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“If your brother would be selfish enough not to see why you have done everything you have, then why should you keep endeavoring to earn his good opinion at the expense of your own sadness? No, that is no way to live.” She stood tall, impressing him.
For the first time, James thought how like a duchess Marina looked. It was not because of the fine gown or the jewelry she wore but because of that look, that confidence.
“You should attend the assembly tonight for your own enjoyment,” she insisted, her voice buoyant. “Either in time your brother will come to see the good in you and realize he was not understanding, or he will keep his distance. Either way, you enjoy yourself then. You will not be made sad by his distance.”
James shifted his weight between his feet, eyeing his wife closely.
“What is it?” she asked, her hands slipping away from his chest.
“I was just thinking you have wisdom in you, Marina. A wisdom that you perhaps do not always reveal.” He couldn’t help smiling at her, thrilled when she returned that look.
“Another compliment?” She laughed. “Well, this must be a record for one evening.”
James’ own smile faltered when there was a knock at the door. He went to answer it before Mr Pitt-Rivers could return and opened it to find a messenger boy, holding out a letter.
“Correspondence for the Duke of Curton.” The boy passed the letter over, and James gave him a coin or two for his troubles.
Looking down at the letter, James frowned, not recognizing the handwriting on the envelope. The seal was blank on the back too, the red wax plain, bearing no family emblem.
“A matter of business, is it?” Marina called to him, crossing to the door, preparing to go.
“I do not know.” James tore open the envelope, allowing his eyes to dance quickly across the page.
‘Dear Duke of Curton,
Your business matters have extended far and invaded too many lives. You throw men’s livelihoods into jeopardy and their families’ lives too.
The time has come to show you what that jeopardy is like, to reveal to you the fear and terror of knowing one of your own is in such danger.
I hear your new wife is making herself quite at home in your house. I’d hate to see anything happen to her.
Curtail your business, or you will discover what jeopardy I speak of.’
There was no name at the bottom of the letter. James felt abruptly sick, and his stomach tightened into a knot as he looked at Marina. She was smiling sweetly, hurrying toward him, none the wiser as to the threat that rested in that letter, directed at her.
Someone wishes to hurt her. No… I vowed in church no one would ever hurt her. Ever!
“James? What is it?” she asked, her smile faltering as she recognized his expression. Unable to speak, he handed her the letter, knowing she had to know. She read it as quickly as he had done before she looked up, her face pale. “What does this mean?”
“It means we are being threatened,” he said, his voice low. “Someone resents my business.”
“They intend to hurt…” She broke off, swallowing hard.
“Nothing will happen to you, Marina.” He stepped toward her with intent, needing her to hear the words. “You will be kept safe; I promise you that.”
“How can you promise such a thing?” She held out the letter. “We don’t even know who sent this.”
“You are not to leave the house without me or one of my best men with you. They’ll keep you safe.”
“I beg your pardon?” She looked at him, flummoxed, before her voice rose in volume. “James, I am not made of glass.”
“It is my order, Marina – until we find out who sent this letter.”
CHAPTER12
“Goodness, and the letter is genuine? It is not some awful prank?” Caroline clutched to her glass of wine, her hand trembling a little as Marina told her the story of the letter that had been sent that evening. She and Caroline were huddled in a corner of the assembly room where they had spent the last hour at least.
They had discussed much of what had passed this last week though Marina kept secret the passion and the excitement that had passed between her and James. She said only enough to let Caroline know that she was not disappointed by her husband.
