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The funeral was held a few days later. Jasper attended along with his mother and his brother. The service was a grim reminder—a lady had been murdered. Taken from her husband and children. As the Duke, it was Jasper’s duty to see that the Regent’s justice be carried out.
They stood around the gravesite in the little churchyard, as the rain began to fall. When Jasper glanced back, he could see Lady Selina, dressed in black. It was meant to look severe; instead, it made her hair that much more golden, her skin that much more like fresh cream.
He stepped over to Lord Langley. “My sincerest condolences, My Lord,” he said.
Langley’s eyes streamed with tears. “I truly loved her,” he replied, sniffling, “and love her, still.”
“At least you have your children, to comfort you in your grief,” he said, even feeling how weak his sentiments were.
“As a young married gentleman, soon, I hope that you will know what it’s like to love,” Lord Langley said.
“I certainly hope so,” Jasper replied.
He offered his mother his arm, and she accepted it. They began to head through the gravestones.
“I’d like to stop by your father’s,” she said.
“All right,” he replied. When he turned to look for his brother, Reuben was already following after them.
They moved in that direction, going to stand by it. Already, moss had begun to grow on the stone. It read: His Grace, Frederick Munro, Duke of Gillingham. He had been dead these past five years, leaving Jasper his own master.
“He wasn’t a bad husband,” their mother mused, “just very strict.”
“He had a temper,” Jasper said. “He took it out on all of us.”
“Yes,” she whispered. “I was always very afraid that you and your brother would have tempers like his.”
“To think that no one even knew about it,” he mused. “He hid it so well.” His father had presented himself as two very different gentlemen—there was the gentleman he’d been when it had just been the family, a gentleman with a frightening temper, who wanted to be obeyed without question. And then, there had been the gentleman who he’d been, out among society—a carefree individual who was kind and caring.
“Yes,” she agreed.
“And we helped him hide it,” Reuben added bitterly.
“We’ve been blessed that you two got my temperament,” their mother was quick to add.
“That we have,” Jasper said. “And we’re both much better for it.”
Jasper and his brother smiled at each other.
“Come,” their mother said. “We need to attend the luncheon.”
* * *
Leah found herself touched by the service. Lord Langley had said some words by the graveside. They were heartfelt. She felt a tear escape, down her cheek, as she watched him finally turn away from his wife’s grave. She pulled out her handkerchief, wiping at her eye.
“It’s so terrible,” Selina said, beside her. “That he had to lose her this way.”
“It is,” Leah agreed. “But I suppose that this sort of emotion comes when one has been married for long.”
“Naturally,” her mother pointed out. “When one has been a part of the close partnership of matrimony, that’s what happens.”
“The wedding was called off,” Selina said in a monotone.
“Postponed,” Leah replied coldly. “I mean to use the time to my advantage.”
“How so, cousin?” Selina asked.
“I’m going to make him fall in love with me,” Leah said. “He’s always been so obsessed with it; I think I’ll give him what he’s asked for.”
