Page 73 of The Devil's Accidental Duchess
“It means that his desire for you doesn’t stem from affection or romance,” Mary said with a shrug, as if it were a simple statement. “It comes from hatred.”
“Hatred?” Selina coughed.
“Hatred for his father. The reason he wants you, the reason he saw his opportunity when that letter came, is because you, dear Lady Selina, are the only way he can get revenge on his father,” Mary explained, a pitying look in her eyes. “You can’t rage at a dead man, but you canoffend his memory by marrying the daughter of his sworn enemy.”
Selina shook her head. “You’re lying.”
“I have no reason to,” Mary replied. “You forget that I’ve known His Grace intimately for some time. There were things he would tell me when we were alone together. Things about his father and the abuse he suffered under that bastard’s reign. Terrible things. Torturous things. The kind of things that create a lifelong hatred. Marrying you is a… tonic for him, I suppose, to finally get back at his father, even if only in his mind.”
“No… no, that cannot be true.” Selina’s voice cracked, and her eyes pricked.
Philip had been so inviting, so surprisingly gentle, his actions speaking of a true affection blossoming between them. Indeed, did this woman not have every reason to spread untruths? She was the scorned lover, after all.
“I have heard him say so himself,” Mary insisted. “To me, yes, but also to the Duke of Ironcrest. There are undoubtedly others.”
Selina closed her eyes and drew in a deep breath. “I do not believe you, Mary. I think you are trying to hurt me to alleviate your own hurt. I think this isyourrevenge because you are leaving tomorrow, and you blame me for it.”
Mary picked up the tray of tea things, a sad smile on her lips. “I’m not the least bit bitter, My Lady. I was tired of the countryside and of always being at His Grace’s beck and call. Don’t mistake me, I enjoyed our time together. It would be a lie to say I did not. But I was never going to be any more than just a maid. It was high time for me to find a position in London.” She paused. “I just want you to know the truth. Believe me or not, but… Icanprove it to you if that’s what you need?”
Selina had no idea if that was what she needed or if she would be better off staying as far away from this ‘truth’ as possible. The trouble was, now that she knew there was proof to be had, it would bother her until she found out, one way or another.
How could she possibly walk down the aisle to the man she was indeed beginning to fall for if there was even the slightest chance that this was all built on deception and hatred? That was no way to begin a marriage. No way tohavea marriage.
“You can prove it?” she said.
Mary nodded. “I can.”
“Then… fine. Prove it.”
“Very good, My Lady. Wait for my instruction.”
As the maid curtseyed and took herself out of the room, Selina could not help but feel as if she had just made a terrible mistake. For if therewasproof to be had, it would undoubtedly break her heart.
But I can’t not know.
Surely, it was better to nurse a broken heart once than to spend the rest of her life in a marriage with a man who just saw her as the emblem of his revenge.
Besides, maybe Mary was just bluffing.
