“Just as Waterstone promised me.” There was a wolfish flash of teeth before Dufton continued. “A beautiful, slightly stupidlady of good birth. Docile. Malleable. One who knows her duty. Do you know your duty, Miss Waterstone?”
“Yeth.”Her fingers splayed out on the leather seat.
Dufton reached out to squeeze her knee. “Look at me, Miss Waterstone.”
Lucy regarded him warily.
“Ah, I see a glimmer of defiance,” he declared. “Best you rid yourself of it before too long.” His fingers dug into her thigh. “Was Estwood in the park because of you today? I warn you, be truthful.”
Lucy adamantly shook her head. Why would he assume such a thing? “No.”
“I hope, for your sake, he was not. If you think you can circumvent me or make your own agreement, think again.”
She stared at her lap, fingers twisting about, trying to control her breathing. Fear blotted out everything else. She had no idea what Dufton meant. Did Father know what sort of man the earl was?
Swallowing her fear, Lucy tried to pry her tongue from her teeth but failed. “We do notthuit,” she said softly, attempting to sound confident. Brave. Father couldn’t actually force her to wed Dufton. She was a grown woman.
“I beg your pardon?” Dufton tightened his fingers, and Lucy let out a gasp at the sudden sting. “What did you say?”
“We—are—unthuitable.”
“That’s adorable, Miss Waterstone. Not the lisp, that’s atrocious. But thinking you have a choice in matters. Allow me to be blunt since you fail to grasp your situation. And don’t speak. I prefer you silent until I say otherwise.” His hand retreated only to smack the palm against the leather seat to make his point.
Lucy jumped, then shrank back as far from Dufton as possible in a small carriage.
“Gerald Waterstone, your illustrious father,” Dufton said with great mockery, “isdrowningin debt and bad decisions. Mrs. Waterstone adores luxury and can’t wait to be rid of you. Even under the best circumstances, you are a burden.”
Rather impolite of him.
“Fortunately, Waterstone has something I want. And in return, I’ll make him whole. Oh…” He leaned over, breath fanning her cheek. “It isn’tyou, Miss Waterstone.”
No, Lucy hadn’t expected that it would be.
A peal of laughter filled the carriage as the vehicle rocked forward. “I don’t want this marriage any more than you do, but you’ll satisfy my mother, who does want me wed. She isn’t particular about the lady, as it happens. And it would be in your best interests,pet”—he smacked the seat with his palm again—“not to anger me. Or go behind my back. So I would advise you to stay as far away from Estwood as possible.”
Because Estwood wanted Marsden. As did Dufton, that much had been made clear at dinner.
But she had nothing to do with Marsden. Didn’t know what it was.
I don’t even have a dowry.
“Do you understand, my darling peahen? Nod if you do.”
Lucy slowly nodded, shocked at the horrible turn her day had taken. No more than an hour ago, she’d thought marriage to Dufton might be pleasant and offer her escape. How ill-advised that had been.
“Did I mention, Miss Waterstone, that I have been previously married?” Dufton waved a hand as if they were discussing nothing more important than the weather. “I was barely more than a lad at the time. My father arranged the match. My dear wife had more than a streak of defiance. In fact, her constant disobedience was enough to merit the examination of a physician, given her outbursts. Unfortunately, it was a sign of amuch deeper malady.” Dufton gave her a mournful look. “I was forced to place her in a sanitarium. For her own safety, of course. Such a shame, don’t you agree?”
Lucy’s eyes widened. She stared down at her lap, not daring to move. Breathe.
He clucked his tongue. “Well, as you can imagine, my mother was disappointed. No heir, you see. Sadly, my wife never recovered.” He cocked his head. “Have you ever visited a sanitarium, Miss Waterstone?” When she didn’t respond, he snapped his fingers before her. “Answer me. Nod.”
Lucy nodded obediently, tongue firmly glued to her teeth. Unable to speak, at least coherently. The walls of the carriage loomed closer. She would suffocate here, with Dufton. He was a beast. A horrible person. Worse than she could have possibly imagined.
And I am not brave.
One hand shot out, cupping her chin so hard, a small cry of pain erupted from her lips. “You wouldn’t last long in such a place, Miss Waterstone. You’re far too delicate. Like a cobweb. Flimsy, with no substance to speak of. I don’t care for cobwebs, as it happens. I tear them apart and brush them to bits whenever possible.” He chuckled as he released her. “I do wonder if your little speech problem is a sign of an unstable mind. Wouldn’t that be my poor luck?”
She sucked in a breath. Lucy could argue her luck was far worse.
