The duke grabbed her by the arm and yanked her back in front of him. She was so startled by the gesture that she nearly fumbled over her own feet and fell. Her heart jolted in sudden panic and fear as he held her in place with a vice grip.
“Unhand me at once!” Catherine demanded, her voice higher than she was proud of.
She had never witnessed him put his hands on Richard. She was certain that he was capable, but she never thought that he would be willing to go this far. She wanted her husband here, and she wanted him here right this very minute.
“I asked you a question, girl. You do not have the privilege of moving about in my house, spending my money on stupid girlish parties, and then not even answering the question that I so politely asked you.”
“I have a name! And I would never touch your money. All that I use belongs to myhusband!”
“His money is my money! Foolish, insolent girl,” he sneered. He was close enough to her face that she could smell his sour breath.
Her fingers clawed desperately at his as she attempted to free herself. She leaned away from him, hoping that her weight might force him to turn her loose, but it did not. He was stronger than he appeared to be.
“Do not make me repeat my question, or I shall forget to be kind.”
“This is kindness?!” She felt like a trapped animal. A wildness was building in her chest. Something that she had never fully felt before. If he felt that her temper was any less than his own simply because she had the restraint not to use it? He was sorely mistaken. She would be at the mercy ofnoman. Never again.
“For what purpose have you invited Lord Wentworth into my home? You bring him here at the same time as your common rabble friends? The pair of you are no better thanpeasantsand should be treated as such!” he continued as if she had never spoken in the first place.
If she struck him, there would be consequences.
If she slammed her foot on top of his own, he might react with violence. He was clearly bigger and stronger than she was…she needed out of this situation at once. Somebody would have to have heard her shouting, right?
Would anybody in this house come to help her with Richard away?
Would they care?
She was alone here. She would have to fix this herself. Somehow.
“It is my home, too. Is it not!?” she sneered right back at him, feeling that fire nearly about to spill out of her mouth. She would not be able to be responsible for her actions should he not stop. “What right do you have to intercept my letters? I am to be allowed my privacy!”
She winced and cried out in pain as he yanked her harder, squeezing so hard that she nearly lost feeling in her fingers as he was practically nose-to-nose with her.
“You will only be allowed the rights that I give you. You are only here because it is my will, and the moment that I stop tolerating you, believe that I will put an end to this nonsense. You rapidly test my patience. Have your stupid little tea party, pretend that all is well, and then send yourguestsaway. You have been warned.”
Catherine spat directly in his face.
The duke was shocked or disgusted enough that he released her with enough force for her to fall back onto her rear, hard. It almost knocked the wind out of her. A furious snarl of rage loosed from his lips as he wiped his face clean.
Her palms burned as she had torn right through the satin of them as she had caught herself from falling. She could still feel the tremors of the impact through her whole body. Fear lanced through her chest as he advanced toward her.
“Lady Catherine!” a voice from the doorway shouted with worry.
Anthony.
She could have cried, she was so flooded with relief at the sight of him. Tears pricked her eyes as she reached blindly for the friendly face.
“What has happened?! Are you all right?!” He rushed to her side, ignoring the duke as he grabbed her hand and helped her back to her feet. It was wholly improper that she moved so quickly into his side, but she did not care.
“Foolish girl tripped over her own skirts. Is that not right,LadyCatherine?” the duke sneered, his rage keeping his teeth clenched together.
For the plan to work, she needed to get herself together. Her chin lowered as she swallowed her fear and pride, knowing that Richard would be home that evening. They were running out of time if the duke was willing to put his hands on her in such a way.
“See? She tripped. Clumsy creature. Bet you will watch where you are going next time, will you not?” The duke held her gaze, threatening and warning her as she nodded mutely again.
Anthony would know the truth. He would know that was not what happened, for he knew the duke and his tricks well as a result of his closeness to Richard. Surely, he would see through the deception and know that she had not tripped or fallen of her own accord; she had been pushed.
“Yes, Your Grace.” The words were like vinegar on Catherine’s tongue.
