“However,” her father added in a stern voice, “Miss Cummings wasnotthe daughter of a nobleman.”
“Exactly.” Scowling, Ellie gave him a sharp nod. “And because my father is a duke, I’m quite certain that men will still be vying for my attention even after I become a spinster. After all, they all know I come with an impressive dowry.”
The fierce glint in her father’s gray eyes had Ellie holding her breath. Perhaps she shouldn’t have raised her voice just then. But she couldn’t hold back her feelings any longer.
Slowly, her father stood as he folded his arms across his wide chest. His gaze locked on Ellie and wouldn’t budge for the longest pause of silence she’d had so far during this conversation. She swallowed hard and tried to keep calm, and at the same time, she must not cower. Especially in this particular cause.
“Ellie Marie Middleton,” he growled.
Her hopes sank. Panic grew inside of her. Never had her father been this adamant and used her whole name. Usually, all she had to do was show him some tears and he bent to her will. Could he have grown immune to her tactics?
“Youwillstart looking for a husband, because in four weeks’ time, if you haven’t found a man to marry, I will sign betrothal papers for you to wed Lord Stone.”
Shock vibrated through her. “LordStone? Are you referring to Augusta’s nephew, Edgar Stone?”
“Indeed, the very man.” Her father arched a dark, bushy eyebrow but kept his harsh expression. “He has been hinting about courting you, and I believe it is time I allowed it.”
She sprang from her chair and grasped her father’s arm. Her world as she knew it closed in around her, making her feel as if she were drowning. Even her vision became tunneled as dread pulsed through her head. She couldn’t lose control now. She must fight for her life. “No, Father. Not him. He is a vile man.”
“Your stepmother and I believe he will make you a fine husband.”
Panic tightened her throat. “Afine husbandisn’t supposed to strike women and beat them to a bloody pulp. Afine husbandshould have patience and understanding. Edgar possesses none of those traits.”
Augusta gasped and shook her head. “Those are just rumors, and you of all people should know not to believe them. I have known him for years, being my older sister’s son, and he treats every woman like a queen.”
Ellie wanted to scream at her stepmother. The woman was so very wrong about her nephew. Ellie had known women who’d gotten close to Lord Stone and ended up with bruised eyes. She had witnessed the way he yelled at an older woman, which had stirred fright into Ellie. If a man could treat an elderly woman in such a way, she didn’t have to imagine what he would do with a wife if he became displeased. But obviously, her father and Augusta wouldn’t be swayed.
“Father, you are missing one important detail. I don’t love him. I never will.” Tears burned her eyes, but she tried not to let them show. She wouldn’t cry and beg like a young girl any longer. She was a woman full grown at the age of twenty and four, and so must act the part.
“If love is what you seek,” her father replied, “you have four weeks to find that man. I will not relent this time, Ellie. Your pouts will not influence me, I assure you.”
She yanked away from him and glowered. She would bet money that Augusta had something to do with this. Ever since Ellie had met Edgar Stone for the first time at her father’s wedding to Augusta, the mention of that disgusting man’s name sent shivers up her spine.
“Fine.” She heaved quickly, trying to hold in her anger, but it wasn’t working. “If that is the way you want to play, then I suppose I have no other choice. I shall find a man to marry in four weeks, because I willnotmarry Lord Stone.”
Ellie spun away from her father and marched toward the door. It didn’t matter that she had not been excused by him—she didn’t want to stay in that room any longer. The stubborn man just wouldn’t listen to reason. Well, he wouldnotget his way. Not this time. She would find someone else to marry, even though she knew her heart would never be involved.
Her heeled shoes clicked on the marbled floor as she strode quickly down the hall, heading for the grand stairs that would take her toward her room on the second floor. Sulking was necessary at this moment, only because she needed to mourn the fact that her life would never be the same. She would have to find a husband and live in a loveless marriage forever. She had given her heart to Adam Haddington, a soldier her father hadn’t exactly approved of, but he accepted Adam since she loved him. And now that Adam had fought for his country and was killed, she would never know happiness again.
Her steps gained speed as she rounded the corner…and ran head-on into a human form. Her head whacked against something hard, and pain exploded in her temple. Stars danced in her eyes as she tried to focus on the person she’d just hit.
Dizzy, she stepped back and swayed, but two strong arms wrapped around her, holding her upright. A manly scent of pine mixed with leather filled her senses.
Blinking, she tried to focus on the man’s face that was only about four inches from her. Deep blue, worried eyes held her stare. His lips were moving, but she couldn’t hear anything due to the buzzing in her ears.
Slowly, he walked her to a settee and set her down with his arms still around her waist. She wasn’t certain she liked how personally he held her, but she allowed it, fearing that without his arms, she would crumple to the floor.
Taking profound breaths, she hoped to fight against the lightheadedness assailing her. What could have caused her to act this way? But then she noticed he rubbed his red chin as a smile touched his mouth.
“Are you all right?”
His words were clearer this time, and she nodded. “I shall be in a moment.” She touched the sore spot on her forehead and cringed. This was going to leave a mark, she just knew it. “Forgive me for running into you.”
Finally, his face didn’t appear so fuzzy, and she could see the man more fully. He was handsome, but still, he couldn’t hold a candle to Adam’s rugged good looks. Yet as she stared at him, a prick of familiarity passed through her mind.
“It’s not your fault,” he said. “I shouldn’t have been standing so close to the corner of the hall.” He rubbed his chin again. “I must confess, you have a hard head.”
She glanced toward the hall where they had collided. “Why were you standing there?”
