In fact, he was looking forward to having Dara in his bed. Feisty Dara. She would not be a passive partner. It was not in her nature. The image of her in his bed took hold of his imagination.
“I’m sorry, my lord. The decision is mine to make. I have already asked Miss Lanscarr to be my wife.”
“Un-ask her.”
“You know I cannot. That would be a callow thing to do.”
“ThenIwill un-ask her.”
“You will not.”
Holsworthy jerked as if he hadn’t heard Michael clearly. Deep lines furrowed his brow. “You disobey me?”
Ah, yes, here was the man his father’s side of the family had chosen to be estranged from. His mother had made certain Michael knew all the stories.
“It is not disobedience to honor my word,” Michael replied.
“On that matter you are wrong. You are my heir. You will do as I say.”
“On many matters, but not on this one.” In fact, Holsworthy might not be aware of it, but Michael had been doing exactly as he wishedfor quite some time. It had been serendipity that their politics dovetailed... a bit. The earl pontificated and Michael acted as he thought best, often keeping his own counsel.
Holsworthy gripped the arms of his chair. “Does this have anything to do with the rumor I heard that you were cavorting with a wet and naked woman in the park? Was she this Lanscarr woman?”
“Miss Lanscarr was wet because she’d rescued a child.”What is the matter with everyone?Michael was on the verge of exploding. “If I had jumped into the Serpentine to do the same thing, the polite world would be applauding my bravery. She even resuscitated the boy. The boatman claimed that if it hadn’t been for Miss Lanscarr’s quick action, the lad would not have survived. There was not a moment to waste.”
“I hear the child was of no consequence. Just a shopkeeper’s get.”
“Would you wish any child to be dead?”
“I don’t want a dead child.” Holsworthy poured some port into his empty brandy glass. “However, there are things a gentlewoman, atruelady, should not do. Rescuing other people’s spawn is one of them.”
They were moving into a dangerous discussion. Holsworthy’s attitude toward the fairer sex was archaic. He saw wives for breeding and little else. His own wife had not had a long life, andMichael had never heard him speak of her, let alone mourn her.
Of course, here was the gist of the problem between them—Michael liked women. He appreciated their perspective. His mother had held opinions of her own. He enjoyed her frequent letters giving him not only insight into the workings of Carlow, where he’d been raised, but also her thoughts on issues in front of Parliament. She could not withhold her opinion, even if she tried, and she never tried.
Dear God, he missed her. No wonder he enjoyed Dara.
He also believed she would like Dara very much. The thought of the two of them together gave him great pleasure—
His uncle spoke. “Do you believe I have no recourse?” He held his glass of port in front of him, his expression malevolent. “I created you. I can take it all away.”
“Created me? That was the act of my mother and father.”
“I’m the one who educated you. Who gave you opportunities.”
“You have, and I appreciate them. However, I’m a duly elected Member of Parliament. I earned my position.”
“At my instigation.”
That wasn’t true. Michael had made his own choice. His uncle had just approved of that choice.
Still, his purpose was not to alienate the earl. “You have been a remarkable influence, and for that I am deeply grateful. However, I will choose whom I marry.”
There was a long, laden silence. Beyond the room, Michael could hear voices of men greeting each other, heavy footsteps on wood floors, and the rattling of trays and glasses. He did not turn away from his uncle’s stare.
Then Holsworthy said in a quiet, disappointed voice, “I thought you were worthy. You are not. I disown you.” He downed his port.
Michael frowned.Disown him?“You can’t turn me away. I am your rightful heir in the eyes of God and the Kingdom. Even if you hadn’t come into my life years ago, Parliament would still have given me your title upon your death.”
