‘But not until you had announced your plans to all of London.’
‘We were eager to share our good news,’ he said smoothly.
‘With people who did not matter,’ Grandfather replied icily.
‘My sincerest apologies, my lord,’ the duke said with another small bow. ‘I should not have let enthusiasm overcome my good sense. Of course you would want to be the first to hear of our plans.’
‘Yourplans?’ her grandfather said, raising an eyebrow. He tapped his cane gently on the floor, but even the lightest of bumps sounded like a gunshot in the quiet room. ‘I believe we have come to the crux of the problem without me having to explain it to you.’
‘Problem?’ said the duke, who was still smiling.
‘You, a total stranger, feel entitled to make plans for members ofmyfamily.’ The cane tapped again, louder this time.
‘Only as they relate to my own future,’ the duke said, still calm. ‘And Louisa’s, of course. She had no objection.’
‘If I want her opinion, I will ask for it,’ her grandfather snapped.
It was clear he did not. A small, meek voice in her head declared that there was no reason she needed to stay any longer. She could flee if she wanted.
But that would leave the duke alone. He was powerful and did not need her to defend him. But she was supposed to be his fiancée. Their pretend wedding would require her to stay by his side, for better or worse.
Grandfather was definitely worse.
The duke was staring at him, playing the measured silence game again. This time, he was the one who spoke first. ‘She is of age and entitled to make her own decisions.’ There was a careful tone to the words that made them almost sound like a threat.
‘Is she now?’ her grandfather said in an equally measured tone. ‘If all she wants is to marry, she needn’t come to beg me for approval. She can do whatever she likes.’ His calculating gaze swung to fix on her. ‘But you want the money, don’t you, girl?’
She wished that she’d run when she’d had the chance. But she summoned all the courage she had and nodded.
‘That is all you have ever wanted from me.’ The cane hit the floor with a sharp crack that made her jump. ‘Well, you shan’t have it,’ he said spitefully, turning to the duke again. ‘If you couldn’t be bothered to consult me before making your offer, you don’t have my permission or blessing. I refuse the suit.’
‘What?’ Louisa flinched as the single word erupted out of the duke’s mouth, so loud that the whole house must have heard it. He’d been pushed to breaking point and beyond, abandoning the persona of Tom Smith to become his true self, a man who was not accustomed to hearing the word ‘no.’
‘You will print the retraction in the paper as soon as you return to London,’ her grandfather continued, as if he’d heard nothing at all.
‘I beg your pardon,’ the duke said. He was no longer shouting, but the quietness of his voice held its own sort of danger.
Grandfather continued, unperturbed. ‘Louisa, you will remain here, just as planned. I have no problem with Mr Smith staying the night. But tomorrow you will arrange for his transportation back to London, or to his home, if you so choose.’
‘I have no intention of going back to London, nor will I retract my offer,’ Thomas said automatically.
She laid an arm on his sleeve and gave it a warning tug.
Her grandfather shrugged and said, ‘Do as you will. It matters very little to me. But you will not be marrying my granddaughter.’
‘Louisa might not have another chance,’ the duke sputtered. ‘Men who see a broken engagement will think her fickle.’
‘Or worse,’ her grandfather said with a cold smile.
He meant unchaste, she supposed. As usual, she’d had none of the pleasure and yet taken all of the blame.
‘How dare you, sir,’ the duke said grimly, not even trying to be cordial any longer.
‘I dare to do as I wish and say what I want, because the house is mine. You are a guest here and are not entitled to question me. And Louisa?’ He directed the next words to her. ‘Louisa is a spinster and will remain so. She has had all the chances she deserved to try and change that. But now, the Season is over. She will be living here, just as she has always known she would.’ He made a small, shooing motion with his hands. ‘The matter is settled. You may go.’
Before the duke could speak again, she tightened her grip on his arm and yanked him towards the door. ‘Thank you, Grandfather,’ she said, throwing the words over her shoulder. ‘And good afternoon to you.’ She continued tugging until they were out in the hall and she’d closed the door behind him.
CHAPTER NINE
