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“I wasn’t in the wrong,” Blaire said, her voice shaking. “You were an immature boy, and—”
“Andyouknew that if Reginald was gone, I would receive the title,” Simon interrupted. “For God’s sake, that villain in Southwark revealed you! There is no point in hiding the truth. You see, Reginald, you ruined all her plans when you returned after ten years, so she tried to rid herself of you again. She schemed behind your back, waiting for the opportune moment. And no matter how many times I begged her to stop, she never listened.”
Blaire shook her head. “Fine!” she snapped, practically shaking with rage. “Fine! I did it! But how dare any of you judge me? You haven’t the faintest idea what it’s like to deserve greatness, to deserve riches and power, and to have itjustout of grasp. To be resigned to the role of a widow, invisible to everyone!”
“You weren’t invisible!” the Duke exclaimed, his eyes wide. “You were loved and respected by our family! Wasn’t that enough for you?”
Tears sprang to Blaire’s eyes. “Love will never be enough. You’re a fool if you think otherwise.”
She stormed away, in a twirl of finely embroidered skirts. Marcella let out a breath she hadn’t realized that she was holding. Her mind reeled with the realization thatBlairehad been the cause of all her grievances.
“I’m sorry,” Simon said. “I know that I should’ve…I should’ve been braver. I should’ve stopped her. It was just that I love her. She’s my mother, and she’s the only person who I really have.”
Reginald and his father both looked at one another, the air practically humming with tension. Marcella smiled gently. “You’re right, but you did eventually stand your ground. And I understand. I would do some very foolish things for the people I love, too.”
He returned her smile with an uneasy grin. “Thank you.”
“There is one more thing I want to know,” Reginald said slowly. “Did you have anything to do with Isaac?”
Simon nodded. “I tried to find you, and it took me a very long time. But after much searching and a lot of correspondence with the Bow Street Runners, I found a man who knew of you. We weren’t sure you were the Marquess, of course, but…Isaac assured me that he could arrange a meeting. For a price.”
Reginald let out a harsh laugh. “Isaac persuaded me to rob my own father’s carriage!”
Simon winced. “That wasn’t supposed to happen. I’m sorry about that and for what happened to you, Marcella. I never wanted to bring you into any of this. My guess is that when my mother’s men couldn’t find Reginald immediately, they went after you, assuming you’d be together. There aren’t many aristocratic ladies in Southwark.”
“No, I imagine not,” Marcella agreed.
“Anyway,” Simon said, some of his old coldness returning. “I ought to take my leave. I’m quite sure that you’ve much to discuss, and I won’t ask that any of you exhibit mercy. Neither my mother nor I really deserve it from you.”
As Simon turned to leave, Reginald climbed to his feet. “Wait!”
Simon halted and turned around. His posture was tense and anxious, as if he expected Reginald to strike him right then and there. Instead, Reginald extended his hand and smiled wryly. “We may never be friends,” Reginald agreed, “because we do have such great differences in opinion, but I’ve also done many things I’m not proud of. Fortunately, I’ve been allowed to make amends for those mistakes. I’ve been given so many chances, and I think the gracious thing would be to extend that same mercy to you.”
“You don’t have to,” Simon said.
“I know, but I want to. And if it weren’t for you, I might have never returned home. I would have never realized that…what I really want is to be Marcella’s husband and to be here with my family. I’ve always hesitated because I felt like I was alone among theton,” Reginald said, his gaze drifting towards Marcella. “Now, I know that isn’t true.”
Simon hesitantly raised his hand, and the men shook hands. “Thank you, Cousin,” Simon said.
“You’re very welcome.”
Simon nodded, and with a hesitant smile, he left.
Marcella gazed at her husband, admiring him in a way that she hadn’t before. He’d been as kind to her, and she realized that she’d taken that for granted. She hadn’t realized just how noble her dear husband was all this time.
The Duke rose from his chair. “And would you also show some mercy towards a foolish, old man who was so lost in his grief that he could not find any gentleness to offer his son?”
Reginald nodded. “You don’t even need to ask, Father. But I would also beg you for forgiveness. Ever since I’ve returned, I’ve thought harshly of you. I resented you for forcing me into this position and in pushing me to marry Marcella, and I spared so few thoughts for how you must’ve suffered all this time.”
The Duke of Mavis didn’t answer. Instead, he pulled his son into a tight embrace. Reginald stiffened, but he slowly relaxed and raised a hand to pat his father’s back. Marcella smiled, something warm and light blooming inside her like a rose opening to the sun.
“You must visit often,” Marcella said. “You and my husband will have so much to speak about.”
“And such a long absence to correct,” Reginald replied. “Yes.”
When their embrace ended, Reginald’s father smiled. “I’m so—I’m so disappointed by everything I’ve learned today, and I’ll have to consider carefully how I approach these matters. But I’m glad you invited me, and I want you to know that I am so proud of you. I couldn’t have a better son.”
Reginald inclined his head. “Thank you, Father.”
