Full Circle - A Duke Lost

Chapter 2

Michael arrived at Heathcote ten minutes prior to the allotted time to break the mornings fast with Julian before they set off for the Scottish Highlands. A damnable long hard ride, made harder still because of Michael's reluctance to accompany Julian on what he still felt was an atrocity. Michael knew that the crux of his dislike for Julian's fiancée lay in his own beliefs. He believed in the power of commitment and hard work- a combination of virtues that would endure the harshest of life's storms and provide a shield of such magnitude that its very existence was a privilege for those under his protection. He hoped he would find a depth of affection or even love along the way, the added power of such an alliance being the definitive attainment. For Michael such an experience was the ultimate life goal. He had always set marriage on a sanctimonious pedestal. He was essentially an idealist and he wished desperately his beloved friend would open himself up to the possibility of such a marriage. He just could not see success tied to a marriage in which one was doomed to give, but receive little in return. Michael was convinced that Julian would continue much as he had done for the past ten years of paying for the girl's care. Julian would continue to provide a roof over the girl's head, bestow on her more than a comfortable lifestyle, she would want for nothing and gain a title second to only two. Simply put, in reducing the transaction to wanting only an heir in exchange, Michael saw only disappointment for his friend. He believed that in time Julian would need more from his wife. All men, especially those bestowed with the kind of responsibility which rested on Julian's shoulders, needed more in time.

The golden morning rays cast a dazzling light into the breakfast room and beat warmly on Julian's shoulders. The smoky aroma of bacon filled the room and mingled with a hint of rose essence, that drifted in from the garden displayed proudly just beyond the French doors. The garden had been one of Lady Bramford's favourite pastimes in the months running up to her passing. The simple beauty and strength of the rosebush had been a kind of comfort to her weakening mind. The myriad colours and fragrances reminded Julian of the unrelenting love his mother had shared with the love of her life and the many joyous moments she had spent in that garden in the comfort of her husband's arms. Julian's heart beat only to create warm memories of his own. He wanted the privilege of being able to observe his own wife at peace with herself, surrounded by the brilliance of what she would create in that garden. If he could not find such a woman, he would be content with memories of his children playing happily amongst the trees of Heathcote.

"Remind me how long it has been since you last had the good fortune of meeting Miss Goodwin?" Michael asked, dabbing at the corners of his mouth. He was well aware that continued prodding could push Julian too far and that the subject of Miss Goodwin was fast becoming dangerous territory. Since his arrival, Michael's solemn pondering had not been lost on Julian who eyed his vociferous friend with only a raised eyebrow as a warning. Julian's otherwise calm exterior jabbed at Michael's already wounded interior. He was a true friend and wanted only that Julian make the journey with some reserve.

Julian continued to eye Michael with scepticism. He knew a truthful answer to Michael's question would serve only to increase his apprehension, but he saw no way to avoid the gauntlet. Tiring of his friend's seemingly relentless pursuit to guard him, Julian decided on the approach that had been tried, tested and won many a battle for him before. He would exert his authority.

"I was ten and six years of age at the time which squares the circle at ten and six years since the last visit with my betrothed, the future Duchess of Bramford." Julian intentionally used the word 'betrothed' to send a not so subtle reminder of the certainty with which he was travelling this path and emphasised the authority his soon-to-be wife would hold. He trusted the significance of either message would not be lost on Michael. He was after all a bright man.