A Dark Secret
Chapter thirty-seven
Juliet’s hands were trembling as she alighted from the carriage. An almost icy wind threatened to blow the hood from her head, and she pulled her cloak tighter around her. Yet it was not the season’s cold that made her limbs tremble.
With a deep sigh, she let her gaze sweep over Fartherington Hall, knowing that somewhere inside, Christopher’s mother awaited her.
“Will you assist an old woman to the door?” Grandma Edie asked with a chuckle a moment before her weathered hand descended upon Juliet’s arm.
“With each passing day, stairs like these look more and more daunting.” A disapproving scoff left her lips as she looked at the few steps leading up to the front door.
Juliet smiled at her grandmother. “Of course, it will be my pleasure.” Yet she could not help but wonder whether her grandmother’s words had merely been spoken for Juliet’s benefit as an attempt to distract her, perhaps.
After all, her grandmother often moaned and lamented about her old age and failing body when in truth Juliet often witnessed how capable her aging grandmother still was.
Without a hitch, they made it to the front door and were then shown inside to the drawing room, where a warming fire burned in the grate. Once again, Juliet assisted her grandmother into a comfortable-looking armchair near the fire before seating herself on the settee.
Fortunately, they did not have to wait long for Christopher’s mother to greet them.
Only moments later, the tall, somewhat stern-looking woman Juliet remembered from her childhood stepped over the threshold, Nora only a step behind her.
While Lady Lockhart greeted them with the utmost politeness, it was Nora’s smile that felt warm and welcoming.
“I am truly glad to see you again, Lady Juliet,” Lady Lockhart said kindly as she and her daughter seated themselves. “Indeed, I do believe it’s a good idea for us to speak. My son told me of your betrothal.” Her eyebrows went up ever so slightly as she looked at Juliet.
After casting a glance at Grandma Edie, Juliet met the other woman’s eyes.
“I am glad to hear it. I assume you were quite surprised to receive the news.” She cast a smile at Nora, wondering what had happened the day her old friend had come to visit Troy at Whickerton Grove.
Unfortunately, her brother had been rather tightlipped about it.
“Surprised, certainly,” Lady Lockhart replied with one of those polite smiles that said very little about her true feelings, “but also pleased. Indeed, I am delighted to see our two noble families united through marriage.” She paused, and a hint of caution came to her eyes.
“However, there is something of which I feel obligated to inform you.” She cleared her throat, and out of the corner of her eye, Juliet could see Nora roll her eyes.
“Well,” Lady Lockhart began, wetting her lips as she searched for the right words to express whatever concern was on her mind, “my son spoke to me of your approval to return his…his…”
“His son,” Juliet offered helpfully; however, at her words, Lady Lockhart’s jaw dropped rather shockingly, and she stared at her guest in a way that Juliet momentarily feared the woman might faint. “Are you all right?”
Lady Lockhart swallowed hard. “It’s true then,” she gasped, staring at Juliet as though she had grown another head. “You do not object to him bringing…bringing…”
Inhaling a deep breath, Juliet met Lady Lockhart’s gaze.
“Of course not,” she said, careful to keep her voice steady and determined so as not to inspire doubt in her future mother-in-law.
“In fact, it was I who urged Christopher to bring his son back home. A child belongs with his family, do you not agree?”
For a long moment, Lady Lockhart said not a word.
Her face seemed paler than before, and her hands were clamped together in her lap.
“But…But he’s a bastard!” she finally exclaimed when it became clear that Juliet had no intention of offering more of an explanation; outrage mingled with utter incomprehension in her voice.
“You cannot truly wish to…to have another woman’s child in your home.
” Staring at Juliet, she shook her head as though that might convince Juliet to see the error of her ways.
Grandma Edie watched their conversation with rapt attention—as did Nora—but Juliet knew she would not interfere. No, this was Juliet’s battle and her grandmother trusted her to fight it.
To win it.
“Lady Lockhart,” Juliet began, meeting the other woman’s eyes, “I am aware of your opinion in this matter; however, Christopher and I disagree.” She sighed deeply, allowing her thoughts to travel to the little boy across the sea.
“Children—all children—are a blessing. They fill life with joy and laughter, and they deserve to be loved no matter how they came into this world. That is what family is, would you not agree?”
A frown descended upon the other woman’s face. “You cannot be serious. Are you truly contemplating the idea of raising that…that boy alongside your own children?” She shook her head as though to rid herself of such a vile thought.
Anger sparked in Juliet’s heart, not the kind one felt at becoming aware of some wrongdoing not directly linked to oneself, but the kind that was one’s own.
“The boy you speak of,” she said, something sharp coming to her voice, “is Christopher’s son as well as mine, and I will love Sebastian no differently than any other child that might be born to us.
” Although Juliet had had doubts before, the powerful emotions growing in her chest at this very moment proved that there was no need to feel concern.
Yes, she would be Sebastian’s mother, and she would love him. How could she not? He was an innocent child, much like Samantha, and Juliet had lost her heart to the little girl within moments of meeting her. And now, she would be the boy’s mother!
“Let me make this perfectly clear, Lady Lockhart,” Juliet told her future mother-in-law with a stern look.
“If you reject Sebastian, if you treat him without respect, we cannot permit you to be a part of our lives.” Lady Lockhart’s eyes widened.
“I will not allow an innocent child to be subjected to the kind of treatment you have bestowed upon your own son since the day he was born.” There, she’d said it!
Lady Lockhart’s gaze fell from hers, and for the first time, the woman seemed far from in control. Her hands were still clamped together, but she fidgeted in her seat as though she wished to rise and rush from the room.
“Mother,” Nora spoke up with a sideways glance at Juliet, “you should think this through carefully.” Her hands trembled as she spoke, and Juliet thought to see a flicker of hesitation in her eyes.
“You know that Christopher’s children will be your only grandchildren.
” Juliet frowned. “Do you truly wish to spend the remainder of your life alone? Would you not rather be part of a loud and loving family?” Tears glistened in Nora’s eyes, but she quickly blinked them away.
Juliet felt her heart go out to her friend.
Indeed, at least a year had passed since they had last spoken, not since she and Christopher had come for a short visit the year before, so that Juliet knew very little about Nora’s life.
Was it possible that Nora could not have children?
After all, Lord Hayward had died without an heir.
Or were her words merely intended to remind her mother that she had no intention of ever marrying again?
Not even Troy? Juliet could not help but wonder, wishing she knew what had happened between them…
…five years ago…
…and only days earlier.
Lady Lockhart looked to her daughter; her lips pressed together in a tight line.
Nora sighed, then lifted her right hand to brush a tear from her cheek.
“How happy has striving for things like fortune and reputation made any of us? Christopher and Juliet are in love,” she glanced at Juliet, a tentative smile upon her lips, “and they will be happy together…with their children, with all their children. The only decision that remains yours is whether you become a part of their family.”
Casting Nora a grateful smile, Juliet nodded.
“I have no intention of keeping you from your son or your grandchildren. However, as a wife and mother, it will be my duty as well as my heart’s desire to ensure their safety, their well-being, their happiness.
” Sighing, she looked at Lady Lockhart. “Is that not how you feel about your own children as well?”
A tremor went through Lady Lockhart, and her hands clamped together even more tightly.
“Nora, dear,” Grandma Edie spoke up suddenly, “I need to move my old bones. Will you accompany me?”
Although clearly surprised, Nora nodded, then she rose from her seat and offered Juliet’s grandmother her arm. Together, they walked out of the room. Still, before they vanished, Juliet caught her grandmother’s eye…
…and what she saw there made her wonder.
Waiting for the door to close behind them, Juliet looked across the small space at Lady Lockhart.
The woman’s icy exterior had vanished, and her gaze was distant, as though she was no longer aware of Juliet’s presence.
Her hands clawed into one another, and her jaw looked so tense that Juliet feared it might break from the strain.
Yet tears glistened in her eyes and sadness lingered upon her face.
Uncertain where to begin, Juliet rose to her feet and then moved to seat herself beside her future mother-in-law. She thought about what to say, where to begin, when the question Christopher had always asked himself simply tumbled from her tongue. “Why can you not love him?”
Lady Lockhart flinched at her words. Her eyes opened and closed and then settled upon hers.