Lord St. George seized the moment. “Your Grace, my youngest daughter is unwell, but would be more of an appropriate match–”
“I will not involve myself with more women,” James said flatly. “It is Miss Eleanor Barker or no one.”
The finality of it echoed through the hall.
Eleanor looked up at him, her pulse racing.
And realized, with a clarity that stole her breath, that the lie she had told thetonhad just claimed her in return.
“This is preposterous,” Lord St. George’s voice cracked through the hall, sharp with fury barely contained. “I will not have this decided in the entryway like some vulgar farce.”
James turned to him slowly. “I suggest that perhaps you moderate your tone.”
Eleanor stood very still, her hands clenched at her sides. Her father’s face had darkened to a dangerous red, his jaw working as though he were biting back something far worse than words.
“I require… a moment with my daughter,” Lord St. George snapped, glaring at Eleanor. “Youwill leave us, Miss Barker.”
Eleanor lifted her chin. “I have done nothing.”
“And yet you have damaged everything,” he retorted. “Go!”
She took a step back, anger burning hot and bright beneath her skin. Every instinct screamed to argue, to defend herself, to say something that might finally cut deep enough to matter.
Before she could speak, James did. “No.”
The single word landed with quiet authority.
Lord St. George turned, incredulous. “Your Grace?”
James said evenly. “I wish to speak with Miss Eleanor Barker alone.”
Lord St. George stared at him as though he had misheard. “This is my house.”
“And she is now my concern,” James replied. “It will take no more than five minutes.”
Charlotte made a small, affronted sound. “Papa–”
“Enough,” Lord St. George snapped, though his eyes never left the Duke. For a moment, Eleanor thought he might refuse. That pride would finally outweigh ambition.
Then Lord St. George inclined his head stiffly. “Very well, Your Grace. Five minutes.”
He turned sharply, gesturing Charlotte toward the stairs. Arabella lingered, her gaze flicking anxiously to Eleanor.
“I will be fine,” Eleanor said quietly.
Arabella hesitated, then nodded, following their father and half-sister from the drawing room.
The door closed behind them.
Silence rushed into the entryway, thick and unfamiliar.
Eleanor exhaled slowly. “That was unnecessary.”
The Duke regarded her. “Was it?”
“You did not have to contradict him so publicly.”
“Yes,” he said calmly, “I did. And this is hardly a public forum.”
