Yet even as he was winning the war for her safety, he was losing the battle for her heart.
Chapter Thirty-Two
Victoria thought that she would spend the rest of the morning wondering how Richard managed to turn things around, but it was not to be the case.
A violent clatter that seemed to be coming from the entrance startled her to a standing position. Doors slammed. Household staff sounded panicked. It was not going to be a typical day. She dropped the scandal sheet on the table and left the room to investigate.
Her heart was still racing when she reached the foyer. Richard was also on his way, looking like he was running from his study. His eyes had dark circles around them, and his beard was thicker, almost unkempt. She wanted to touch his face, but reminded herself that she had no right. He took it from her.
They turned at the same time to see Lord Penwike standing under the morning light. Three of Richard’s guards stood behind the disgruntled, unwanted visitor. If the duke looked sleeplessand exhausted, the marquess looked haggard in a different way. It seemed like he was vibrating with frantic energy. He looked like he could jump at anyone.
Despite the look of instability and unhinged desperation in Penwike, Victoria was not afraid of him. The man had caused so much chaos in her life that it was all that was fueling her: her broken marriage, Sophie’s molestation and death, being ostracized by the ton, and Melody’s parentage. All of these became one hot spark that drove her to move forward without much thinking and slap Penwike right on his face.
The slap sounded like a pistol firing. Penwike’s head twisted to the side. He did not expect it at all. His hand rose to his cheek, where an angry welt had begun to bloom.
“That’s for Melody,” Victoria hissed.
Her voice sounded cold even to her. Vicious, even. It was like the young Victoria fighting against her cruel father had risen from the ashes. She hated every moment when her mother had her dressed up and smiling for possible suitors. Those days were gone. Thankfully.
“And for every lie you’ve leaked that destroyed lives,” she continued. “You’ve also been a cruel man who’s discarded people left and right.”
Penwike’s face turned from shock to murderous rage. He looked like he was about to strike back, but he glanced at Richard and seemed to contain himself. Meanwhile, the duke gently placeda hand on Victoria’s elbow, tugging her back and moving her behind his back.
“Let me remind you, Penwike, that you are in my house,” Richard warned.
Penwike breathed shakily as he tried to collect himself. He straightened his cravat and looked at Richard, then at Victoria. He took a deep breath, and when he finally spoke, his voice was steady.
“I did not come to fight,” he said in measured tones. “I just read the latest scandal sheet. I am merely here to speak with you, Hawksford. Man to man. You and I.”
Victoria frowned. She was not fully convinced, but Penwike was doing a great job at looking prepared to talk with Richard peacefully.
“Let me admit that I am livid,” he continued, keeping his calm tone, “after I found out that you have destroyed my reputation. However, we are both peers belonging to the same world. We need to have a final settlement and no more scandal sheets.”
Richard remained where he was, shielding Victoria. She could not help but feel relieved that he was standing in front of her. She told herself that she was not afraid of Penwike but still felt thankful for her husband’s protection. This time, she could at least feel that.
Richard was quiet. He seemed to be scrutinizing Penwike with a cold eye.
“So, you want to talk man to man, Penwike?” Richard asked icily. “All right, then. We will do it in my study. However, my men would ensure you aren’t carrying anything with you.”
Penwike’s face scrunched in distaste. “I am a peer like you, Hawksford, but you dare treat me like a common pauper? A criminal?”
“No. I am merely treating you according to your behavior. You’ve already proven you have no honor,” Richard retorted.
Then, the duke turned to his men, who quickly went over to pat down Penwike’s coat. They checked his waist and even his boots while the marquess stood stiffly. He grunted and hissed in complaint, but did not say anything.
“He is unarmed, Your Grace,” one of the guards said.
“All right, then. Let us go and have that talk, Penwike,” Richard finally said, turning to walk toward the direction of his study.
Penwike moved to his right side, ready to walk with him. Meanwhile, Victoria tried to follow them. She didn’t like the idea of the two being alone in Richard’s study.
“Richard—”
The duke turned. She did not know what she expected, but it certainly was not the cold look on his face. It was as if today did not happen. Didn’t he just send a scandal sheet to her earlier to end the lack of communication between them? It was a report, but still better than complete silence. Then, he shielded her. No, Victoria chided herself. The act was all but a reminder of his promise.
“Don’t follow us,” he said sharply. He caught her hand, squeezing gently. “Go upstairs and stay with Melody in the nursery. Block the door if you must. I want to know that you are both safe. I will handle this. Hopefully, we can put an end to this today.”
Victoria somehow understood. It was not a dismissal. It was his way of protecting them. She saw it in the way Richard’s eyes softened. She understood that each of them had their own role to play. Her husband, with tension heavy on his shoulders, carried the weight of responsibility. She had hers, too, with Melody.
