Chapter 32

CHAPTER 32

“ A h. I had almost forgotten that we were scheduled to meet this afternoon,” Hector sighed, waving Worthington away. “Tell him I shall be with him shortly, and we shall retire to my study to discuss matters.”

As the butler took his leave, Hector faced Juliet.

“I must go. There is much we need to speak about concerning my business. Will you be all right by yourself for a little while? I shall find you in time for dinner,” he told her softly.

Juliet nodded, leaning into his touch in a way that made his heart ache and made him wish he could stay with her longer.

“I will, do not worry. Your work is vital, and you should not keep Lord Somerton waiting,” she told him with a little smile.

That conniving bastard can wait for as long as I want him to .

Hector wanted to voice his thoughts but knew it would upset Juliet further, so instead, he leaned forward and kissed her chastely and softly on her nose and forehead.

“I will see you soon,” he promised, feeling oddly reluctant to leave.

She must have sensed it because she gently pushed him in the direction of the door.

“You certainly will,” she grinned.

Hector nodded, mumbled, “Right,” and then walked out into the corridor, trying not to look back as he closed the door behind him.

With a sigh he turned to head in the direction of his study, slightly caught off guard by the sight of Lord Somerton speaking with Lord Campton, both men standing only a few feet away from the parlor’s entrance. Juliet’s father looked distressed as he spoke, gesturing with his hands, and rage filled Hector’s veins.

“Why are you still here, Lord Campton?” he snapped, stepping in their direction. “Perhaps you are under the impression that I cannot make good on my earlier threats. Would you like me to show how serious I am?”

Lord Campton turned pale and rushed off, stumbling over nothing in his rush to escape.

Hector observed that Lord Somerton wore a pitying expression on his face.

The Earl sighed, “He merely had some concerns over his daughter’s well-being. With her recent induction into society, closely followed by the myriad of rumors surrounding your marriage, it is only normal for a father to be worried about the affairs of his child. I told him not to fret as you are more than capable of ensuring all this foolishness ceases. I assured him that his daughter is in exceptionally capable hands…”

“Somerton,” Hector levelled him with a cold, dead stare, “I do not need you to do me any favors, least of all involving yourself with my wife’s father with the impression that you can provide invaluable assistance. This will be the last time I will warn you not to speak about my marriage. Next time, I shall simply have your tongue cut off and served to my stable boy’s dog. Do you understand me?”

Lord Somerton conceded quickly, “Yes, Your Grace. My apologies. I shall not overstep again.”

“See that you don’t,” Hector retorted stiffly before continuing his walk in the direction of his study, expecting the other man to follow him.

He had settled behind his desk by the time Somerton joined him, eager to be done with the meeting and return to his wife.

“Your Grace, things do not seem to be shaping up in your favor. I believe that these rumors will only continue to hinder the growth and success of your business,” Somerton informed him once he was seated.

“The rumors should not matter. My work records are quite impeccable, and they are proof that I am a reliable business associate. All this nonsense about my wife and me should have no bearing whatsoever.”

“But that is merely what you believe. Unfortunately, others do not see it that way. Additionally, you are no longer a simple entity anymore. You are married; therefore, the sins of your wife will be reflected upon you.”

“She has done nothing wrong!” Hector snapped angrily.

“But they do not know that. All they know is her origin and your reputation. From their perspective, you are not an ideal match that would set a good example for any sort of partnership, business or marriage. From what I gather, you have recently joined in on a large deal that is currently in quite a volatile state. With the Ton’s rising suspicion and your seemingly callous attitude, that deal might be at risk. It looks like while a storm brews, placing all that you have worked for in jeopardy, you are very content, relishing in the company of your wife.” Somerton shrugged.

It pained Hector to admit it, but the man had a good point.

With his latest investments in such a fragile state, it wouldn’t take much for the opportunity to be lost. If that happened, his estate would be in trouble.

Hector wasn’t merely worried for his own well-being but was also greatly concerned for Juliet’s. Lydia had asked him to marry her in a bid to give her dear friend a better life than she had, and he wanted to fulfill all her needs.

To do that, he really had to take his work much more seriously.

“This is ridiculous,” Hector exhaled slowly. “Well, if we must entertain this circus, I shall go out and convince them otherwise. Perhaps, with my personal involvement, they shall realize that their opinions and impressions are misconstrued.”

The Earl nodded. “That is a fine idea, Your Grace. I fear I must warn you, though, it will not be an easy task, but if you manage to sway many in your favor, you can likely turn the situation around to your benefit. Perhaps even gain some support along the way.”

“I have no need for pointless lackeys. What I require is peace of mind to run my business as I see fit and for the subject of my marriage to be the concern of only myself and my wife,” Hector stated with a wave of a hand.

Somerton had an odd expression on his face, something between a grimace and a sneer, but before Hector could decipher what it meant, the man was once again smiling brightly.

“Of course, Your Grace,” he said with a strangely empty tone. “I am sure it will all work out eventually.”

“Do you have to leave?”

At the sound of Juliet’s dismayed voice, it took Hector all of his resistance not to cancel his plans for the day.

“I am afraid so,” he said regretfully, taking his eyes off the servants placing his luggage into the carriage. “There is much to be done, and I must be away from Islington Hall to accomplish at least half of my deeds.”

He did his best not to make matters sound too serious, not wanting to alarm her or make her feel as though any of it was her fault, regardless of what the public opinion was.

Hector would fix it all and give her the life she truly deserved.

Juliet sighed, looking as though she was desperately fighting the urge to pout.

“If you insist…then I shall patiently await your return.”

Hector faced her and placed a soft kiss on the back of her hand, feeling proud as a dark blush spread across her cheeks.

“That is all I ask, darling. I shall return as soon as I am able. If you need anything, anything at all, the staff is at your beck and call. Do not worry, Juliet.”

The Duchess nodded, putting on a lighter expression.

“Safe travels,” she wished him softly, stepping closer. “I shall be right here, eagerly awaiting your return.”

Hector smiled at her gently for a moment then leaned in suddenly, catching her off-guard with a kiss.

“Hector!” she hissed, shyly glancing around, praying none of the staff members were looking at them.

Hector grinned mischievously and tugged her closer, pressing a kiss to her forehead. It was strange how worried he suddenly felt; it made him reluctant to leave, but he knew his responsibilities demanded his attention and left him with no other choice.

“Be well, Juliet,” he whispered to her softly.

Juliet nodded, mumbling back, “And you as well.”

As they pulled back, the coachman came forward and advised, “We are ready to depart, Your Grace.”

Hector nodded in acknowledgment, stepping away from Juliet. He turned to the housekeeper, who was waiting for him expectantly.

“Take good care of the Duchess, Estella.”

“Of course, Your Grace,” the elderly woman curtsied. “Rest assured, she is in good hands.”

With that, Hector felt it was time for him to depart. After one last lingering look at his wife, he stepped away and climbed into the carriage.

“Well then, to Renton Hall.”

Watching Hector leave was difficult for Juliet.

She couldn’t tell if it was because they had grown so close in recent days and she had become attached to him and the future they were building together, or if it was merely because his farewell felt like one that meant they would be apart for much longer than either of them envisioned.

Still, she resolved to remain strong, determined to endure his absence as best as she could.