Page 99 of It's All About the Duke
“And what?” she asked, suddenly fearing his answer.
“I need someone to make sure my gardener takes care of the grounds of the Rathburne Estate.”
She laughed. “Are they large grounds?”
“You can make them bigger if you want,” he answered.
“Then I think I should like to go there someday.”
“After we’re married, or before,” he asked with a teasing grin.
Marlena laughed. “After, of course.”
Rath caught her up in his arms and sealed their promise with a kiss so passionate Marlena felt she was melting in his arms.
He was warm and strong.
Whack! Whack!
“Hellfire!” Rath let go of Marlena and turned just in time to see Mrs. Abernathy’s parasol ready to strike him again.
“Justine, no!” Marlena exclaimed, trying to move between her cousin and Rath. “What are you doing? Put that down before you hurt someone.”
“I will not let him ruin you, Marlena.” She held her weapon up as if ready to go after Rath again. “You may be his ward but you are my charge and in my care. I will not let him lead you astray and leave you shamed and disgraced.”
“But he’s not.”
“Let me explain, Mrs. Abernathy,” Rath said.
“What is there to explain?” she said, her eyes bulging. “I know what you were doing. It’s shameful what you’ve done. Pursuing me like you did, feigning interest in me. And only because you wanted to get your hands on my innocent Marlena. I won’t have it!”
“No, no, he didn’t,” Marlena argued. “I won’t let you accuse him of something that’s not true.”
“Because you don’t know, dear girl. You couldn’t see past his handsome face and charming ways.”
“You are not being fair, Justine.”
“Please, Marlena,” Rath said, “let her have her say. She needs to say this.”
“Yes I do, and I will. I saw you two walking in the garden together at your house. And later how you tried your best to get her alone. Oh, yes, I was aware of that. I saw the way you held her when you danced at the ball. Her first dance that should have been with the gentleman Lord Henry. Oh, yes, I was aware of it all. And today, I was very suspect when the duchess invited me to tea and not Marlena. I knew you’d had a hand in it and I was right. You are her good friend and that you would involve her in your schemes is deplorable.”
“I am guilty of all you say, and more.”
Justine didn’t look surprised. “I knew it. I knew you were trying to fool me with sweet confections and coming to see Marlena when my back was turned. I knew you wanted to be alone with her today. I don’t know how many times you came when I went for a ride in my carriage. The carriage you gave me so I would use it and leave you free to come and see Marlena whenever you wished. Well, Your Grace, I’m telling you right now, your days of trying to seduce and ruin my cousin are over!”
“I agree, Mrs. Abernathy,” Rath said, and then turned and smiled at Marlena. “I just told Marlena that I love her and want to marry her. She just agreed to be my wife.”
“What?” Justine’s word was almost a croak as her hand flew to her chest.
“It’s true,” Marlena said, smiling and feeling happier than she’d ever felt. “We are going to be married.”
“I hope I can count on you to live with us and continue to be her trusted companion,” Rath said. “Or if you prefer, I can set you up in a house of your choosing in Mayfair.”
Justine dropped her parasol. “Mayfair? With my carriage?”
“Of course,” Rath agreed.
“Why, yes,” Justine said as she touched her hair. “Yes, of course I’ll continue to be her companion.”
