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“Admit it. Bettina is the one who was not satisfied with the amount you stole from one account. I know this because she is the one who went to the forger, not you.”

Jasper met his gaze. “I will not speak against my sister. She only wanted to claim what is rightfully ours. Don’t you understand? Our entire lives, you lived like a prince while we got whatever our father decided to give Mother.”

“I was sent away to boarding school. I was raised by another family,” Alex said, staring at him, daring him to look away. “I have seen Father’s ledgers. The monthly stipend Father gave your mother is staggering. Enough to live at the same level as my own mother. You should have checked everything before going on this desperate journey. Your mother lied to both you and your sister.”

Jasper’s expression changed. Upon arriving in France, he must have been shocked at his mother’s living situation. No doubt the woman lived well on the money she’d been keeping for herself.

“It looks as though our father preferred selfish, distant women,” Alex said. “I’m sorry.”

“Bettina...she is not a good person, but she’s my only sister, and I care deeply for her.”

Alex studied Jasper. There was a bit of resemblance to his father in the shape of his nose and lips; the dark eye color and pale skin he must have gotten from his mother. It was a striking combination. “I regret to get to know you under these circumstances.”

His half-brother shook his head. “Bettina is not Father’s daughter. She was already born when Mother and he met. I think she’s always felt left out because of it. Although he was generous in his affections toward me, he often ignored her.”

There was so much to say, but at the same time not enough. Alex realized that Jasper was young and impressionable. “How old are you?”

“Eighteen.”

“I will speak to the judge on your behalf. However, I doubt there is little that can be done for Bettina. She killed a man.”

Chapter 12

Vivian kept vigil from the dining room table, where everyone had eaten and one by one, meandered away.

Ladies Torrington and Yarnsby, along with her mother, had gone to the Torringtons home to prepare for the Twelfth Night celebration. The duke and her father had gone as well. It was gratifying to see that all the parents got along so well.

Clara and Penelope had gone for a ride to the village, and although they’d insisted she go with them, Vivian wished for some quiet time alone.

“Would you like to go for a walk?” Mary, her wonderful companion, neared and lowered to a chair. “It will make the wait better.”

She reached for Mary’s hand and squeezed it. “You’re right. But I find that I am enjoying the quiet of this moment. How do you feel about moving here with me, Mary?” Vivian had been avoiding asking. The idea of Mary leaving her side saddened her greatly.

Mary looked out the window, her face a study in calmness. “I like this place. It gives me peace. I will not mind it at all.”

Letting out a long breath, Vivian smiled widely. “I was scared to ask you. If you would have preferred to remain in London, it would have broken my heart. Mother would have insisted you remain at the house, so you should not worry about not having employment.”

“I prefer to come here,” Mary said with a soft smile. “It is not so far from London that I cannot see my parents on occasion.” She then added, “I wish to remain with you.”

Mary’s mother was Jamaican and her father British. They were kind people who Vivian had visited with Mary quite a few times.

“They will be welcome to come visit as often as they wish, you know that.”

“Mother will enjoy it so very much. She loves getting away from London on occasion. Someone arrives,” Mary said and stood. “It may be Mr. Yarnsby.”

It was indeed Alexander who entered and went to her directly. He pulled Vivian into a tight hug. It was most unusual for a man to openly show affection, but Vivian loved it.

Vivian melted against him, reassured to know he returned unharmed. “I was afraid something horrible would happen to you.” She lifted her face to him and was rewarded with a soft kiss.

“I will tell you about it. First, allow me to hold you a bit longer.” The hoarseness in his voice made Vivian wonder what had happened, but she refrained from asking and allowed the embrace to linger.

The thought of Alexander becoming a constant in her life brought tingles of excitement. She couldn’t wait to know what it would be like to be fully his. To experience the magic of lovemaking again. Although the night she’d sneaked to his bedchamber, they’d not gone so far as him claiming her virginity, she’d learned enough to know that when it happened, he would not disappoint.

“I cannot wait to live with you and spend every day together,” Vivian said. “I know we will be very happy, Alexander.”

He took a deep breath and slowly released her. When he met her gaze, there was warmth in his. “I missed you. It will be very hard to be away from you until our wedding. Tell me we will not prolong it.”

Vivian bit her bottom lip. “I have an idea.”