Page 87

“Thank you for being here,” she told him gratefully.

“You are very welcome, darling. I will always be here to support you,” he promised her.

Juliet smiled tiredly but was altogether relieved and thankful that it was over.

She had wanted to say as much when a knock at the parlor door disturbed the gentleness between them.

“Worthington, you have been a harbinger of shocking news today. What is it this time?” Hector questioned, exasperated.

The butler looked apologetic and sighed deeply as he announced, “Lord Somerton is here to see you, Your Grace.”

CHAPTER 32

“Ah. I had almost forgotten that we were scheduled to meet this afternoon,” Hector sighed, waving Worthington away. “Tell him I shall be with him shortly, and we shall retire to my study to discuss matters.”

As the butler took his leave, Hector faced Juliet.

“I must go. There is much we need to speak about concerning my business. Will you be all right by yourself for a little while? I shall find you in time for dinner,” he told her softly.

Juliet nodded, leaning into his touch in a way that made his heart ache and made him wish he could stay with her longer.

“I will, do not worry. Your work is vital, and you should not keep Lord Somerton waiting,” she told him with a little smile.

That conniving bastard can wait for as long as I want him to.

Hector wanted to voice his thoughts but knew it would upset Juliet further, so instead, he leaned forward and kissed her chastely and softly on her nose and forehead.

“I will see you soon,” he promised, feeling oddly reluctant to leave.

She must have sensed it because she gently pushed him in the direction of the door.

“You certainly will,” she grinned.

Hector nodded, mumbled, “Right,” and then walked out into the corridor, trying not to look back as he closed the door behind him.

With a sigh he turned to head in the direction of his study, slightly caught off guard by the sight of Lord Somerton speaking with Lord Campton, both men standing only a few feet away from the parlor’s entrance. Juliet’s father looked distressed as he spoke, gesturing with his hands, and rage filled Hector’s veins.

“Why are you still here, Lord Campton?” he snapped, stepping in their direction. “Perhaps you are under the impression that I cannot make good on my earlier threats. Would you like me to show how serious I am?”

Lord Campton turned pale and rushed off, stumbling over nothing in his rush to escape.

Hector observed that Lord Somerton wore a pitying expression on his face.

The Earl sighed, “He merely had some concerns over his daughter’s well-being. With her recent induction into society, closely followed by the myriad of rumors surrounding your marriage, it is only normal for a father to be worried about the affairs of his child. I told him not to fret as you are more than capable of ensuring all this foolishness ceases. I assured him that his daughter is in exceptionally capable hands…”

“Somerton,” Hector levelled him with a cold, dead stare, “I do not need you to do me any favors, least of all involving yourself with my wife’s father with the impression that you can provide invaluable assistance. This will be the last time I will warn you not to speak about my marriage. Next time, I shall simply have your tongue cut off and served to my stable boy’s dog. Do you understand me?”

Lord Somerton conceded quickly, “Yes, Your Grace. My apologies. I shall not overstep again.”

“See that you don’t,” Hector retorted stiffly before continuing his walk in the direction of his study, expecting the other man to follow him.

He had settled behind his desk by the time Somerton joined him, eager to be done with the meeting and return to his wife.

“Your Grace, things do not seem to be shaping up in your favor. I believe that these rumors will only continue to hinder the growthand success of your business,” Somerton informed him once he was seated.

“The rumors should not matter. My work records are quite impeccable, and they are proof that I am a reliable business associate. All this nonsense about my wife and me should have no bearing whatsoever.”

“But that is merely what you believe. Unfortunately, others do not see it that way. Additionally, you are no longer a simple entity anymore. You are married; therefore, the sins of your wife will be reflected upon you.”