It did not seem Quinton was of the same mind.
“I did not hear this news because of anything your daughter said or did, I assure you,” he said softly. “As for where I came by the knowledge, it doesn’t really matter at this point. I know they are engaged.”
Quinton examined him closely and then threw up his hands. “Well, soon it will all be announced, so I suppose this murmuring you’ve heard matters little. I cannot imagine why it interests you, though, Your Grace. I am not exactly in your sphere, nor is the gentleman in question.”
“Quite,” Hugh said, still trying not to physically recoil at the concept that Walters was a gentleman of any quality. “I am here to discourage the match.”
All the color drained from Quinton’s face and he rose to his feet slowly. “I beg your pardon?”
Hugh stayed seated, allowing the other man to have the higher ground in his upset. There was no reason to be challenging, at least not yet. Quinton simply didn’t understand the gravity of the situation.
“The engagement must be ended,” Hugh said, keeping his tone neutral. Calm. As if it meant nothing to him, when it most certainly did. “And before the public announcement in order to reduce the impact on your daughter’s reputation.”
Quinton shook his head. “You must be in jest, Your Grace. This man has made a reasonable offer for my daughter. She seems to care for him, as is in fashion at present. Why would I end it? And once again, why would you care? Do you have some kind oftendrefor my daughter?”
Hugh pressed his lips together. “No, of course not. If I wished to press my own suit, I would have done so. As for why…”
He trailed off. The why of this situation was still devilishly sensitive. To tell it was to expose his own sister to gossip, rumor, innuendo. He had no desire to do this, even if he was driven to protect this unknown woman from a predator he had not stopped when he had a chance.
“Go on,” Quinton said, folding his arms. “Give me a good reason.”
“I have had dealings with Walters,” Hugh said carefully. “And I can assure you that he is not a good…person. I guarantee he does not have your daughter’s best interest at heart.”
The viscount’s gaze flicked over Hugh, and a shrewdness entered his gaze. “You and I have shaken hands at parties probably three times in the last decade. I doubt we’ve shared more than a minute’s conversation until today. And yet you want me to throw over the intentions of a man who has made himself known to us nearly every day for two months. You wish me to cast him aside as ungentlemanly based upon the most vague of accusations.”
“I can be no more specific,” Hugh said, and now he did rise, towering over the other man. “But my word is my bond—you may ask anyone who knows me. I am not a man to slander another lightly. What else can I say to convince you that this is not the best match for your daughter?”
Quinton observed him, and then he smiled just slightly. “You are not married, Your Grace.”
Hugh shifted as his meaning became clear. “I am not,” he admitted.
“Losing this match will cause me…troubles,” Quinton said with a scowl. “Are you willing to offer me a better option to consider?”
Hugh jerked back and staggered away. “What are you asking me?”
Quinton shrugged. “I need to marry my daughter away. This year is best. Trading an engagement to an unranked man for one to a duke seems quite beneficial to me.”
Hugh could not mask the shock from his face, no matter how hard he tried. “I have come here to warn you that your daughter is in danger and you try to…bargain with me?” he managed to grind out.
“Why shouldn’t I?” Quinton asked. “I have no idea if what you imply about Walters is true. You ask me to go on faith and destroy whatever arrangements I’ve already made with the man. And my daughter will be miserable if I do not allow her this marriage. Why should I not benefit and be able to present her with some kind of boon for herself to soften the blow?”
Hugh glared at the man as he tried to picture how he would have reacted if someone had come to him before Lizzie ran away with Walters. What he would have done and said in reaction if he could have shielded her from harm long before the damage was done.
And this man had none of those responses. He looked at Hugh only in terms of profit versus disadvantage to himself. Just as he must look at Walters, though Hugh could not picture what Quinton believed he was buying with his daughter’s dowry.
This woman—Amelia—she was in just as much peril at the hands of her father as she was with Walters, it seemed. But the idea of marrying her, a stranger…how could Hugh agree to it? Even the idea of placing a scandal on Walters’ doorstep, making it clear Hugh had stolen her away from him…eventhatdid not lessen his hesitation. Though the idea of it was comforting, indeed.
“Let me meet her,” Hugh said softly. It was really the only way to know what to do next. And if he had a chance to speak with the young woman, perhaps he could convince her to break the engagement herself and that would end all this foolishness.
Quinton stroked his chin as he seemed to ponder that request. “You mayseeher,” he said, and stepped to the bell. He rang for the butler, who arrived shortly. Quinton shot Hugh a look before he said, “Fielding, ask Amelia to go pick some flowers for the hall.”
The butler glanced at Hugh with confusion. “Miss Amelia is having her tea in the—”
“Tell her to do it now,” Quinton insisted.
Fielding nodded and left the room. Slowly Quinton turned to Hugh, a smug expression on his face. Hugh stared. “You will not let me speak to the young lady. The woman you wish me to agree to wed.”
“Once you see her you will not need to talk to her, I think.” Quinton left the room, calling after himself. “It’s now or never, Your Grace. Let’s have this done.”
