Page 9 of Forever Her Bachelor
Pippa threw her head back in exasperation, huffing out several quick breaths. The prickle of tears threatened to fall, but she refused to allow such weakness. “I will not give up my work. I cannot.”
It was who she was. Not only was it one of the few reminders of her parents, but chemistry had saved her when her childish heart had been shattered beyond repair.
Each step she took toward the sofa caused her limbs to tremble under her skirts. Give up her work?There was no other thought in her mind as she lumbered down to sit. Agreeing to marry Summerset had seemed so simple days earlier. Now,she was in fear of losing the one thing she loved and the only connection to her parents she had left.
A soft purr and a brush around her ankles alerted her to Newt, her cat who had white and gray patches covering his face and body. Picking him up, Pippa sat the cat on her lap.
“Where have you been?” she asked, running her hands through his delicate fur as he stretched out on her lap. Pippa smiled at her furry companion, her first smile since the abominable visit began.
Pippa sighed contently as the cat’s purr soothed her troubled countenance.
Her aunt came and sat beside her, rubbing the top of Newt’s head. The cat basked in the attention, stretching himself to better accommodate them. “You don’t have to do this for me.”
“You’ll be destitute if I don’t. Besides Uncle is receiving a large sum from the duke in exchange for a fertile bride.” The words were bitter on her lips. Her uncle had returned from France a fortnight ago, and suddenly she was being presented with the option to marry Summerset or allow creditors to seize everything her aunt owned.
How could she refuse?
“I won’t be the reason for your unhappiness.” Her aunt reached for her hand on Newt’s fur, giving it a gentle squeeze that sent a jolt of comfort to Pippa’s heart.
Staring up at her aunt, she released her hand, gently touching her cheek, where there was evidence of a bruise on her pale skin. “He’ll return to Paris when he has the funds.”
“I hope you’re right.” Licking her dry lips, Lady Wayford looked down at the comfortable cat on Pippa’s lap. “When he returned after abandoning us so abruptly, I believed things would be different this time…” Her words trailed off before she could finish her sentence. Her eyes filled with tears, and she hastily wiped them away. “But I was wrong.”
Pippa had been just a girl when she noticed her aunt’s bruises. Subtle blemishes would appear on her cheek or arm. As a child, she wanted nothing more but to free her aunt from her husband, and now, this was her opportunity. Once the funds from her marriage to Summerset were secure, her uncle was sure to flee.
“It doesn’t matter,” Pippa said, trying to hide her anger. “He should not lay a hand on you.”
The woman she admired more than anyone crumbled before her eyes.
Her lips trembled, the tears now falling like a rare waterfall. “I’m fine. It hasn’t happened again, not since you agreed to marry the duke.” Her aunt placed her gloved hand over Pippa’s.
“It shouldn’t have happened at all! He can’t return afteryears away with his mistress and treat you thusly. We were perfectly fine without him, and we will be again.”
“I will not be a burden to you. You will have enough to deal with…” Her voice trailed off, the unspoken words screaming in Pippa’s ear.
With Summerset as your husband.
“It’s not too late for you, Pippa—” her aunt began.
Pippa shook her head. “I’ve already agreed. They will read the banns. It is done.”
“St. Clara is also in need of a wife.” Her aunt’s quiet statement caused Pippa’s eyes to meet hers. “You would be safe with him, and you would not have to give up your work.”
“What the Duke of St. Clara needs is of no concern of mine.” Pippa swallowed, avoiding eye contact with her aunt.
Her heart rate exploded at the mention of her childhood friend. They had been destined to be friends from the start. It was as easy as breathing, being around St. Clara. He was always entertaining, but underneath it all was a boy who would always choose the dukedom over anyone, including her.
“You loved each other once?—”
“No.” Her tone was harsh, but she could not contain the malice she felt at her aunt’s words. He never loved her; of that she was certain. “We never loved each other.”
The truth of the phrase wounded Pippa greatly, and she wished their past had been different, but it wasn’t. A loveless marriage was not what she had wished for. Her sixteen-year-old self had wished for a love like no other with her closest friend. Chauncey Bennett, the current Duke of St. Clara. He was everything kind, funny, and sweet to her. Although he was an heir to a dukedom, he was her closest and dearest friend, the one person she could depend on.
“You did once. I know you, and I saw how he looked at you, first as a green boy and even now as a duke.” Her aunt squeezed Pippa’s hand in hers.
“There is nothing between us.” She swallowed down the pain that somehow still lingered on the periphery of her heart.
Her eyes closed as she tried to ignore the heavy silence that now surrounded them. She had spent years of her life forgetting her friend and the young man who had promised her everything and gave her nothing. His betrayal had left her with no other choice but to sever all ties between them. It was the only way to protect herself, to protect her heart.