At least she’s not pretending. She’s not even attempting to.
Amused as he was, Andrew forced his features into a neutral mask, carefully schooling his expression. He cleared his throat. “Miss Leyton has not yet answered my proposal.”
“Of course she accepts.” Lord Leyton scoffed, shaking his head. “Shewillmarry you.”
“The choice is hers. The question is hers to answer, not yours.” Andrew glared at Lord Leyton, silently daring him to say another word.
Lord Leyton grimaced before walking over to Isobel and leaning close. He whispered something to her that Andrew didn’t hear but based on the way the color drained from her face, he didn’t suspect it was words of encouragement or kindness.
Isobel swallowed, looking everywhere but at Andrew. He tried to keep a neutral expression, not wanting to scare her any more than she was already.
“Miss Leyton, the choice is yours to make. I will hear it from your lips alone. Do not allow your father to sway you simply because his greed has been his ruin.”
Lord Leyton looked like he was ready to protest. His lips parted as he took a step toward Andrew. Arching an eyebrow, Andrew waited for him to say something, to try and push the matter further. There would be none of that. Andrew needed to know that this was a choice Isobel was willing to make, that she was choosing for herself.
Though, he knew things were never that simple. She had a sister, and if there was one thing he noticed, it was how she kept glancing at the portraits of Joan in the room.
Isobel let out a deep breath, still looking away from him. “I accept your proposal, Your Grace.”
He wanted to cross the room and take her by the chin, forcing her to look at him. It would be inappropriate, and until they were married, he needed to pretend he didn’t want to lean in and steal another kiss from her soft lips.
Lord Leyton grinned and clapped his hands. “I knew you were a good girl who was going to protect her family. This calls for a celebration.”
Isobel finally looked at Andrew. Fire burned bright in her eyes. Her lips pressed into a thin line like she was holding back all the words he suspected were on the tip of her tongue. She was far toomuch of a feral creature to take this treatment from him, but she seemed to have no problem bowing down to her father.
Being away from him will be good for her. She won’t have to live in fear of speaking her mind.
Lord Leyton grinned as he took the top off a decanter, pouring himself a hefty glass and raising it high. “To the best marriage match my daughter could hope to make. I wish you both a long and happy life.”
When he held another glass out to Andrew, it was the final straw.
Andrew took the glass and set it to the side. “Would your excitement remain the same if I were to marry your daughter and stillnoterase the debt?”
Isobel gasped.
Though he had every intention of erasing the debt—if nothing else than for the sake of the two sisters—he needed Lord Leyton to realize that Andrew was the one in control of the situation. He was uninterested in fighting with his father-in-law, especially when he knew that the Viscount would lose.
Lord Leyton downed the liquor in his glass, turning and saying nothing, a hard look in his eyes, a shake to his hand as he poured another glass.
Andrew kept his gaze on Isobel. “I’m going to be handling the wedding and its preparations. And I will have a seamstress sent to make dresses for you and Miss Joan.”
Isobel gave a sharp nod, her jaw clenching. Lord Leyton made a noise in the back of his throat, almost like a protest.
I cannot continue to deal with this man today. The sooner I get out of here, the better.
“All you have to do,” he said, glaring at Lord Leyton, “is not embarrass me. Your debt will be paid, your daughter will be out of your hands, and you no longer have to worry.”
Lord Leyton raised his glass to Andrew once more before throwing it back.
“And you, Miss Leyton.” Andrew strode closer to Isobel, his body only inches from hers, the memory of having her pressed against the railing flickering through his mind. “All you have to do is accept your savior’s generosity.”
To his surprise, she gave a small nod, not saying a word.
Who is her father and what has he done to my feral little darling?
“I’m going to take my leave, but more details regarding the wedding will be sent to you later.”
Andrew turned and strode out of the room. As he left, he felt as though a weight was being lifted from his shoulders. He wouldn’t have to go to one endless ball after another or continue the hunt for a wife. He could instead focus on restoring Mayfair Fox to its former glory.
