Page 63 of The Marquess of Secrets

Once alone, Harrison moved to sit next to her. “Comfortable?”

She gave him a smile. “Yes. Perhaps you should tell me again the plans for the next few days.”

In order for me to prepare for them. Steel my spine.

“I imagine Mother will have a light tea set up for our arrival. There you will meet the rest of the family along with the two brides-to-be. There will be no formal dinner tonight. After tea, you will be shown to your room, a bath drawn if you like, and you will be able to relax the rest of the evening, no doubt a tray brought to your room of whatever you wish.”

“Sounds heavenly,” she sighed.

“Tomorrow, after a hearty breakfast, we will venture to the residential home so you may have a good inspection and see if it is to your liking.” He arched an eyebrow. “Are you sure you don’t mind me moving ahead with these plans?”

“I’m merely a guest. Please, continue.”

“Tomorrow evening is the pre-wedding dinner. Just family, but formal. The next morning? The double wedding and accompanying breakfast. Again, family and a few close friends. No huge crowds to contend with. A relief for Spence and all of us, I imagine.”

“Yes.” She caught his gaze and smiled. “And then?”

“We make plans. You will tell me what you want to do next. If you do not like the residential home, I can find any number of similar places for you to inspect.”

Harrison laced his fingers through hers. Even through their gloves, there was no mistaking the heat passing between them. The awareness. Not only passion but deeper emotions. Ones she couldn’t acknowledge right now.

“Allow me to thank you once again. You have been incredibly patient with me. Kind. Generous.”

“May I kiss you?” Harrison murmured, nuzzling her neck.

So caring of her feelings, her precarious situation, frayed nerves, and damaged self-confidence.

“Yes.”

This kiss was everything tender yet searing. Not like the fierce one the previous night, but gentle, packing more emotion than she had experienced before.

The kiss no sooner ended when the carriage slowed. After disembarking, everyone was swept up into a tornado of action.

Lydia barely got to inspect the Georgian mansion before she was standing in a room in front of the Duke and Duchess of Gransford.

A handsome couple, it was not hard to see where the brothers got their looks.

Introductions were made, warm greetings exchanged. The duke and duchess were genuinely pleased to see their sons again.

Moments later, two women entered, the brides-to-be, Lydia surmised. After more introductions, cloaks and coats were taken, and tea trays brought into the room.

Everyone was seated on the multiple settees, everyone except Harrison. He stood facing everyone, his hands clasped behind his back.

“I want to tell you all something before we continue with the festivities of this happy event. I have been a fool. A misguided coward who thought I kept secrets to protect the family. I’ve come to realize that I was doing it more to protect myself—from censure and scrutiny.”

“What is it, Son?” The duke asked, his tone soft.

“Since graduating from university, I’ve been practicing medicine clandestinely. For the past five years, I have been—along with Sam Kenward and the nuns of St. Stepney church—running an underground clinic. Literally underground, in a partially dug and abandoned train tunnel in the East End. I have used my own funds near to depletion. That generous trust you gifted me with is all but gone. I’ve lied to you for more years than I care to count.”

Harrison started pacing back and forth.

“I am no more a rake than I am a courageous man. It’s all been lies. Exaggerated by my staff, thinking to protect me. I had no idea they knew of my secret. The rumors were more scandalous than I was aware. Again, I’m sorry as it reflects on you all. What does it say that I didn’t mind such talk about my supposed wicked ways, but I didn’t want my medical mission public? Nothing good that is for certain.”

Harrison paused, turned, and faced his family. Lydia looked at them. The brothers and their ladies were shocked, as was the duke.

The duchess’s lower lip trembled, tears welling in her eyes.

“How could you?” his mother whispered. “How could you keep this from us, your parents, your family. At least Tremain told us of his plans before he withdrew from us to be a vicar!”