Nick saw red the moment his sister used the word ‘whore’ in reference to Jem. He barely heard anything else his sister said, his anger so great he was afraid he would do Arabella bodily harm. Instead, he slapped the top of the desk with his open palms, causing the carefully sorted piles of paper to flutter like a flock of birds to the floor. “Enough,” he bellowed.
Bella fell back into the chair in front of him, the color leaving her face. “Nick, you must listen—”
“You,” he slowly stood and came around the side of the desk to face her, “will shut up. Do not dare to utter another word about Jem in my presence.”
Bella’s eyes grew wide. “You must—”
Nick leaned over and grabbed his sister’s elbow, pulling her out of the chair, not caring if he hurt her. “I must what? How I regret ever allowing you to comfort me while I grieved for the woman Ilove.”
“She was not worth your grief, nor is she worth your love. She—”
“Silence!” He shook her, his nose nearly touching hers.
Bella’s nostrils flared, but she stayed silent.
He let go of her arm, pushing her away. “Listen well, sister. I tire of your unceasing litany of hatred for my future wife. That you cannot understand the feeling that lies between Jem and myself tells me how deep rooted your own misery must be. You will not insult her again.”
Bella fisted her hands at her sides but did not look away from his anger. “She is a charlatan.”
Nick turned and beat his fist upon the desk, this time causing a frog shaped paperweight to slide to the floor with a dull thump.Why must Bella be so difficult?
“You’d best reconcile yourself now, sister, to Jem.” Nick grit his teeth, trying to regain control of his emotions. “She will be my duchess, the mother of the Dunbar heir and your blood kin. If you do not treat Jem with the respect due her, you will find yourself shipped off on an extended trip to one of our lesser country estates. Perhaps Twinings?”
That threat hit home. His sister sucked in her breath with shock. “Twinings is cold and dark and inWales.You would not dare. Aunt Maisy would object, not to mentionme. You can’t be serious.” She waited for him to gainsay her and when he did not, she said, “Dear God youareserious. Has she that much power over you then? She tells you to send me away, and you will do it? What lies does she tell you about me to drive a wedge between us?” A short, ugly laugh came from his sister's mouth. “I should have expected as much fromher.”
“Jem has said nothing to me about you, Bella.” Nick watched his sister carefully. “Never in action or word has she maligned you to me, though it appears you have not offered her the same courtesy.”
“I cannot believe you truly mean to marry her, that you cannot see what she is. How can you do this to your family?”
"Stop behaving like a spoiled child, Bella. I tire of your tantrums. You just do not wish to be alone and unmarried with no family of your own. I am not of the same mind.” He pressed his fingers to his temples, exhausted from battling his sister.
“You will see that I am right.” Bella turned on her heel, flinging open the study door so forcefully the knob bounced against the opposite wall. Skirts swirling about her ankles, Bella stormed out, her heels angrily clicking against the tile of the hall.
Nick watched her leave, wondering if he actuallywouldhave to send her to Wales.
He bent to pick up the scattered papers strewn across the floor of the study. As he carefully put them back in order and placed the frog paperweight in its place on his desk, he glanced at the clock hanging over the mantle, determined to push the argument with his sister aside. Jem would be going for the final fitting of her wedding gown, and if he didn’t hurry, he’d miss her.
23
“Iam ridiculously happy,” Jemma informed the butterfly hovering over a spray of roses bushes in her uncle's garden. Humming a merry tune, she gave the butterfly a last look and languidly strolled down the stone path, pausing to chat with a nest of robins in the elm tree above her head. She was delirious with happiness. Drunk with joy. She wished to burst into song like the birds around her.
Her wedding to the infamous Devil of Dunbar would take place in just a few days in the very garden she now stood, much to the dismay of Lady Marsh and Lady Cupps-Foster. Lady Cupps-Foster implored her nephew to change his mind, insisting that the wedding of a duke, especially a Dunbar, should be a much more grand affair.
Nick stood his ground. Only the Marsh family, the Cambournes and Nick's friend, the Earl of Kilmaire, in addition to the Dunbars would attend. Lord Kilmaire had arrived only last night for his stay in London and Jemma had yet to meet him.
Jemma agreed with Nick. She’d no wish to parade herself in front of thetonso that they could pick apart and gossip over every aspect of her wedding. She’d no desire to hear their breathy comments as she walked up the aisle. Theton,Jemma thought, had no idea what the future would hold with the Duchess of Dunbar in their midst. She loved Nick and had made a solemn oath to use her new influence and power to ensure her husband and future children would never suffer thatmalicious pack of fools. In that, she had allies, the Marchioness of Cambourne and the Dowager Marchioness.
“I love him and he loves me,” she told the tiny wren perched on the edge of a stone birdbath.
Nick was her dearest friend. Her lover. Her companion. He took her to shoot at an exclusive gentleman’s club, scandalizing the titled men who frequented that establishment. Striding in with Nick, her wooden box of pistols carried by a footman, she winked at Lord Derby and his son as she took her place next to them. Nick laughed at their discomfort while she bested Lord Derby’s every shot.
He took her riding nearly every day in the park. She rode astride, looking down her nose at any who would question her. None did, of course for Nick hovered next to her, daring anyone to challenge his future duchess. She loved him all the more for allowing her to be who she was.
After their ride, Nick would throw down a blanket, and she and Nick would picnic on the thick grass while Anna acted as chaperone on a bench nearby. They spoke of many things, but mostly of his life before their meeting in Bermuda. The Devil of Dunbar entrusted her with himself and his secrets, a gift that reminded Jemma a bit of Pandora’s box. She did not take his trust in her lightly.
As she held his hand tightly to her heart while he spoke of his past, she sought to comfort the dark, complicated man she adored. While outwardly mysterious and feared for his reputation and sharp wit in theton, Nick was a different man with those close to him. Rowan especially embraced Nick, often accompanying him to White’s to play cards with Lord Cambourne. They dined often with the marquess and his family, and Jemma delighted in the friendship of Lady Miranda, feeling especially proud that the Dowager Marchioness approved of her.
Arabella remained absent from all gatherings, usually pleading a headache. Jemma did not miss her though she knew his sister’s continued absence pained Nick.
