She turned, her eyes wide, with a tumult of emotion that was easy for him to see.
“Ewan, there’s something I must tell you.” Her voice was steady, but her hands betrayed her nerves.
He moved closer, reaching out to offer her comfort.
“No. Please.” Her voice was a whisper as she stepped away from him, her hand raised in a silent plea that he not come closer.
He stopped, his arms falling to his sides.
“My mother… she’s found a suitor.” She stared at the blue Aubusson carpet. “She believes it’s the answer to our family’s problems, so you see, I can’t—”
“Yes, you can. You don’t have to marry your mother’s suitor.” His voice was firm. “I already know, and I have a plan.”
Her gaze snapped up to meet his. “You do?”
“Before I tell you more, there is something you must know.” He drew in a breath, the air seemingly heavier with the gravity of his admission. “Juliet, the Aurington name is not merely a title—it’s a legacy with a centuries-old edict. The heir must marry before his thirtieth birthday to secure the lineage and estate’s future. As my father’s oldest son and Marquess of Glenraven, I am bound by this duty, a charge that ensures the continuity of our line and the preservation of our estate.” He paused to give her a moment. “I sought a wife at Lady Gladstone’s gala, but fate presented me with an unforeseen treasure. Instead, I found… my soul mate.”
Juliet’s eyes widened with realization. “Aunt Geraldine told me about the edict at Lady Gladstone’s Gala. You wereconcerned that I would think you were manipulative and devious.” Her laughter was touched with irony and softened with understanding. “What a pair we are. We’re both afraid to disappoint the other. But I don’t see how your situation solves my problem.”
“Marry me.” He stepped forward and cradled her hands with his own. “Now. Hughes and Duncan are in the library, prepared to accompany us to the Archbishop of Canterbury and secure—”
“A special license?” Her words were barely above a whisper, and her eyes were wide in disbelief.
Glenraven’s expression grew somber, a jovial marquess replaced by a man bearing the gravity of an untold secret. “Yes. But there is more to our story, a complication. Someone has threatened my family and implied my father’s mishap wasn’t accidental.” He moved closer, her presence a refuge. “We’ll need to marry secretly and live apart until the threat ends. But more importantly, you must understand that marrying me means you may be in danger, too.”
In the silence that followed, Juliet’s eyes met his, with a storm of consideration churned behind them. After a moment, she nodded, her decision made. “Together, then,” she said, her voice a whisper of courage.
His relief was unmistakable. “Together,” he confirmed, their fates now irrevocably intertwined. He closed the distance between them, his gaze locked with Juliet’s. The air seemed still, heavy with their undeclared promise. His hands gently cradled her face as he leaned down, his lips finding hers in a kiss that was tender proof of their unspoken vows.
The world outside faded, leaving only the sensation of Juliet’s soft and yielding lips against his. The kiss deepened, a slow dance of intimacy that spoke of shared secrets and the promise of a future together. It was a kiss that sealed theirfate, binding them with a passion that whispered of love and a defiance of the dangers ahead.
“Together,” he murmured against her lips, “we will create our own destiny.”
Juliet’s response was immediate. Her lips sought his with an enthusiasm that she didn’t try to contain. She answered his declaration not with words but with action.
Her hands rose to frame his face, pulling him closer and deepening their embrace. She was wholly devoted, her heart and soul entwined with his in the silent language of love that needed no words to be understood.
“Come with me. Duncan and Hughes are in the library.” Glenraven, still holding Juliet’s hand, led her to where they waited. The door swung open to reveal the two men standing amidst the rows of leather-bound books. Their faces turned in unison towards them.
Duncan beamed as he came forward to greet them. “It seems congratulations are due,” he said warmly. “The days ahead look all the brighter with you two at the helm.”
Hughes stepped forward, offering a respectful nod. “Indeed, Miss Hayward, you have our best wishes. This is a cause for celebration.”
The library, a sanctuary of silent musings, now buzzed with a pleasant warmth, its air charged with the profound excitement of shared anticipation and fellowship. Glenraven’s fingers tenderly entwined with Juliet’s, a soft caress of the promising romance between them, and his profound gratitude for her bravery and trust.
“We need to go to the archbishop.” Hughes removed his watch from his pocket. “It’s close to noon. We want to see His Excellency before he goes out for the afternoon.”
With the matter settled and their course set, they made their way to the carriage. As they settled into their seats, Juliet feltthe ace of hearts in her pocket, a reminder of Bradley and the shadow quest. Her curiosity surfaced.
“Ewan, what is the shadow quest you mentioned?” she asked, her voice filled with intrigue.
Ewan’s gaze lingered on her, noting her interest. “The shadow quest is akin to a scavenger hunt. It’s a series of clues that lead to… something of significance. My cousin and I played the game as boys, racing through Aurington Manor’s halls and the grounds, deciphering each clue.”
Juliet listened intently, her mind already turning over the possibilities. “And the ace of hearts?” Her question was casual yet pointed.
“It’s a pivotal piece in the game. It’s not an ordinary card. It leads to the next clue.”
He studied her for a moment, a question dawning. “Juliet, why all these questions about the shadow quest and the ace of hearts?”
