Chapter 29
The voices around her faded into insignificance. Her attention remained fixed on Julian alone.
Julian, who had been willing to take a bullet for her. To die for her.
It was easy for him to say he loved her. But to actually be willing to risk everything, to sacrifice himself for her?
That was something else entirely.
“I love you, too,” she said, reaching up and taking his face in her hands. “So much so. It was why I chose you, even when it made sense to marry another.”
“It was why I married you, too,” he said. “Even if I didn’t realize it at the time. It took me far longer than I would have liked to understand the truth of my feelings, Verity, but they have been there the entire time, and I can’t imagine what life would be like without you.”
“You did promise me excitement,” she murmured. “And while I love that about you, next time let’s choose a different kind of excitement, all right? One that doesn’t threaten both of our lives.”
“Deal,” he said, chuckling as he pulled back and finally took in all that was happening around them. Damon had retrieved the pistol from Eastclere, while Asher had taken the case. He hadn’t wasted much time in opening it on one of Hendrick’s surfaces.
“It’s still here. Still together,” he said incredulously, looking at Hendricks. “What was the plan here?”
“How would I know?” Hendricks said uncomfortably.
“You will not be persecuted, Hendricks,” Asher said, his voice turning incredibly ducal. “Just tell the truth of the matter.”
“Fine. I believe Eastclere was making plans for the sale, but it had not been separated yet. That is part of what he wanted to consult about.”
“I see,” Asher said, before looking at Eastclere in disgust. “There were other ways, man.”
“Everything has been taken from me,” Eastclere said vehemently. “Everything. I was just trying to get back some of what I was owed.”
Verity’s heart broke for the man who had always been considered family. He had been dealt a bad hand, and while he had tried to take the easy way out, he wasn’t evil. Just desperate.
She placed her hand on Julian’s arm, walking over to Eastclere.
“I’m sorry for what you have been through,” she said.
“However, I am certain there are alternatives that do not require committing a crime. Perhaps you might work with the Crown to reach an arrangement—returning the jewels and receiving compensation for both what you stand to lose and the role you have played in these events, no?”
“He stole from me,” Asher growled, but then Evelyn placed a hand on his arm.
“He did, but you’ve recovered what was lost.”
“He also pointed a gun at you, Verity,” Julian said, crossing his arms over his chest.
“He would never have shot me. Or you,” Verity said, though she couldn’t help the affection for Julian that crept into her expression, “although I do appreciate your willingness to take that bullet for me.”
“Always.”
“I still know secrets that I would be more than happy to share,” Eastclere said pointedly. “With the Crown and with society.”
He looked at Julian, and Verity froze. She could live through a ruined reputation, but for the Hartford family’s to be lost after all that Charles and Mabel had sacrificed… she would not allow it.
“Lord Eastclere, you offered Julian a mutual path forward. Can we not do the same, but in a different way? We will keep secret what you tried to do here and not tell your insurance company. Meanwhile, you will keep the secrets that you learned to yourself as well. You and the duke can work together with the Crown to ensure that everyone moves forward with what they need.”
Lord Eastclere hesitated. Verity could tell that he truly wanted to say no, but at this point, he didn’t have much of a choice.
“Fine,” he finally sighed. “So be it.”
Verity breathed out a sigh of relief. “I’m glad to hear it.”
The jeweler looked up and found Julian. “My lord, you are the Marquess of Camden, are you not?”
Julian grimaced. “I am not.” He looked at Verity when he said, “My apologies.”
“Can you at least arrange to fix my shop? I cannot afford much.”
“I’ll handle it,” Damon said, stepping forward.
“You don’t have to do that,” Julian said. “You only accompanied me today to offer assistance.”
“I’d like to,” Damon said with a shrug. “I appreciate this sort of place.”
“Very well,” Julian said, as Seraphina stepped up to Lord Eastclere.
“I am sorry, my lord,” she said. “I didn’t mean to turn against you, not after everything you have done for me, but I could not see an injustice continued to be served.”
“You did what you thought was best,” Lord Eastclere said, although his expression was hard.
“Thank you for understanding,” she said, breathing a sigh. “I thought—”
“But you will have to find somewhere else to live,” he said. “I will not provide for you any longer.”
“What?” she said aghast. “But I have nowhere to go.”
“You should have thought about that before you turned against me,” he said, spine straight as he made for the back door. “I would be very happy if I never saw any of you again.”
“Seraphina,” Verity said, placing a hand on her arm. “I am so sorry. You are welcome to stay with us if you need.”
“I will find my way,” she said, setting her shoulders. “I always do.”
“We will find a way together,” Evelyn corrected. “Now, shall we leave before this turns into a greater scandal than it already is?”
Damon spoke to Mr. Hendricks with promises to return shortly, passing him his card before they all left, breaking into small groups as they hurried out of a neighborhood none of them often frequented.
“Why did you apologize to me for not being the marquess?” Verity asked once she and Julian had some privacy.
“I suppose I feel as though I could offer you so much more if I had a title, a fortune. I’m not much, although you know I will give you all I have.”
“Julian, you must realize something.”
“What’s that?”
“You are my marquess. My lord. My husband. My everything. It doesn’t matter what title you hold to the rest of the world, as long as you are that man to me.”
Julian couldn’t keep himself away any longer as he leaned in and took her lips with his, promising her everything he could give—for the rest of their lives.
“Will you give me a moment?” he asked. “I need to speak with Asher about something.”
“Of course.”
He and Evelyn switched places, and Julian sighed as he placed his hands in his pockets.
“Asher, I’m not sure what all you picked up in there, but—”
“Your uncle was part of the treasonous plot that killed my father.”
“Yes,” Julian said with a sigh. “I have no reason to believe that Michael was involved with your father’s murder for he would have been banished by then, but he was involved with Norwood.
I’ve known for a while, and I’ve kept the secret for my family, but now…
well, now it’s come to light. I told Verity, and you deserve the truth as well. ”
Asher was silent for a moment before he clapped his hand on Julian’s shoulder.
“It’s fine, Julian.”
“Is it, though? I feel like it was a significant fact that I kept from you.”
“It was. And I can’t say that I’m happy you kept such a secret from me, especially about something that involved my own family. But at this point, I just want to move forward. As you do. With our families. Our wives. Our homes.”
Julian breathed out a sigh of relief.
“I’m glad to hear it.”
“But don’t keep secrets like that from me again, hear me?”
“Someone else said something very similar to me not long ago.”
“Verity?”
“Yes.”
Asher looked over contemplatively at the two women in front of them. “I think that the two of you can have a very happy marriage together, Julian. She truly loves you, for all that you are.”
“You’re right about that,” Julian agreed wholeheartedly.
They had reached Mayfair, and the group went their separate ways, after making a vow to one another that they would keep all that had occurred between them and see to it that the diamond was restored to its rightful place.
Julian and Verity were considering whether to stop and explain all that had occurred to James when Julian heard his name called out, and he turned in surprise to find his uncle Charles walking down the street toward them.
But he wasn’t alone.
He had a woman on his arm—none other than Verity’s aunt Mabel.
“Charles?” he exclaimed at the same time Verity said, “Mabel?”
Charles beamed up at him. “I’m glad we caught you.”
“What are you doing here—together?” Verity asked, her grip tightening on Julian’s arm as she stared on in wonder.
“Well,” Mabel said slowly. “Your wedding was the first time we had seen one another in years.”
“And then we had our conversation, Julian,” Charles said, as they all moved to the side and out of the way of other passersby.
“It made me realize that while I had once been a young fool, now I was an old fool. I needed to get out of my own way and find the happiness that Mabel and I should have had some time ago. The worst she could say to me was no.”
“And, as it happens,” Mabel said, glancing over at Charles shyly, “he was able to convince me that he had cared for me. He had just made a poor decision, thinking he was doing what was best for his family and the woman he loved in equal measure.”
Julian stared at the two of them with wonder, warmth filling his heart. He had seen the pain in his uncle’s eyes, and now, to see him standing here in front of him with nothing but joy, he was nearly as happy for him as he was for himself.
Nearly.
“Would you like to join us for dinner tonight?” Verity said. “We would be happy to have you. We can tell you all about the Paragon Diamond—” she stopped at the wince that covered Mabel’s face. “Or not,” she finished.
“We would like that very much,” Mabel said, “for we will be leaving London soon, to gather my belongings and then continue on to Charles’ country home, where we will be married.”
Verity gasped and clapped her hands together while Julian grinned and reached his hand out. “Congratulations,” he said. “From my limited experience, married life is a blessing.”
“I believe it will be as well,” Charles agreed. “We shall see you tonight.”
They continued down the street, Verity and Julian watching them go, both of them shocked.
“Well,” Verity said, “that was unexpected.”
“Unexpected but something to be celebrated,” Julian murmured. “You know what? I think we should send James an invitation. He, Mary, and my mother can join us for dinner.”
“You do not want to speak to him now?”
“No,” Julian said, turning to her with a wolfish grin. “At the moment, I would like very much to be alone with my wife.”
Verity gave him a sly smile of her own. “I’d like that as well.”
Then Julian clasped her hand and took off running down the street, oblivious to the shocked stares of others walking by.
All that mattered was the unfettered laughter of his wife next to him.
Laughter he didn’t think he’d ever get enough of.