Summoning his courage, he started to move toward her, but his mission was severed in mid-motion.
The solar door opened and Lady Celine poked her head into the room. Her pleasant expression immediately turned to one ofhorror when she saw the condition of the room, and as her eyes fell on Peyton, panic erupted.
“Alec!”
*
Somewhere high abovethe bailey, a hawk screamed loudly in the warm air. Alec heard it as he gazed across the courtyard, but he did not turn to look as he usually did. He was standing in the very spot Peyton had occupied not an hour before as she cowered in fear of his anger and, somehow, placing himself on the area brought him closer to her. In fact, his thoughts were entirely on Peyton as he waited for his father to speak.
Brian sat behind his great oak desk, staring at the large piece of vellum before him. His handsome face was contemplative, as it had been for the past hour. He gazed at the words on the parchment before him, seeing but not reading. He knew what the words said because he had written them. It was Peyton’s betrothal contract.
“Alec,” he said finally, his voice hoarse with emotion. “I am afraid you have put me in a difficult position.”
“Why?” Alec asked quietly. “Da, I explained to you what happened. I have all but groveled at your feet, at mother’s feet, and at Peyton’s feet for forgiveness and I am at a loss to understand why you seem to consider my actions so severe.”
Brian’s brown eyes glared at his son, his heavy salt-and-pepper eyebrows lifting slightly. “You fail to understand? Alec, you could have gravely injured Lady Peyton with your ranting over something as innocent as a term used to describe Ali’s race and I am deeply concerned what will happen in the future should she make an even harsher comment. God’s Blood, Alec, what if she mentions Peter and you are offended? Will you snap her neck and be sorry for it later?”
“I never laid a hand on her and I never will. You know me better than that.”
“I thought I did until this gross display of temper. You scared the girl to death, Alec, and I do not blame her. What in the world possessed you?”
Alec pushed himself off the wall, massive arms folded in front of his chest as he paced the floor contemplatively. “We have been over it. Do you truly wish to hear the same answer again? I mistook her remark against Ali and I raged violently because…. because I was angry that she appeared to be just like all of the other women who cannot see past the color of Ali’s skin. But I was wrong. I am glad that I was mistaken in my assessment of the lady’s character and I am deeply ashamed of my outburst. What more is it you want me to say?”
Brian’s jaw ticked as he listened to the explanation again. Slowly, he shook his head and lowered it to the vellum. “I have come to a decision. Mayhap I have been wrong in my assumption that you and the lady can establish a beneficial marriage. I do not believe Lady Peyton is suited for you and….”
“What?” Alec interrupted with genuine surprise. “Da, what are you…?”
Brian put up his hand sharply and spoke loudly over his son’s question. “And I have concluded that I should find a husband better suited for her temperament. She is an outspoken, willful young lady and she will need a husband who cannot be provoked by such character.”
Alec’s emotionless face took on real emotion. “That’s ridiculous. What happened between us was a misunderstanding and has nothing to do with her willful nature.”
Brian folded his hands calmly. “I know you agreed to marry her merely to acquire St. Cloven, but I am sure there will be a greater inheritance for you, eventually. You are young still, and I firmly believe there will be other prospects after Lady Peyton. Infact, Lady Caroline Morford was discussed as a possibility even before this situation with Lady Peyton arose.”
“As I recall, when you broached the subject of my betrothal to Lady Peyton, you did so because you feared it would be my best, final offer.” Alec’s shock was turning into an almost panicked anger, desperate to keep what he wanted. “I do not want Lady Caroline. I want Peyton and I shall have her.”
“You will do as I say,” his father cocked an eyebrow, sitting back in his chair. “I am afraid that I cannot, in good conscience, allow your marriage to Lady Peyton to take place.”
Alec visibly tensed. “Why not?”
“I thought I made myself quite clear. You and Lady Peyton are not suited for one another. I believe Lady Caroline will make an adequate spouse, for she is docile and obedient and….”
“I do not want Lady Caroline,” Alec repeated, his voice a growl. “Lady Peyton will be my wife.”
Brian’s eyes flashed with fury. “Listen to me well. Alec, you are the most controlled man I have ever had the fortune to know. I have never seen you become truly enraged, or truly happy, or truly sorrowful. You, my son, are the very model of a man who is in complete control of his emotions; even King Edward has made comment of your self-control,” he rose slowly. “It concerns me deeply that this woman has the power to cause you to lose yourself. ’Tis not this one incident that causes me concern but, if you recall, you brought her back to Blackstone only yesterday morning unconscious. You said it was an accident, yet she says you were less than gentle with her. I shudder to think what will happen should she provoke you again and I cannot allow the death of your wife to be on my hands.”
Alec was stunned. “Do you truly think I would murder her? I would sooner kill myself than harm her and what happened yester morn was indeed an accident. I was wresting her onto my horse and she fell and hit her head; nothing more.”
“So you have said. And rationally speaking, of course you would not kill the lady. But the destruction of this room is testimony to the fact that she can bait you into the realm of irrationality and therein would lay her murder.”
Alec shook his head in disbelief. “If I had a history of brutality, then I could understand your reasoning. But you better than anyone understand my attitude against violence. Peyton could never provoke me into such insanity that I would kill her.”
Brian’s gaze lingered a moment longer on his son before looking to the parchment again. Aye, he knew Alec better than anyone, which was why his son’s display of temper frightened him. Alec never lost his temper. He had been so positive that this marriage would be mutually advantageous, but after witnessing the destruction of his solar, he was forced to admit that mayhap the friction between Alec and Lady Peyton went far deeper than mere indifference.
When he had seen Alec embrace the lady yesterday during their engagement celebration, Brian hoped that all was finally well. But he could see that he had been mistaken; he knew he could not allow the marriage to take place, for the health of Lady Peyton and for the emotional stability of his son.
Brian picked up his quill. “The invitations to your wedding will be rescinded immediately and the lingering few guests from the engagement party will be sent on their way,” he began to scratch on the vellum before him, avoiding Alec’s searing gaze. “The Warringtons have petitioned for the lady’s hand. I shall invite them to Blackstone to draw up the particulars of the marriage contract. I shall find you another bride.”
Alec was angered in addition to being shocked. “You never told me that the Warringtons petitioned for her. Moreover, you said that there has been an ongoing feud between the de Fluornoys and the Warringtons.”
