But Prim, the girl who was brutally bound to him under the worst circumstances, saw him as honorable. She didn’t just say those words, she truly meant them. He saw the slight, defiant lift of her chin, the unwavering focus in her eyes as she held Aaron’s gaze. This was no calculated move in a social game. This was a line drawn in stone, a declaration of war on his behalf.
Leo realized that there was someone. Someone in his life for him. The thought was not a whisper, but a tectonic shift in the bedrock of his soul. And Leo was not ready to let Prim fight his fights for him.
“My wife,” he said calmly, “to spare you. I am not.”
The room shifted. Everyone at the table realized that they had invited a wolf into their home. They stilled as Leo looked at each one of the guests.
“I had let this go on for too long.” His voice was a cold, sharp sword. “From now on, any attempts to ruin my wife or me will not be tolerated.”
“Leo,” his mother tried.
“I am talking, and I will not be interrupted.”
Bridget jumped up at his tone. He didn’t stop.
“I know that there was an orchestrated attack on the Duchess and me. I would strongly suggest that anyone at this table behind it, stop now.”
“What are you saying, Leo?” Bridget said softly.
“That you or Aaron, I really don’t care who, have paid for that vile article in the sheets.”
Bridget’s eyes went wide with shock when he uttered those words. Her face distorted in surprise. She instinctively turned to her younger son. Perhaps to find guidance from her co-conspirator.
“This is preposterous!” Aaron said and dropped his napkin on the bed.
“This is the truth,” Leo said.
“Truth?” Aaron said, through gritted teeth. “Do you have proof of this… truth?”
Leo dropped his chin, his gaze fixed on the young lord. Everyone at the table recoiled in fear. It was not often that Leo allowed the civilized mask drop.
“Hurt my wife again, and you will find the extent of my patience.”
“I did nothing to hurt either of you,” Aaron said.
Bridget studied her son as he protested his innocence. Her eyes were searching his, an incredulous look distorting her pretty features.
“Aaron?” she asked.
“It is a lie! His Grace said so himself. He has no proof.”
“I think I was courteous enough,” Leo said and pushed his chair back. “I did warn you, didn’t I?”
Leo walked to Prim’s side. His wife was studying Bridget and then looked at Aaron.
“Prim?”
She looked at him, almost startled, deep in thought.
“Let’s go home.”
Prim nodded, took his hand, and followed him out.
“Pity,” Prim said as they walked through the door.
“Whatever can you possibly mean?” Leo hissed.
“Their cook was not bad.”
