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“Sarah, my darling sunshine, what has Papa said about saying such things about him?” Marcus approached them, frowning playfully.

Sarah paused, then said, “Not to do it in front of guests. Only in front of Mama.”

“Oi!” Marcus sighed.

“All right, children, that is enough for now. Our dear Duchess came to spend an enjoyable time with us, not to endure your pestering. All right?” Emma told them, half stern.

“Yes, Mama,” they chorused obediently.

Emma turned to Juliet with a sigh, her expression softening when she noticed Tobias had fallen asleep in Juliet’s arms.

“You are really quite good with children,” the Marchioness noted, beckoning the governess over.

“I got along quite well with many of the girls in the convent. We were quite close-knit,” Juliet explained, carefully handing Tobias over to his caretaker.

“And how are you settling into your life as a duchess? I can only imagine it was not an easy transition.” Emma led them to a settee to sit down.

Juliet inhaled deeply, wondering how much she could say with Hector so close by.

“Challenging, to say the least, but things have already greatly improved.”

Emma nodded. “That is good to hear. My husband and I are so pleased to have you as a member of this family. Marcus…he worries about Hector a lot. But he seems to believe his stubborn cousin will be all right because he has you now. I also share this belief because you very clearly have a good heart.”

Together, they looked in the direction of where their husbands sat and talked with the older children hovering around them.Sarah asked Hector a question, and he held onto her hand, smiling at her as he did so.

“Yes, sunshine, I do have many pretty horses. Even prettier than the ones your father has,” Hector said to her gently.

“Now hang on. Must you slander my horses in an effort to butter up my daughter?”

Marcus’ mock cry of outrage went ignored as Hector added,

“You are welcome to ride them with me anytime.”

“Like in the summer? Mama says riding in the summer is very nice. She also said she once tried to escape papa when they were out riding, but he caught up with her,” Sarah said with wide, excited eyes.

“Between you and me, it is a miracle your father caught up with her at all. I am willing to bet my finest horse that she let him win.” He winked at her. “And yes, you can come in the summer. I look forward to your company and enlightening conversation, My Lady.”

It was such a precious exchange that it made Juliet’s heart swell.

“Hector has been through so much, and he needs someone with a good heart to help him get better. However, he can still be a stubborn mule sometimes. If he ever tries to bully you intohaving his way, do not let it happen. These men have far too much audacity in them, I swear.”

Juliet laughed, now entirely at ease, and felt that she had been accepted by Hector’s family and had made a new friend in the bargain that she would hold dear for a long time.

“Oh, do not worry. I would never stand for that.”

CHAPTER 27

“And then, he rolled down the hill alongside the pigs!”

The table erupted into a fit of laughter with the storyteller, Hector, looking immensely proud of himself.

“But what else was I supposed to do? It would be put back into its pen, and I would certainly get into trouble; there was no harm in having a little bit of fun while my freedom lasted,” Marcus complained, unable to shed his grin.

“You were supposed to catch it and at least pretend to be remorseful over your actions,” Hector pointed out, dabbing the corner of his lips with a napkin.

“In all the years I have known my husband, he has never experienced a single shred of remorse. I have known him for a lot less time than you have, Hector, yet I know what and what not to expect from this chaotic storm of a man,” Emma stated, causing Hector to snort into his glass of wine.

“Bullies, the lot of you,” Marcus tutted in disappointment, shifting his attention to Juliet. “Do not fall for their cruel jokes, Duchess. They shame my name with slander and taint my character with falsehoods.”