“Will the Comtesse accept Sir Marcus’ proposal?” Hannah mused as they ate dinner the following evening.
“Sir Marcus likely made that offer while he was drunk,” George said, raising his wine goblet to his lips.
“I have it on good authority that he did not drink at all that night.” Hannah gave Natalie a knowing look. “He was simply besotted by the Comtesse.”
George set his glass down. “Perhaps I should visit Dale’s one of the nights the Comtesse makes an appearance. I would like to see her.”
Natalie choked on the potatoes she had just attempted to swallow, and she began to cough profusely. George immediately placed a hand on her back, encouraging her cough, while Hannah stared at her with wide-worried eyes.
Natalie glared at her when she calmed, and George asked, “What happened?” Hannah bit back a laugh and looked away, forcing a large bite of potatoes into her mouth.
Natalie coughed again. “I ate too quickly. Do not worry, George.”
He nodded and glanced at Hannah, frowning. “You should eat slower, sister.” He turned back to Natalie. “As I was saying, I would like to see what the fuss about this Comtesse is all about.”
“I heard she does not go out often.”
“I shall have to take the chance.” He grinned. “Who knows, maybe I might offer for her if I find her—”
“No!” Natalie and Hannah cried at once, and he looked from one to the other in confusion. “The Comtesse is not right for you,” Hannah quickly added.
“Why not?”
Hannah’s gaze met hers, and they quietly agreed to keep George away from Dale’s. How they would go about such a task was another thing entirely. “Brother, you appear to have forgotten that she is the Rogue’s mistress, and you are a nobleman.”
“I thought you said the rogue could be a nobleman,” George argued. He seemed to be earnestly curious about the Comtesse.
“He might be,” Hannah answered, “but she is his mistress and you are an Earl. This is not done in our society.”
He laughed. “I can still marry her and live in a cottage in Scotland or even France where no one knows me.”
Now they knew he was jesting, and Natalie breathed out in relief. A sudden commotion in the front hall drew all of their attention before they could continue the conversation, and George shot to his feet.
He was about to go out into the hall when Oliver stormed into the dining room, with the worried butler on his heels.
“My Lord, I tried to tell him that you are dinin—”
“Be quiet, old man!” Oliver snapped at the butler.
“Do not speak to him in that manner!” Natalie interceded, giving the butler an apologetic look and a nod for him to leave.
“What do you want?” George demanded. “What gives you the right to barge into our home at this time?”
"Your home!” Oliver scoffed, turning hawkish gray eyes at Hannah. “I have come to collect what is owed to me, Clifford," he continued insolently, and Natalie moved to stand in front of Hannah, feeling her tense. She reached behind and took her cousin’s hand, squeezing reassuringly.
"Nothing is owed to you in this house, Ecklehill. Now, if you have any respect left for yourself, you would leave quietly or—"
"Or you would have me thrown out?" Oliver interrupted with a laugh. "Of my own house? Need I remind you that your time under this roof is running out if you do not give me the compensation I demand?”
“How dare you!” Natalie spat. “Only a coward would touch his boot to the ribs of a man on the ground.”
“You dare speak to me like that, Natalie?” Oliver glared at her.
“How else should I speak to you when your single objective in life is to torment my family?”
“Your father refused to give me what I truly wanted the first time, but by God, I will have it this time.” He was referring to the marriage offer he made after taking most of their fortune. His pride and honor wounded more than anything, her father had refused to allow him to marry Natalie, and called him an evil demon for making such a request after what he had done to them.
Natalie would have rather died a thousand times than marry him. Now he was back, and he wanted Hannah. She would rather die, too, than let him have her. “Do what you want, Oliver,” Natalie ground out. “You will not marry any woman in this family.” She said that with confidence that was only on the surface.
