This had to be the very definition of hellfire. Forced to grovel for forgiveness before the two men in the world, after his dead father, whom Kendall despised the most.
Of course Sir Rafe would be here. His half-brother, yet again, a catalyst in one of the most traumatic and dreadful moments of Kendall’s life.
The point at which one existence was brutally severed and a different one thrust upon him, most unwillingly.
Kendall pushed back the old memories that threatened to surface.
Leave it,he ordered himself.It is in the past.
“Kendall,” Hadley said by way of greeting.
“Hadley.” Kendall forced sound past his stiff lips.
His heart raced in his chest like a mad beast. Was this akin to the battle terror soldiers felt before engaging the enemy?
He rather thought it was.
Allie’s words from the night before haunted him—I am not entirely sure you see yourself as lovable.
No, he did not.
But then, the two men in this room ensured he was constantly reminded of that fact. Such had always been their way. To make it clear that no one could love a boy sired by a monster such as his father.
“Say what ye need tae say and then remove your sorry carcass from my house,” Hadley snapped, eyes narrowed in fury.
Kendall stilled at the earl’s words. A small frown dented his brow. Why was Hadley not gloating?
This was the man’s moment of triumph. The point at which he dashed all of Kendall’s future hopes and raised his daughter to a duchess’s coronet.
But as he pondered the man, Kendall realized that Hadley looked more like a caged dog waiting for the order to kill. As if he longed to tear Kendall limb from limb.
He glanced toward Sir Rafe, but his brother’s expression was carefully blank. A trick no doubt learned at their father’s knee.
“I believe you know my intentions here, Hadley.” Kendall pushed the syllables off his numb tongue. “Though entirely accidental, your eldest daughter and I were discovered in a compromising situation. Despite your lowering opinion, I am a gentleman in all respects. Therefore, I formally request Lady Isolde’s hand in marriage.”
“No.” Hadley pointed at the door. “Now get the hell out!”
Kendall stood, stunned and blinking.
Had Hadley . . .
No?
But . . .
Kendall looked to Sir Rafe again but found nothing there to explain Hadley’s response.
“Lady Isolde will be ruined.” Kendall could hear the bafflement in his tone.
“Aye, no thanks tae you,” Hadley returned. “But ruined is better than marriage to a brutish man who will turn her life into a living nightmare!”
“Andrew,” Sir Rafe reproached quietly. “Have a care.”
“Och, I will have a care over thiseejit’sdead body!” Hadley jabbed a finger at Kendall.
“Is this also Lady Isolde’s opinion?” Kendall’s brows drew down in confusion. “She refuses my suit?”
What was Hadley’s game here?
