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It was quite a sight, to behold her in this regal state, but Julian found that he equally favored the picture of her flushed, barely dressed as she shivered and moaned with pleasure.

That was a form of his wife he knew he could never get tired of seeing, a look she wore so well and he missed dearly.

Need began to stir within him and the duke clenched his jaw tighter, summoning control from the depths of himself.

He fought the urge to find a room in that moment where he could once more gaze upon his wife in an intimately, his dry throat aching for a chance to taste her.

“Regardless, I appreciate you asking me to do this. I did not believe we would get a chance to be like this. Like a married couple. This is quite nice,” Anna told him softly, giggling as he spun her around a little.

He did not expect that something so small and fickle to him would make her so… happy. Was she merely easy to please?

Anna’s admission of the loneliness she had endured in his absence trickled into Julian’s mind once more, a problem that he couldn’t seem to ignore. Guilt gnawed at him and he inhaled deeply, feeling as though the best he could offer was an explanation, even though it would fix nothing.

“It was never my intention to abandon you.”

His words caught Anna off guard and the smile on her lips faded and she frowned up at him in confusion.

“I don’t – I don’t understand. What do you mean?”

“After our wedding. I know my actions might have seemed cruel, but it wasn’t my intention to punish you for a situation that was not your fault.

A situation in which you were also a victim.

I only wanted to do what was right – and avoid repeating the mistakes I had witnessed my family make.

My father was quite incorrigible and cruel.

He only ever viewed his family – our family as important when he needed to boast about his perfect heir or join conversations that ridiculed wives.

He did not care for my mother – certainly did not love her, if the numerous affairs he’d had during their marriage was anything to go by.

My mother was… far too lovely to see him for who he really was.

Despite how deeply hurt and sad his actions made her.

Between the complicated mess of my parent’s marriage and my brother’s irresponsible attitude, I did not feel as though I would make a good husband on any account. ”

Anna lifted her head, her expression portraying surprise and confusion.

“Brother? You have a brother?”

He raised an eyebrow at her question. “Did you not know?”

“No, I – you never brought him up. There were rumors, but you never mentioned him, and neither did the staff. And there are no portraits of your family within the estate – none I have come across anyway.” She replied, flustered.

“I do not speak of him because I do not like the sort of life he lives. He is reckless, ignorant, childish… and I suspect that he is Nicholas’ birth father.”

Anna tripped over her own feet, stumbling forward with a gasp. Julian’s hands came down to hold her steady by her waist and the moment she was stable, she questioned.

“What? How do you know? How long have you known?”

Julian exhaled deeply. “The child is not mine, but he has strikingly similar eyes to mine. And this trait was passed down from my father to his sons, so I took a gander. It is still a mere speculation, but I have located my brother and I instructed him to find Nicholas’ mother.

If I am right, then Seth is how we’ll put an end to all of this.

I have cut off his resources and he is bound to come crawling to us, any day out.

If he’s smarter than I give him credit for, he’ll come with the answers we seek. ”

Anna thought she would be relieved to learn about Nicholas’ parents, but the news only made her sick, a wave of uneasiness threatening to smother her.

“W-What about his mother? Do you know anything about who Nicholas’ mother could be?”

Julian shook his head slowly, looking frustrated for a moment.

“Not a clue. But judging by my brother’s preferences, she could be a mere maid or servant. That would explain why she abandoned the child at our doorstep. It is possible she hoped we would raise him and provide a better life than she could have.”

The small bout of thrill and joy Anna had felt moments ago had faded, leaving behind heartbreak and disappointment in its wake. She had suspected that Nicholas’ parents might not have been able to provide for him, and only wanted to give him the life they couldn’t afford.

But hearing about it like this – learning that her husband did not have a pleasant upbringing and it had convinced him that he would not make an ideal husband saddened her greatly.

Seth’s behavior also upset her, because what sort of man would abandon his lover to raise their child on her own?

Especially when he had the means to ensure both the mother and child would live good comfortable lives?

“It is all so complicated, and difficult to judge, but at least Nicholas has someone as reliable as you as his uncle. Despite the complexities that surround his parents, he will always be taken care of by you,” Anna tried to smile, choosing to view the bright side.

Unfortunately, Julian did not share the sentiment, his face contorting to portray irritation almost immediately.

“That is no excuse for my brother’s negligent behavior.

People like him are despicable, with their habit of wreaking havoc on the lives of others, simply by avoiding their responsibilities.

And Seth will not get away with this – not while I live and breathe.

Nicholas is not my cross to bear and neither is he yours.

And I will ensure my brother pays for his actions. ” He said gruffly.

Anna couldn’t believe her ears. She pulled her hands out of her husband’s grasp and stated plainly.

“Do not speak of him like that. Nicholas isn’t a burden to be passed around. What happened to him was not his fault, and he shouldn’t have to pay for the actions of his mother and father.”

“Someone needs to take responsibility, duchess. And neither you nor I are in the position to do so. The sooner you realize that the better things will be for us all.” Julian snapped.

The music stopped then and the other couples dancing around them halted their movements, laughing and chattering as they walked off the dance floor. But neither Julian nor Anna moved, the atmosphere between them losing its lightness as they stared at each other in challenge.

Finally, Anna exhaled, demanding quietly.

“I would like to return home now. I have grown tired of this ball.”

For once, Julian did not argue, merely stepping aside so she could walk ahead of him, following her closely as she stepped off the dance floor.