A Duke By Any Other Name

Chapter Two

T wo days later, Sebastian stepped into the secluded glen at the edge of his family estate, his heart quickening as he scanned the landscape. The late afternoon sun dappled the moss-covered stones with light, and the soft murmur of a nearby brook intertwined with the earthy scents of soil and greenery, creating a tranquil harmony.

His heart carried both hope and doubt, a fragile balance that rested on the answer to one question: Would she come?

This secluded glen, far from the burdens of duty, had always been his refuge. Here, away from titles and obligations, he could simply be a man—not a Harcourt burdened by history, but himself. Now, he was a man captivated—drawn to a woman forbidden because of the history between their families.

The thought of Lady Juliana sent a rush of warmth through him, softening the sharp edges of his worries. He could still picture the glimmer of her emerald eyes behind the mask, and hear the lilt of her laughter. The memory of their waltz lingered, not with regret but with longing—a longing to know her beyond the boundaries their families had erected.

What madness had overtaken him, seeking a woman his family would never accept? Yet, he understood that losing her would be a far greater madness.

A sharp snap of a twig broke his reverie. He turned, his breath hitching as auburn hair glinted in the sunlight. Emerging from the woods, Lady Juliana was every bit the enchantress, her powder-blue gown an elegant defiance against the untamed wilderness.

“Lady Juliana,” he began, his voice reverent and tinged with relief.

“Lord Alton,” she replied, balancing formality and warmth.

For a moment, neither moved. The air between them thrummed with unspoken words, tension, and something deeper. Sebastian fought the urge to step closer, to bridge the distance and take her hand. Her cheeks flushed, and she fidgeted with the folds of her gown, betraying her own unease.

“I received your letter,” she began, her voice steady despite the faint tremor beneath.

He exhaled, relief coursing through him. “I am grateful you came. I feared you might not.”

Her gaze met his, her eyes bright with defiance and curiosity. “I debated it,” she admitted. “But in the end, I found myself unable to resist.”

“As did I,” Sebastian confessed, his lips curving into a small, genuine smile. “And now, here we are.”

Her lips quirked upward, amusement flickering across her face. “Indeed, here we are, my lord. Though I confess, I am not entirely certain what we aim to achieve.”

He chuckled, the sound rich and warm. “Nor am I. But I could not let the connection we shared slip away without attempting to understand it. Perhaps, for now, we simply talk.”

“Talk? How delightfully ordinary. Shall we begin with the weather, or would you prefer a critique of London’s latest fashions?”

His laughter rang out, genuine and unrestrained, filling the glen. “I fear I would embarrass myself terribly in such discussions. My knowledge of fashion extends only to ensuring my cravat is properly tied.”

Her eyes sparkled with humor. “Oh, but you excel at that, my lord. Beau Brummell himself might envy such precision.”

He flushed faintly at her teasing praise. “Your wit, my lady, would leave even the great Brummell speechless.”

The playful mood shifted, her expression softening. “If only wit could mend the rift between our families,” she lamented.

“Indeed.” Sebastian’s chest tightened. “I have often wondered how it all began. Do you know the story?”

She shook her head, auburn curls catching the sunlight. “Only whispers of betrayal and insult, nothing concrete. Though, I do recall hearing of old letters and records,” she mused. “Perhaps they hold some clue to the truth of it all.”

“Perhaps, though I would wager no one has seen them.” He scowled. “It seems we carry on this hatred without truly understanding its origin.”

Juliana’s gaze hardened, a spark of defiance lighting her eyes. “How absurd,” she muttered, “to inherit a hatred as though it were some bitter heirloom.”

Admiration swelled within him at her courage. “I’ve thought the same,” he murmured. “Though I have never dared to speak it aloud.”

Her lips curved into a small, conspiratorial smile. “Until now.”

“Until now,” he echoed, his heart swelling with hope. “I find myself willing to defy it all in order to be near you.”

She smiled. “Odd that.”

Their conversation drifted to lighter topics as they wandered through the glen, stepping carefully over mossy stones and brushing past wildflowers. When Juliana spoke of her love for art, her enthusiasm was infectious.

“Landscapes have always held my heart,” she gushed, gesturing animatedly. “They hold such unspoken beauty, capturing moments words could never fully express.” She nodded toward the horizon, where a patch of wildflowers gave way to the skyline. “There is something special that cannot be found anywhere else.”

Sebastian nodded, captivated by the light in her eyes. “Though my talent is meager, I find solace in painting. It offers me a glimpse of life beyond the confines of expectation.”

Her expression brightened. “We are more alike than I imagined, my lord.”

“As are our dreams, perhaps,” he ventured. “Dreams of a life unbound by an ancient feud and hatred we cannot justify.”

The sun dipped lower, casting the glen in a golden haze. Juliana paused, her gaze distant. “It feels cruel,” she lamented, “to find such a connection only to be constrained by the chains of the past.”

Sebastian’s chest tightened. “Perhaps it is time to break those chains.”

Her gaze snapped to his, her eyes wide with hope and fear. “Sebastian…” she breathed, the sound of his name on her lips thrilling him.

His hand brushed hers, a fleeting contact that sent a jolt through them both. The world held its breath as he stepped closer, his gaze searching hers for permission.

He reached for her, his hand trembling as it cupped her cheek. “Juliana.”

Their kiss was both a vow and a surrender, tender yet searing with unspoken longing. Juliana wove her fingers into his hair, anchoring them in the moment.

This is madness,” she cried, her voice trembling with fear and exhilaration.

Sebastian smiled, brushing a strand of hair from her face. “Perhaps,” he admitted. “But some risks are worth taking.”

“But we must be cautious,” she said, though her eyes still shone with the light of their shared moment.

“Indeed,” he agreed, though the word felt like a bitter promise. “But also steadfast.”

He lifted her hand to his lips, pressing a lingering kiss to her knuckles before she slipped into the shadows of the forest. Her smile and fiery gaze remained with him, a brand upon his very soul.