Page 95 of Forever Her Bachelor

“Pippa! I did not know; you have my word. How could you even ask me such a thing?” Her aunt turned around, the hurt and betrayal on her face cutting through Pippa’s heart.

She stood, walking over to her aunt. “I’m sorry; I had to ask. What he did separated St. Clara and me for nine years. We could’ve been happy all these years.”

Lady Wayford took Pippa’s hands, squeezing tightly. “You listen to me. You will be happy; I’ve always known it. I’ve seen the way St. Clara looks at you. It’s one reason I wanted you to leave with him. I knew that you two still loved each other.”

Pippa took a deep breath, closing her eyes. Relief ran through her like a rushing river—fresh, clean, regenerated. “We were never a love match, aunt.” It was the truth of their past but no longer of their present.

They had always been extremely close and would do anything for each other, but never had they ever confessed their love for each other.

Lady Wayford hugged her quickly, her motherly arms providing Pippa with peace of mind. She had not wanted to believe that her aunt knew of her husband’s treachery all those years.

“The love you shared, it was different, more fragile then, but it existed, and if it was there once, it will only bloom and grow.” Releasing Pippa, her aunt walked back to the sofa, Newt quickly jumping into her arms.

The rightness of her aunt words settled over Pippa. Love had bloomed in only a fortnight of being together. There was no denying her and Chauncey’s imminent connection. Anticipation of seeing her husband and spending the rest of her life making up for lost time sparked through her.

Pippa’s leg bounced, her body alive and on edge. Anger and fear had ruled her for so long that everything he did sent her fleeing in self-preservation, but no more.

Standing, she wanted to go to him, but first, Pippa needed to check on her laboratory. Then she would run to the arms of her husband and never let him go. “I’m sorry, Aunt. I will return tomorrow and learn everything that has happened since my elopement, but first I need to go to the laboratory. You’re welcome to join me.”

Pippa couldn’t contain her excitement to be inside the one place that had always made her happy. She had missed working so much. Being in the orangery at Archer Castle had given Pippa so many ideas for fresh scents and had her wishing for her own space. With nowhere to set up a laboratory, she was going to have to work from her aunt’s garden. After she ensured everything was as she left it, she would speak with Chauncey about finding a new laboratory at their home.

Her aunt’s gaze found Pippa’s, her brows crinkling in confusion. “Pippa, I thought you knew. St. Clara had the laboratory dismantled?—”

“Dismantled?” Pippa’s heart stopped; her mouth gaped open. It was difficult for her to find air, her world crumbling around her. It was her life’s work, her father’s journals, all her equipment, everything she held dear.

No, no. It couldn’t be gone. It was all she had left of her parents’ memory.

“Pippa … ” Her aunt called to her from her seat on the sofa. Pippa blinked several times until her aunt and Newton came into focus.

Her mind was finding it difficult to comprehend the words, her body shaking in shock. “Chauncey had the laboratory taken away?” Pippa placed her hand to her chest, trying to ward off the confusion.

“St. Clara sent servants to collect everything the day you left for Scotland. Surely, he told you?” her aunt asked, staring up at Pippa with wide eyes.

Before Pippa could answer, a commotion outside the parlor sounded. Her uncle’s loud voice bellowed.

Footsteps stomped before the door of the parlor was pushed open with force. “Where is she?” Her uncle entered, his wild, determined gaze searching out Pippa.

She stood facing his wrath, not afraid of him. He had lied to her for his own personal gain for nine years, and now he had the audacity to be upset with her?

“You’ve ruined everything!” His short, stout body marched over to her.

“I’ve ruined everything?” Pippa asked in contempt, pointing to herself. “No, you ruined everything nine years ago when you conspired with the late duke.”

Lord Wayford stumbled to a stop. “How did you find out about that?”

“You won’t even deny it?” Pippa’s voice raised at the nerve of the vile man. She knew him to be a proud and arrogant sort, but what he had done was deceitful and cruel.

“Why should I deny it?” He challenged her, stepping forward slightly. “I knew you were only a plaything to the boy, and eventually he was going to ruin you. You should thank me.”

Although she had known who he really was for years, his harsh words took her by surprise. As a girl, he had ignored her, his cruel indifference, so different from her own father’s warm and happy disposition. When she was of age, her uncle threatened to marry her off to the first gentlemen with a sizable fortune. Pippa’s only confidante had been Chauncey. Chauncey who always stood beside her and loved her no matter the consequences.

“I would’ve been stuck with you, and still here we are, years later.” He threw his hands in the air in exasperation. “Has he finally gotten what he wanted and thrown you back over here to be my problem?—”

“I have never been your problem, and you, sir, will no longer be my aunt’s. If you think you have any power, you’re mistaken.” Pippa stood staring at the man who had conspired to separate her and Chauncey.

“Now see here, you!” her uncle shouted, taking a step toward Pippa.

“Don’t you dare speak to my wife in that manner!” her husband roared as he strolled into the room, fire blazing in his eyes.