Not many people had ever offered Daniel protection in his lifetime and it humbled him that Eva wanted to.
“I understand you are used to dealing with your family by yourself, Eva, but I must have a promise from you that you will tell me at once if in future any of them try to contact you again. I promised to protect you when we left Stratton, but I cannot do so if you do not let me.”
“They will not contact me again.”
“Promise me, Eva.”
They looked silently at each other for several seconds and it was she who spoke first. “Please do not go and see either my father or Lord Huxley, Daniel,” Eva begged. “They are not to be trusted and I want you nowhere near them.”
“Tell me why you fear them so much? What do they hold over you?”
“Nothing. They hold nothing over me.” Daniel heard the lie in her shrill words and decided it was time to take action. He needed to start digging deeper. Something was wrong and if she would not tell him, he would find out through other means.
“I cannot make you tell me what is wrong, Eva, and I had hoped you would come to me when you were ready. However - ” he lifted one hand as she tried to speak “ - I want you to remember that I am a duke and you a duchess and it is Huxley and your family who should be wary of us, not the reverse. If your fear is for Huxley’s reputation with a sword then I would ask you again to have faith in me, I am a skilled swordsman also.”
“Promise me you will not approach them, Daniel! I cannot bear to think of you anywhere near them.”
“I will only promise not to seek your father out this time,” Daniel said. “But if he or any of his sons continue to threaten you in any way, my promise will no longer stand.”
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” Daniel offered her his hand as he stood.
“The Duke and Duchess of Stratton. Look, Miss Myers, do they not make a lovely couple?”
Daniel knew who the voice belonged to but did not turn to face him until he had helped Eva from her seat. She stiffened and moved closer to his side. Slipping an arm around her waist, he squeezed her gently before turning.
“Miss Myers, Lord Huxley.” Daniel offered a short, insulting bow while still holding his wife close to his side.
“Your Grace.” Huxley took Eva’s hand in his and lifted it to his lips and Daniel felt the sudden tension in her as she snatched it back.
“Are you well, Miss Myers?” Daniel looked at the young lady as Eva questioned her. She did look a bit distressed. Had Huxley done something to her?
“I wonder if I may impose on you to look at my hem, your Grace. I fear it is torn and trailing behind me.”
“Oh, of course.”
Daniel reluctantly released Eva as she patted his fingers. He watched as she bent over to inspect the fabric of Miss Myers’s hem.
“My congratulations, Duke.”
Daniel looked at Huxley but the man’s eyes were on Eva. “Congratulations?” Daniel queried in that soft voice that usually made people stand to attention.
“On finding such a rare gem. I have known her for many years and had hoped…”
Daniel watched as Huxley gave Eva a final look before facing him. The man was a parasite whose very existence was to feed off others. He slept with other men’s wives and preyed on young, rich men, often luring them into gambling, which caused some to lose their fortunes. He had fought numerous duels and rarely, if ever, lost. Daniel and Huxley did not often meet - their circles were made up of different men - but Huxley had obviously fixed his intentions on Eva some time ago.Daniel would have to un-fix them, permanently.
“One thing you should know about me, Huxley,” Daniel said in a conversational tone so Eva was not alerted, “is that what is mine I protect, and if you cross me, be very clear on who will be the winner.”
Huxley paled and took a step backwards.
Daniel followed. “If you ever subject my wife to your unwanted attentions or your eyes pass over her in that insulting manner again, I will take that as a direct insult and my seconds will be upon you in minutes…that is, if I choose to wait until dawn,” Daniel added. “I know you visited her at Stratton but as yet I do not know what took place, but I will, and if through some misguided belief, you think I will not protect her or deal with any threat against her, then I advise you to strongly think again.”
“Sh-she has always welcomed me with open arms.”
“She loathes you, Huxley, and you are deluding only yourself in believing otherwise.”
“Y-you misunderstand me, your Grace.”
