention back to her brother, bent on explanations before he could chastise her.

“I have seen the papers from St. Cyr.”

She stopped cold. Her mouth dried so quickly her tongue stuck to the roof of her mouth. She had to peel it loose before she managed to ask, “You did?”

His scowl darkened, worse than anything she’d ever seen. “He came to the house three days before we left to come here. He’s been in hiding since the day you saw him. His father returned to England in search of him so he left London for Bath.”

There had never been any pursuit of her. Juliet shook her head, recalling her fear in the early days of their journey and her recent fear they’d been discovered. Thank God, Philippe wasn’t pursuing her. She closed her eyes and breathed deeply, relaxing for the first time since Duncan had appeared.

“So why are you concerned with these papers, Duncan?” She smiled, smug in her knowledge. “Is he still spouting lies that I am married to him? He has no claim. You revoked the proxy. It could not be used.”

“Yes, I revoked it, Juliet. Regrettably, until his father received my letter rescinding it, there existed a window of opportunity in which the papers could have been legitimately used. This is what St. Cyr claims happened.” Duncan glanced over at his wife and brother-in-law. His frown deepened.

“You told me the proxy marriage was only valid in France. In England I am not married to him even if the papers are not false.” She raised her chin. On that point, she remained certain.

“True.” Duncan gathered her hands into his. “However, St. Cyr’s attorney brings up an interesting point. For all that the Hardwicke Act states both parties must stand together before a clergyman, it does not specifically state proxy marriages are invalid. The marriage performed in France, in accordance with the laws of that country, is valid and legally binding in that country. He further argues a proxy marriage is a matter of the form of the ceremony, which is not essential to the marriage itself. Kings and princes have availed themselves of proxy ceremonies, so that particular
form
is not abhorrent to the ideals of a Christian church. Therefore, if a marriage is valid where it is performed, a court might find it a valid marriage here as well.”

Light wavered into darkness and the walls rushed in to crush her. “You cannot mean I may be married to…” She couldn’t breathe. Duncan gripped her hands.

“We know nothing for certain. I have my attorney studying both the marriage certificate and the law statutes.” He sighed. “If there is a way to deny the claim, Grimes will find it. However, if St. Cyr ever got you to France, there would be no question.”

He nodded toward the couple in the corner. “To compound the matter, you have gone and tied yourself to this Captain Dawson.” His frown deepened. “Juliet, what were you thinking?”

Juliet pulled her hands away and met his scornful tone with one of her own. “I was thinking, Duncan, that I had fallen in love with a man who is kind and capable and brave and resourceful. A man who had the presence of mind to save me from St. Cyr, not even knowing who I was or what he had stumbled into.”

Her strength flagged and she slumped in her chair. Too many emotions swirled around her. She couldn’t cope with any more. Duncan must see reason.

“A man who has made me feel as safe as you have, if not safer. I love him Duncan,” she blurted out, tears trickling down her cheeks. “And he loves me. That’s all I’ve ever really wanted, someone who will love me no matter what.”

“Juliet. Calm yourself.” He took her hand and gave a comforting squeeze. “Lord, now he’s looking over here. I smell a challenge brewing.”

She turned in time to see Amiable rise to his feet. It boded well that he would leave Kat to come to her rescue. Katarina’s firm hand hauled him back beside her, but the gesture had been made. She settled down and returned her attention to her brother, whose attitude had not improved.

“He’s a captain in the army, Juliet. Do you intend to follow the drum with him?”

“Of course not, Duncan.” She sniffed into her handkerchief. “He sold out before sailing for England.”

“Ah, so he’s an ex-army captain. How does he intend to support you? I assume he’s a second son to some gentry. Will he now go into law or some such thing?”

The contempt in Duncan’s voice infuriated her. Her tears dried instantly as she leapt to defend her husband.

“Second son, yes. Now only son. His elder brother died earlier this year. That’s the reason he returned to England. That and to find Kat.”

The dark rage in Duncan’s face surfaced immediately. “I will deal with why he sought her out another time. So he’s now in line to inherit a manor house, perhaps? Enough to support you and your children, do you think?”

“I have no idea how big an estate his father has. His town house in London, though, is impressive.”

“Town house in London? When did you see…You went to his house?” She grabbed his arm as he shot up out of the chair.

“Sit down for God’s sake and stop acting like a fool. The day I left town, Glynis and I offered him a ride to his father’s town house. After his gallantry with Philippe, it seemed the least I could do. I saw the outside of the house, dear brother, no more.” She cocked her head at him. “You don’t know who he is?”

“How the devil would I know who he is? I’ve never met the man before.”

“Well, I thought you might recognize the family name. He’s the son, and now heir, of Lord Morley.” Juliet could not keep the triumph out of her voice. Quite a feather in her cap, really. Instead of stunned surprised, Duncan stared at her, a stricken look on his face.

“He claims to be Lord Morley’s son?”

“The younger son, Duncan. The elder one died.”

“Juliet, the baron’s family name is obviously not Dawson. I know of Lord Morley. I knew his son, though not well. Peaceable Morley.” Duncan squeezed her hands until they ached. “If this man says he is Morley’s son but his name is Dawson, he is either lying or illegitimate.” Duncan swore under his breath. “’Sblood, Juliet,
just who have you married
?”

She searched his eyes, but he wasn’t goading her or playing some hurtful game. With as much poise as she could muster, she answered from her sinking heart. “I married the man I love. I do not care if he a baron’s son or only Captain Dawson. I am sure Amiable will explain if you ask him.” She gripped his hands until hers ached. “I love him. He loves me. We belong together. I beg of you, do not make our marriage an issue.” She stared him in the eyes, willing him to understand her conviction. “Because if I have to choose between the two of you, though I love you dearly, I will choose him.”

“Juliet…”

“I mean it, Duncan.” She narrowed her eyes and released his hands. He would not win in this, no matter what he threatened.

He sighed and leaned back in the chair. “I am not the worst obstacle you have to face, my dear. Have you realized that? I am disturbed, to say the least, by your hasty and ill-considered marriage, although if he somehow turns out to be Morley’s son he would at least be an eligible
parti
. I will, of course, stand by you regardless.” His gaze softened. “How could I love you and not do so?”

A great weight lifted from her heart. “Thank you, Duncan.” Her throat seized and tears again moistened her eyes. Happy tears this time. She blinked them away. “If you are not the obstacle, though, what is?”

“St. Cyr, of course.”

“Philippe? That spurious marriage contract?” She waved her hand contemptuously.

He shook his head and sighed. “A court could find it valid. So if you were, in fact, already married to the viscount, then your marriage to Dawson is invalid.”

Oh, dear God. A numbing cold spread throughout her body.

He grasped her frozen hands and peered into her face. His eyes reflected her despair. “In that case, the authorities could charge you with bigamy.”

“Amiable, my dear. How do you come to be here? Married to my sister-in-law?” Katarina glowed, whether from her pregnancy or in delight at seeing him, Amiable couldn’t tell.

“It is a long story, Katarina, that starts, of course, with your letter.” He motioned toward her husband. “Was he the ‘circumstance’ your letter mentioned?”

Katarina blushed but nodded. “Our initial meeting proved less than amicable and I feared he would pursue me. Then I remembered your proposal, which seemed a godsend. So I persuaded Jack to allow me to return to Virginia on the strength of your promise. Though even you might not have welcomed me, considering how I would have looked at the end of the journey. If I had survived it at all.” At his bemused expression she laughed. “I am no kind of sailor at all, Amiable. I was wretchedly ill all the way to London. That is why Duncan and I did not make it to Italy. We had to turn back the second or third day out because of my seasickness.”

“My God. If you had come you would have arrived to find me gone to England. Pax died, you see, so I had to return home.”

“My dear, I am so sorry.” She grasped his hand and squeezed.

“Thank you.” He glanced down at her hand on his. Odd he felt nothing but its warmth. “I had left money for your passage with Colonel Weatherington, but you would have had to get back on a ship…”

“No.” She leaned back in her chair and shook her head, lips in a grim line. “I would have located my mother’s family in the Pennsylvania colony. I know I would not have survived an immediate journey back. However, fate, by the name of the Marquess of Dalbury, had other plans for me.” She spoke his name as though caressing him. Amiable sighed and disengaged their hands. Once he would have given anything for her to speak his name thus.

“I wondered, from your letter, what had happened to you when those villains attacked your carriage. I suspected you had…been compromised.” He looked deeply into her eyes. “You know I would have married you, Katarina? Without question or need for explanation?”

She flashed him a brilliant smile. “Yes, I knew. I told Jack as much. You have always had the instinct to protect. It’s what you do best. My flight to you, however, was a near thing in the end. I had actually boarded the ship bound for Virginia.”

“What happened?”

“Duncan bought the ship.”

Amiable stared at her. “He
bought
the ship?”