Justin snorted. “That is an understatement. The woman is a monster. She never liked him. From what I understand, she was angry that he was born. The moment Sebastian’s father had his heir, he completely abandoned his wife to the countryside. She blamed her own son. How insane is that? Sebastian always told me he never wanted a marriage like that. Which is precisely why it’s a pity you two are so stubborn.”

Veronica frowned again. “He said that? That he didn’t want a marriage like that?”

“Who would?” Justin replied. “He’s always wanted a marriage based on love. And he thought he’d found one until you two had your…ahem…unfortunate falling out.”

Veronica’s breaths came in hard pants, little clouds in the cold air. What was Justin saying? What could he possibly mean? Sebastian had wanted a love match? How could that possibly be true? He’d never even told her he loved her. She’d just…wished…guessed…realized she’d been wrong about it the entire time. And he’d certainly mentioned nothing about wanting a marriage based on love.

Ha. Some love. The man barely made it eight weeks before lying to her…before returning to his mistress. She shook her head to clear it of thoughts of Sebastian. Justin’s words changed nothing. Sebastian had clearly been trying to win over her brother with empty sentiments. What else would he say to his wife’s brother, of all people?

But it was more difficult to erase the thought of Sebastian’s mother blaming him for his father’s infidelity, for his father leaving his mother in the country to rot. Veronica sucked in a breath. Wasn’t that what she was doing? Rotting in the country? Only she was there by choice, and if by some miracle she was already with child, she would love her baby fiercely and do anything to protect him from unhappiness or strife.

Her brother cleared his throat, jolting her from her muddled thoughts. “Tell me, what are your plans after you leave Whitmore Manor? Will you be returning to the countryside?” Justin asked.

Veronica bit her lip. “No, I, er…Sebastian and I are going back to London, until after Twelfth Night.”

Justin’s brows snapped together. “Twelfth Night?”

She nodded. “Sebastian asked me to attend Hazeltons’ ball with him, to stop the gossip about our marriage. You didn’t think he agreed to come here for nothing in return, did you?” Of course, she had no intention of informing her brother of Sebastian’s other condition.

Justin grinned. “Ah, I see. Quite clever of the old boy, really. Hmm. I assume you will pretend you’re a happy couple at the Hazeltons’ ball as well?”

“That’s right,” she replied with a sigh.

Justin cocked his head to the side. “Don’t you tire of pretending?”

She turned to face him. “What was that?”

“Oh, nothing,” Justin replied. “I’ll return to London with you. We can all travel together, and when we get to London, I have another gift for you…for you and Sebastian.”

Chapter Fifteen