“Good.” Dariell pressed his hands together in prayer. “Now, correct me if I am wrong, but this all began with an offer of marriage, no?”
“I suppose it did,” Devlin replied.
“Then we must assume Ambrose had a reason to offer for Miss Bromfield. Was it for her connections, her dowry? Was it for love?”
Juliet recalled the couple’s intimate encounters in the garden. They had appeared like two people in lust as opposed to love. If Ambrose had truly loved Hannah, nothing would have prevented the marriage.
“Ambrose did not need her money.” Devlin sounded affronted at the prospect. “And a family with our lineage is already well connected.”
Juliet couldn’t help but touch her husband’s arm. “And while I witnessed them locked in many passionate clinches, they did not share the soul-deep connection that speaks of true love.”
As the words left her lips, it was as if her love for Devlin multiplied inside her body, pushing and pressing for freedom, until she could no longer contain the powerful sensation. Now was not the time to tell him, but the energy radiated from her, spilling out into the room.
Perhaps Devlin felt it, too, for he took her hand in his and held it as if he had no intention of ever letting go.
“So what was his reason for offering for the lady?” Dariell asked.
Silence ensued.
After a brief time, Devlin said, “Ambrose can only have offered out of a sense of duty. He wanted sons, enough to secure the Drake name for generations. He doubted my ability to shoulder the responsibility should it fall to me.”
“What?” Juliet could not contain her surprise. “But you’re the most honourable man I know. I am confident you would do everything in your power to ensure the Blackwater Estate thrived in your care.”
Devlin’s warm eyes settled on her. “Your faith in me touches my heart.”
“It is the truth,” she said, choking back a sudden surge of emotion.
A look passed between them. One that needed no explanation. One that went beyond words or gestures.
“Excellent,” Dariell said, breaking the spell. “And so what would have forced a man of Ambrose’s integrity to break an oath?”
“Nothing.” Devlin seemed most adamant.
“Nothing?” Dariell frowned. “We know that is not true. Something prompted him to change his mind. Perhaps you should ponder that thought.”
The more Dariell asked his probing questions, the more confusion melted away. Why had they not spoken to him earlier?
Devlin took a moment to answer. “Perhaps Ambrose learnt something about Miss Bromfield’s character, something he found unsavoury. Perhaps she was too free with her affections.”
Juliet had to agree it was a possibility. When one craved attention, inevitably some men took advantage. Though Juliet had never heard talk of a scandal, and her father would have paid handsomely to silence any gossip.
“Oui, it is possible. Your brother, did you say he was a godly man?”
“He inherited his piety from our parents.” Devlin gave a mocking snort. It told Juliet all she needed to know about his childhood. “Some of us chose not to listen.”
It was not to his detriment. Juliet would not change her husband for the world. Anyone could preach of moral principles and love for all mankind. In Juliet’s limited experience, those who were truly caring did not need to force their opinions on others or ensure the whole world knew of their benevolence.
Dariell fell silent for a time before asking, “And he did not write to tell you of his betrothal? He did not write to tell you why he had a change of heart?”
“No. He wrote to tell me of our grandmother’s death, mentioned a few minor problems, and I never heard from him again.”
Juliet wondered how he’d come to learn of his brother’s demise. Was it a blunt letter from a solicitor informing him of all he had lost, all he had gained? Was it a letter from a friend expressing their deepest condolences?
“What sort of minor problems?” It was the sudden pang in Juliet’s heart that made her ask, not her logical brain. Perhaps Devlin had taken his brother’s words literally. She was still hoping for a clue.
“He spoke of unrest in the house amongst the servants, which is understandable considering they’d served my grandmother most of their lives. Mrs Barbary was particularly affected by her death. Ambrose spouted something religious as a means of dealing with the matter.”
Devlin rose from the chair. He crossed the room to the drinks tray, poured brandy into a crystal tumbler and swallowed the contents without pause. Juliet and Dariell declined his offer of refreshment, and so Devlin returned to his seat.