Surrender Becomes Her (Scandalous Brides #4)

Chapter 1

Chapter One

Ravenswood Palace was every bit as grand and imposing as Lady Laura Sweet remembered, but for all its opulence it was an utterly horrible place to live. Laura felt unwell as she drew closer. Yet she did not resist as her brother-in-law, Jasper, drew her on to take tea in the duke’s drawing room for a discussion long overdue.

Laura glanced down at her infant daughter in her arms, Isabelle, seeking reassurance in her tiny face that she’d made the right decision to come back now. She had already abandoned her sons to her husband and his family, and now she would be required to do so with Isabelle. But there hadn’t been a day when she’d not longed for her sons.

They had grown so much while she was away. Skipping innocently through Ravenswood’s hallowed halls ahead of her now. Liam did not remember her. Thomas might, not that he wanted to show it.

She knew what to expect. Shouting and a cold shoulder. Banishment in the end. Banishment she could live with. Being forced to stay and treated for her alleged illness she would not endure again.

Laura paused in the doorway of the drawing room and shivered as she heard footsteps following behind. “Nothing ever changes here.”

“It will be all right,” Jasper promised, giving her arm a brief squeeze.

No, it would not be. Her days here had been fraught with loneliness and despair. The old duke grew to dislike her and had not bothered to hide that fact. But he’d liked her dowry and pressed Nash to use it to fund his lavish excesses, while Nash scrimped on her and made her a virtual prisoner here.

Nash had been too preoccupied by the old duke’s business to provide any protection. He had never stood up to his father, and they had argued about how their children were being raised in near seclusion on the estate. She’d tried to convince Nash to take her and the children away from Ravenswood once, but he had refused to abandon his brothers and put his own family first.

She took a seat beside the fire and did not look around to see if her husband’s shuttered expression had changed at all from when she’d arrived.

The duke swept past her to stand at the mantelpiece. “Sister. It seems like only yesterday since you sat in that exact spot, brightening the room,” the Duke of Ravenswood murmured.

“I’m surprised anyone noticed I was gone,” she replied without bothering to hide her sarcasm. Only the physician the last duke paid to bleed her just so she could visit her children would have felt the loss—to his pocketbook—when she’d fled.

“We all felt your absence most keenly.” A softer smile appeared on the duke’s face as he regarded Isabelle again. “And as for this little one, Mama would have been pleased to know her family tradition continued, too. First-born daughters on her side were often called Isabelle.”

Laura frowned at him, confused by his buoyant mood. “I expected you would disapprove of my taking the honor from your children, Your Grace.”

“I’m sure you did, and I’m glad I could surprise you.” Ravenswood shrugged carelessly. “I dislike the habit of repeating given names, to be honest. It causes confusion. I hope my wife will concoct something original.”

Laura glanced around, expecting to see a duchess at any moment, but she, whoever she was, did not appear. “Congratulations, Your Grace,” she murmured.

“For what?”

“For making a marriage,” she said. “Jasper did not tell me the happy news.”

Ravenswood laughed heartily. “My dear sister, you are far too early to offer any congratulations.” His gaze turned aside, his eyes narrowed on Jasper and Mrs. Radcliffe, who sat close together. “I had set myself the task of marrying off my brothers first.”

“You did not,” Jasper protested. “It was only you we talked about getting leg-shackled.”

The duke nodded, and his gaze flickered toward the doorway. “And yet you all are married, or soon will be. We will discuss the date of your future nuptials in short order, Jasper.

Nash?”

Jasper stood up. “ If Sophie wants to be married quickly, then she shall decide when and where, and it will not be up to you or Nash.”

Ravenswood scowled at his younger brother, who was now standing with his arms about his future bride. “Where is Nash?”

“How should I know? I’m not his keeper.”

Laura shook her head. So, Nash had not bothered to join them. He must be truly vexed that she’d dared return. Well, he was going to be further stunned when he heard what she had come here to tell him.

She’d come back only to make their separation permanent.

Isabelle touched her face, and she smiled down at her beautiful child. The secret she’d kept from him. So precious, so trusting, so unaware yet that a father might never show her an ounce of affection.

She met the duke’s gaze. “I should express my condolences for the loss of your parent,” she murmured, wishing her late father-in-law a merry time in hell.

The duke wagged his finger at her, “Now, now, my dear sister. Don’t spoil our reunion by mouthing condolences you couldn’t possibly mean. We all know my father liked none of us, especially you.”

She narrowed her gaze at the duke. The late duke had been a nasty man, but she had not thought Ravenswood would admit to that out loud. “As you say.”

“I do say.” Ravenswood leaned an elbow upon the mantelpiece and studied her, clearly amused by that. “Our father wouldn’t enjoy this moment of family reunion at all, but he no longer matters. We are all free of his interference at last.”

She raised a brow at his remark. “And instead, we must endure yours?”

Jasper laughed, and Sophie silenced him.

“Touché, my dear.” Ravenswood’s grin widened. “Indeed, yes. What an excellent idea, my lady. We shall do things my way from now on. Mrs. Radcliffe, might we impose on your excellent governess skills one last time to take the children away for a little while? I will be forever in your debt. Jasper can go with you if that is any consolation.”

“No,” Nash barked, making the children all jump at the harsh sound.

Laura had startled as well, and she had to soothe her daughter, too. She glanced around to discover Nash standing not far away, feet planted wide, arms folded across his chest, scowling at everyone in the room.

Ravenswood peeled himself away from the mantelpiece. “He speaks?”

“Barely a sentence, though,” Laura couldn’t help but mutter to herself.

It was Sophie who laughed this time.

“I’m not letting her out of my sight again,” Nash announced so forcefully that Laura shivered again and hugged Isabelle a little tighter against her.

“Then, by all means, take a seat,” Ravenswood ordered. “You’re looking a little flushed, brother, from the warmth of the day…or is it the beauty of your wife’s face that affects you still?”

Laura scoffed. “I assure you that any warmth he’s feeling toward me is solely in your imagination, Your Grace.”

“I wouldn’t be so sure,” Ravenswood warned but turned away to lean against the mantelpiece again, eyes flickering back and forth between them.

Nash resumed his stance of stoic silence and would not meet her gaze. He would not welcome her home or forbid her return either, it seemed. He would let the Duke of Ravenswood do all his talking still.

Laura waited patiently for the duke’s interrogation to continue.

Thomas and Liam edged closer, and she patted the cushion beside her, hoping they would sit down. They should have been taken away but she was glad for any time she got to spend with them now. The late duke always forced them to stand in his presence. But with one throat clearing from their father, their backs straightened as if they dared not move a muscle.

Even though she expected it, it hurt a great deal to see them so stiff and obedient. She’d had no control over their lives and no choice but to leave them behind. She hadn’t even been allowed to see them without a servant being present by the end.

“Nash, sit.”

Of course, her husband obeyed the duke’s order.

Ravenswood sat down next to his brother too, but Nash jiggled his knee as if he couldn’t stand being in the same room with her.

Jasper moved into the spot by her side and gave her a reassuring smile. When Laura looked around for the governess, she discovered the woman had slipped away.

She faced the duke, knowing Nash would never start this conversation. “You wished to speak with me?”

The duke sat forward, eyes bright with interest, folding his hands between his knees. “For years.”

They stared at each other a few moments more, but the duke then glanced sideways at Nash. He grimaced. “Jasper, vacate that seat for our brother to sit upon instead.”

Jasper jumped up, but Nash did not move so much as a muscle.

The duke rolled his eyes, “Do it! Sit over there beside your wife so I might see you together again.”

Reluctantly, her husband moved. Laura didn’t watch him, but she felt him draw close. His passage produced no breeze, but she shivered anyway as he sat as far away from her as possible on the settee.

“Now, that is somewhat better. Let us begin.”

“It’s obvious I cannot be married to this woman,” Nash announced bluntly.

“I no longer wish to be married to this man either,” Laura added, making sure her voice was heard loud and clear by everyone in the room. “That is the only reason I have returned.”

They were not good for each other. Separation had been lonely but a relief. She’d found a measure of peace in her temporary home.

“Well, at least you agree on something,” the duke exclaimed. “However, I am not convinced a separation is the right course of action at this time.”

Nash sat forward and glared at the duke. “It is not your decision to make.”

“There’s no doubt in my mind the marriage was a mistake,” Laura added. “I could not endure it again.”

“Were Thomas, Liam and now Isabelle a mistake?”

She glanced at her sons and saw confusion in their eyes. They edged closer to Nash. “No, they are not a mistake. I love all of my children.”

“ My sons should leave us now,” Nash announced.

“No, you wanted the children to stay so they stay,” Ravenswood commanded. “All of them belong here. Everything about this discussion will affect them and their future.”

“I disagree,” Nash argued. “I am the boys’ father, and the decision is solely mine to decide what they are privy to hearing.”

“Then be their father,” Jasper threw out. “An annulment would make them the children of no one.”

“I did not intend for that to happen. The boys will remain my legitimate heirs. I will petition for a divorce. There are clear grounds for a claim of adultery.”

Laura sucked in a sharp breath. Nash was wrong. She’d never so much as looked at another man besides him.

The duke studied her, and his eyes dropped to Isabelle. The corners of his mouth lifted into a grin after a moment. “Isabelle is most definitely your daughter because you are still married to each other, brother. And the record of her birth clearly states you are her father.”

Laura gasped in shock that he’d known about Isabelle, which meant Nash had also known about their little girl.

The duke winked at her. “I have my sources.”

Laura closed her eyes, irritated by the loose lips of someone she’d trusted, but oddly grateful for it as well. Isabelle must be recognized as Nash’s legitimate offspring if their daughter was to have the future she deserved. A place in society and a dowry for when she was old enough to be wed.

Nash sat forward again, glaring at the duke. “You knew she had a child and didn’t tell me?”

“If you’d gone after her like I kept suggesting you should, you would have discovered it for yourself,” Ravenswood argued back. “Your shock today is your own damn fault.”

Nash burst out of his chair.

“Don’t you dare walk away from this,” Ravenswood barked, standing up as well. “Isabelle is a fact, and your daughter. There will be no divorce citing adultery unless it is yours .”

Laura held her breath and let the brothers battle wills across the room. It was no surprise that Nash relented and sat down again. He always did what Algernon asked him to do.

Even propose to Laura in his place, she suspected now.

“There was no adultery. You clearly shared her bed after she left the estate, and this is the result, isn’t it?” Algernon asked, a question in his eyes when he glanced her way.

Laura inclined her head to confirm but did not share the details of when it had happened to avoid her own embarrassment.

She’d not informed Nash about the pregnancy, fearing his father would take the child away from her or drag her back to Ravenswood for the birth and the cure for the melancholy that came after.

Ravenswood narrowed his eyes. “Nash? Do you acknowledge your obligation? Isabelle’s reputation must remain above reproach if she is to have any sort of future in our society and our family.”

Laura stared at the duke in astonishment. She had not expected him to be her ally in this matter at all.

After a moment, her husband growled out a “yes”.

Laura breathed a sigh of relief. Nash had taken responsibility for their child and her future was secure. That was all Laura wanted, besides her own freedom.

“Good. Now that the matter is settled, Jasper can take all the children away now to find his betrothed,” the duke asked. Nash did not protest this time.

Jasper drew closer. “Stand firm, sister. I’m on your side forever, remember? I’ll see you at dinner.”

Laura hoped to be long gone by then, but she appreciated Jasper’s offer of support. It could not be easy to be the only one in the family who thought well of her. She kissed Isabelle and handed her daughter to him. “Goodbye, Jasper. Take care of her.”

“I would, but she has you,” he said, smiling.

Laura lowered her eyes as Jasper lured her sons from the room with him and Isabelle, promising the boys a treat from the kitchen after they found Mrs. Radcliffe.

She fought back tears but steadied herself. “I’ve shared the bed of no other man and nor have I ever wanted to.”

“It is a relief to hear that. Isn’t it, Nash?” the duke murmured. “Fidelity in a marriage is so very important.”

Laura glanced at Nash just as he looked at her, his face turning an unbecoming shade of red. Was he embarrassed they’d slept together again after she’d left him? Or did he not even remember their night together?

He had been very much in his cups, and it might be possible for him to have no memory.

She straightened her spine. “If there’s nothing else, I would like to discuss the divorce and then speak to my children before I go.”

“Unlike last time,” Nash muttered.

“Actually, there is no need for you to leave,” Ravenswood suggested. “Every effort will be made to make your homecoming as smooth as possible.”

“There’s no point her staying. We don’t wish to be married to each other, so she might as well leave immediately,” Nash cut in.

Laura expected Nash’s attitude but eyed the duke with deep suspicion because he opposed Nash’s wishes. “I am happy to go.”

“Don’t be too hasty.” The duke held up both hands. “Divorce is a complicated business. Without the use of a claim of adultery, it will be difficult for Nash to make a strong case. We will discuss the matter over the next month.”

Nash burst to his feet again. “I’ll not wait that long.”

Laura shook her head. “Nor will I.”

“The poor state of your relations is not my only concern. I have other business to attend to and Jasper’s marriage to plan for now, as well. As head of the family, I need time to become familiar with the legalities and requirements of a petition for divorce, and your marriage contract, too, I might add.”

Laura sighed. She had suspected it would not be easy. The terms of her marriage to Nash had been thrashed out by their fathers behind closed doors. Even so, she’d known they had argued heatedly over the terms, but Father had prevailed with as much protection and pin money for her as possible.

“She can wait for news wherever she used to live,” Nash suggested, throwing up his hands and turning away.

“Well, that is too far away for me,” Ravenswood argued. “I have many questions, and you two,” he picked up a large hourglass, “will both spend the turning of this in conversation with each other in front of me answering them.”

Nash sputtered.

Laura choked. “What questions could you possibly have for us? Don’t you know everything about everyone?”

“I am not my father. And I wish to avoid a similar fate to your situation when I take a bride. I wish to learn from your mistakes and study the terms of your marriage contract in detail.”

But Laura could not believe that. She suspected the duke was trying to manipulate a reconciliation between them just to avoid a scandal and paying her portion. Was that why Ravenswood suggested this delay? Out of fear Nash might have to return a hefty portion of her dowry?

Laura shook her head, unwilling to yield to such terms for no benefit. “What good will come of an hour spent together when he will not speak and hardly looks at me?”

The duke smiled. “You will be supervised during your conversations. Deliberate silence beyond one minute will not be tolerated.”

“I’ll not be bullied by you or punished for disobedience,” Laura warned him, standing up. “I had enough of that from your late father.”

“The threat isn’t meant for you, dear,” Ravenswood answered, his attention firmly on Laura’s husband. “It’s him. The situation here, within the family, has changed markedly since my father’s demise. But make no mistake, I am in control now. If you don’t want to cooperate, I have ways and means of making you vastly uncomfortable. I know all the secrets you’d prefer not be shared, Nash.”

Laura raised a brow, intrigued by a threat aimed not at her, but at her husband for once.

Perhaps the brothers were not as close as they once were, but it made no difference to her situation. Isabelle had been acknowledged as Nash’s legitimate offspring and she would eventually have her freedom.

She would suffer any temporary discomfort to be spared continuing a marriage with Nash. If that meant she had to spend one last month being ignored, so be it. She’d have more time to spend with her sons and she could work on Ravenswood to speed up proceedings, perhaps even convince him to allow her additional visitation rights after the divorce was final.

It could be to her benefit to agree with the duke’s request for now.

“Very well. I will give you thirty days more of my life and my complete cooperation in pursuit of a divorce, provided I can be with my children without supervision.”

“I won’t stop you, but perhaps you won’t want a divorce in the end,” Ravenswood answered, eyes still on Nash.

She nodded. “I’m sure I still will.”

“Nash, escort your wife upstairs to the nursery. From today, you will be taking over the many duties of your last governess together.”

“I had another servant in training for that position already,” Nash ground out.

“Oh, no. I’ll not waste wages on another governess when there’s so much work to go round already. The two of you will care for your three children alone from the moment they wake till they are put to bed each night, with only help from the cook and one maid at night to sleep with them. The Ravenswood servants will not come to your rescue.”

Laura hid a smile. When she’d lived here before, she had not been allowed to have any say over her children’s daily routine. The old duke had left her out of all important discussions, and so had Nash. To suddenly be given total responsibility for them for thirty days was a gift she would treasure for the rest of her life. No doubt Nash would never stir himself to become more involved with them, which meant she’d hardly ever see him outside their hourglass conversation each day.

“I’ve no objection,” she said.

“Good.” The duke waved her away. “That will be all for now.”

Laura turned for the door.

“Laura, please wait for your husband to escort you up the stairs,” Ravenswood called out.

“I’m done waiting for him,” she answered.