The bars of her cage clanged.
“You have already found me a husband? And so quickly?” she hissed. “You couldn’t wait for a ripping good day at Tattersall’s to do the deed?”
“Lady Allegra, despite everything of which you accuse me, Idowish to see you properly settled and your future secured.”
“By selling me to a man I do not know and was not permitted a single opinion in choosing? Do not attempt to turn your high-handed domineering into some sort of martyred goodness.”
“You are hysterical, and such language is most unbecoming of a—”
Oh!“You auction me off, body and soul, to some unknown man who will take me to his bed andruthis pleasure on my body, very likely against my will—”
“Enough with your vulgarities!”
“—a man who will then own me like chattel for the rest of my life, all for the sole purpose of furtheringyourpolitical aims. And if I protest this treatment, I am then branded as hysterical! You learned our father’s lessons well, Duke. Will you strike me now to ensure my compliance?”
She and her brother glared at one another, their harsh breathing filling the coach.
Kendall’s nostrils flared. His hand flexed.
Wouldhe strike her? Their father had been a violent man, but her brother, despite Allie’s relentless attacks over the past week together, had yet to raise a hand against her.
Was this how their father had begun? Intimidation and demands evolving into threats and physical violence as the years passed?
Allie watched the slow bob of Kendall’s Adam’s apple.
With a frustratedclickof his teeth, he whirled to stare out his window once more.
They rolled across Trafalgar Square and turned onto Pall Mall, gas lamps blinking past the carriage windows. Gentlemen stumbled out of their clubs, leaning on shoulders and calling to one another.
Allie licked her lips. “Who is this paragon of manhood you expect me to sacrifice myself to like a meek lamb?”
Silence for another beat.
“His name is Lord Charswood.” Kendall turned back to her. “He is a good match for you, Sister. I would not—” Here he broke off with a jerk, swallowing again. His fingers drummed on the leather seat. “I am appalled at the thought of striking a woman, much less yourself. More to the point, after suffering through our father’s behavior, I would never subject you to a cruel husband.”
Interesting.
Allie didn’t believe him on either account, but . . . interesting.
“Ah yes, what every young woman dreams of—a husband who doesn’t beat her bloody. I cannot wait for such marital bliss!” Allie clasped her hands to her bosom and batted her eyelashes in a mockery of maidenly delight. “Pray tell me about this man so I may bask in giddy rapture over this blessed event. Is he handsome? Witty? Kind? Capable of intelligent conversation?”
Unbidden, the image of Mr. Ethan Penn-Leith rose in her mind’s eye. The low rumble of his laughter. The way he looked at her with curiosity and amusement, but also . . . Allie had to grasp for the word . .. kindness. The memory of his mouth on hers, the way her whole body had thrummed to life, eagerly rising to meet his—
She brutally batted the thoughts away.
“Lord Charswood is a man of mature years,” Kendall said, caution edging his tone.
“Old, you mean. He’s old. How old?”
A long pause and then, “I believe his lordship has recently celebrated his sixtieth year.”
“Sixty?! You are proposing I marry a man old enough to be my grandfather? Have you an ounce of compassion left in your black heart?”
“Charswood is a good man.”
“Of course he is. And let me guess.” Allie tapped her lips with a finger. “He also has business ties to saltpeter you wish to exploit and political power you are desperate to add to your own.”
Kendall’s dark glare and ringing silence were answer enough. “Do not dismiss this out of hand, Lady Allegra. You are being unreasonable. We will be traveling to Scotland within a fortnight for—”
