For the first time since Mark and I entered, the duke glanced down, seemingly unsure, even sorrowful. He fingered the highest carving on his cane, the head of a lion. “Tavis always had good timing, not good luck or good judgment, though.”
This made Katherine gasp. “Are you saying I wasn’t worthy to marry?”
He raised his gaze, gawking as if that was the stupidest statement ever uttered. “Tavis knew how to find me. He should’ve sent for me. I would’ve come back for you.”
“The world doesn’t work on your schedule, Jahleel.”
“Is there a reason why you couldn’t wait for me to return? Tell me a reason, a truthful reason. I need to hear it from you.”
My sister swiped at her eyes, like she wasn’t minutes from sobbing. “I couldn’t wait to marry Tavis. He loved me. He was there when I needed to be supported, not abandoned for Mayfair.”
“Tell me, Katherine. Look at me and tell me why, when you had my support, my love. Why couldn’t you wait?”
The room felt like Hades. The gaze between them was so intense that the walls of Wilcox Coal should be on fire. Then it hit me in my gut—every moment, every stolen glance that danced between them, was their past love, all the ruining secrets of my sister’s grand adventure.
“Jahleel, you know nothing about love or commitment. You left. You took your path. I chose mine. Nothing else.” She looked at me. “Nothing can be changed. It is done. Over.”
“Torrance.” Mark pointed to the door. “Let’s leave. When a lady demands we go, we must.”
The fierce lift of the duke’s chin, the flicking of his hand dismissed Mark like he was a child or a servant. “I need an answer. I must hear if I have misjudged Katherine. I need a reason for all of the pain.”
Mark backed up and whispered to me, “Perhaps you and I should leave and let them finish this. They need to finish this.”
“You were right the first time, Lord Mark. Take the duke and go.”
“Kitty, calm down. Think of what we discussed. Save us from our present troubles, not win an old fight from the past.”
“Miss Wilcox, you are right. Sebastian too.” The duke rubbed his palm against his weathered cane. “This needs to be finished right now in a language that Tavis taught his wife: a bet.”
Katherine dug in our father’s desk and found a handkerchief. “I thought you didn’t bet anymore. Another lie?”
“Oh, Katherine, how droll. I gave up gambling for Lent six years ago. Today, it’s warranted. A simple bet. Winner takes all.”
Mark tugged my sleeve and edged closer to the door.
Even though this was grown fools’ business, business Tavis had set in place, I couldn’t leave Katherine. “Please stop this, both of you.”
“Georgina, stay,” Katherine said. “For a bet to be honored, it must have a witness.”
“You hate gambling, sister. This is crazy. Never bet more than we can afford. The duke can buy everything.”
“I need him to know I can’t be bought. My opinion of him will never change. Jahleel, show everyone your true colors.”
“Never make a wager when you’re angry,” I said. “You two are matches and kerosene.”
“What about Wilcox Coal? That would be a better . . .” Mark bit his lip. “Shutting up now.”
I left him and stood close enough to touch my sister, to let her collapse against me and let out that sob she’d stubbornly refused to shed. “Kitty, no. This is ridiculous. Your Grace, I beg you to forgive my sister and I pray that you be on your way.”
Katherine turned to me and shook her head. “Not this time. He’s proposed a wager that will rid him from my life. I’ll take it.”
“And there you have it, Miss Wilcox. My dear Katherine is entering the betting stage, slipping into the sickness that dragged Tavis down. A better man would save her from herself. I’m not a better man. I’m a determined one.”
“Miracle. He admits to not being a god.”
He scoffed, said something in Russian that added more red to her bronze face. “If she wins, all the debt instruments I’ve paid in full will be given to the Wilcoxes. All these bills will be liquidated. You will owe nothing. Your house and Wilcox Coal will be unencumbered.”
Mark drew my way. His blue eyes widened and he whispered, “The bet will crush her.”
