“I would have imagined that you would have been slightly more relieved to see me,” Charity said in a sarcastic voice.
“Or rather you should be ashamed at having gone away in the first place,” Robert took on a more accusatory tone. To Duncan, it was clear that it was a last resort for someone who had guilt inside of them. “None of us knew of your whereabouts, and now you return with another man by your side?”
Duncan felt his blood boil at his tone.
No one would speak to Charity like that in my presence.
He was going to give his reaction, and Robert flinched as if he expected Duncan to hit him. But someone else got there first.
Charity?
If Duncan had not seen her slap Robert with his own eyes, he would have mistaken the sharp crack for a carriage whip. Robert’s head turned with the force of it, and he was stunned, one hand rising to his cheek.
There was only silence for a few moments. And suddenly, it was as though Duncan was seeing her for the first time.
Hiswifeknew how to defend herself. Duncan’s eyes narrowed, and something like satisfaction moved across his face.
Huh.
“Charity,” Robert stared at Charity as if he couldn’t believe she’d done it.
“Never speak on my reputation and intentions in that manner again,” Charity said, her voice coated thick in anger.
“I didn’t…” Robert’s mouth opened, and he tried to backtrack. But Charity had reached her limit. “Look, you’re making a scene.”
“If you raise your voice again,” Duncan stepped into the conversation, “you’ll regret it.”
Robert froze, and the manner in which his eyes widened told Duncan everything that he needed to know about the lad. He’d met many like him in his lifetime, and they were all the same. Big talk, but no bite. Duncan knew that he did not even have to raise his hand to get him to retreat like a dog running away with his tail between his legs. Duncan looked over at Charity, who had not shrunk herself despite the hostile welcome they had received. Once again, a flicker of pride passed through him.
Which was surprising to him.
I do not even know this woman, let alone have any sort of affinity for her.
“I must see my sisters,” Charity started to march towards Robert, who moved out of the way preemptively. “Where are they?’
“Inside,” Robert hesitated as Duncan shot him a look.
“Where inside?” Charity pressed, “Take us to Uncle Edward.”
Robert swallowed and stepped aside, leading them through the door. A footman approached, startled by the sight of Duncan. His gaze slid to Charity, and surprise flickered in it.
“Miss Charity,” he said, “I…”
“Announce me,” Charity said, “I require an audience with the Viscount immediately.”
“I am not sure if he is…”
“I have informed you that it is urgent,” Charity snapped. “And if you deny me, then I shall go looking for him myself.”
The footman seemed to finally understand the seriousness of the situation and nodded. A moment later, another servant appeared to usher them into the drawing room. All this while, Duncan noticed that Charity did not ease her stance even for a moment. She kept her head straight and looked at Robert, who seemed uncomfortable and had his own gaze trained to the floor.
“What is the matter here?” a booming voice was followed by a stout gentleman appearing.
So this was the Viscount.Duncan was assessing him, and much like his sentiments about the son, the duke was not impressed. There were no visible signs of warmth in him, as one would expect from a family member reunited with their niece after a period of separation.
That told Duncan all that he needed to know about this man’s character.
“You have returned?” The Viscount adjusted his tone, perhaps realizing that his earlier reaction had not been appropriate. “Have you been well? The footman told me of some disturbance between you and Robert. What is the cause of this trouble?”
