But he had never been in love with Tilly before.
“He may have broken her damn nose. I apologize for losing my head. It is completely out of character for me. I am sorry for the imposition.”
“Stop.” The duke walked over to his sideboard and poured two glasses of scotch. He handed one to Henry. “Well done.” He waited a minute, looking out into the room before he leaned back against his desk and crossed his ankles. “My father treated my mother that way, and on the bad nights, me as well. I vowed never to tolerate it as I grew older.”
Henry silently sipped the scotch. The liquid burned the cut by his lip. “I need to marry her now,” he whispered finally.
The duke set his glass down on his desk. “Yes. That is what is required of us, those of us with honor anyhow. I don’t know you very well, but Stephen promised me you are an excellent barrister. And I could use some advice.”
“I’m not sure…”
“Even dukes find trouble, especially those of us who had a bit of a wild streak before the old man died.”
“It’s a complicated matter. One that might require another visit now that I will help coordinate your wedding.”
The office door opened, and Tilly was led back inside. Her face had been roughly washed up, but there was still blood dried by her nose. Everything within him ached to hold her, to ensure nothing like that would happen again, but there would be time for that.
“Mr. Haskett is presently being escorted back to London where he will be assisted in leaving the city. I now own the theater. And I will be facilitating your wedding to Lord Devlin, Miss Brennan.”
Tilly’s eyes widened in shock. “No, can’t we somehow keep it quiet? I can’t marry the earl.”
Henry’s heart sank. He downed the rest of his scotch and set it on the desk, straightening. “I realize this is not ideal, but it is the best way I can protect you.”
“No, you don’t understand. Even if we marry, Roger has a secret that can destroy me and my entire family. And I will not see you involved. I never wished… I only needed a moment’s escape. I didn’t mean for everyone to become involved. But now that he has been embarrassed, Roger will see that I won’t act in London again.”
“We can help,” the duke said. “If you can trust us, tell us the secret, we will ensure that no harm comes of it.”
Tilly braced her hands on her stomach, shaking her head. “I can’t… I mean, I have never once confessed it. It’s much too risky. Roger only knows because he overheard me speaking with my sister, and he has been blackmailing me for months now.”
Henry approached Tilly, grabbing her hands in his. He bent down and whispered, “Tell us, Tilly. Let me keep you safe.”
She glanced up, tears in her eyes. “You will hate me.”
He shook his head. “Not possible.”
“I vow never to speak of it to a soul, Miss Brennan,” the duke said from behind him.
“I have a son.”
Henry’s body stiffened. He had expected nearly everything except that.
“I fell in love with an older man in Dublin. He was an actor, but once I was with child, he left me. I’ve raised my son here in London under the guise of my youngest brother, but he is mine. And Roger threatened to leak that to the gossip rags, knowing I would have to flee the city. He knew how precious my reputation was to me.”
“A son,” the duke repeated. “I can help. First, let’s see you two married, and we will keep the marriage a secret until Mr. Haskett is out of London…”
The duke continued, but Henry was too distracted watching shame wash over Tilly’s face. She couldn’t look him in the eye, and he didn’t like that one bit.
“What’s his name?” His voice was rough from yelling at Mr. Haskett.
“Hmm?” Then she finally looked up, the corners of her mouth turning up slightly, righting the world. There, that was what he had been looking for. Her smile. Her hands held in his. Her beautiful eyes, clear. “Ethan.”
Ethan.
“How old is he?”
“He’s five.”
Five years, well before London. Not that it mattered. It didn’t to him. “I don’t hate you. I don’t believe that to ever be possible.”
“We hardly know one another.”
“I look forward to correcting that.”
“Henry, this is ridiculous. We cannot marry. You are Earl Devlin now. You wish to marry a London actress?”
“I want to marry Matilda Brennan. You could be a fisherwoman for all I care.”
She laughed, wiping at her tears.
The duke approached and clapped his hand on Henry's shoulder. “See that Miss Brennan is looked after tonight. I will arrange for a small wedding by Christmas. Rest assured that your secret is safe with me. Good evening.”
Tilly and Henry left the duke alone in his office.
And Henry left betrothed, with a stepson he had yet to meet.
Tilly didn’t dare glance back as she walked to her rooms with Henry on her heels. She couldn’t stomach what would come once they found peace behind closed doors.
