Charity pressed her lips together, and Duncan could tell that she was trying to calm herself.
“Robert must learn to hold his tongue,” Charity said, evenly. It took great strength to compose yourself when you were filled with anger, and Duncan respected her for that. “He was muttering all manners of ridiculous garbage to me as I came in.”
Edward shot his son a look, chiding. But in a manner that saiddo not ruin this for us.
“Oh, well, then I must apologize for his behavior,” Edward said, and then his gaze settled on Duncan. He had not noticed him before. “And who is this? Was he your escort?”
“He was kind enough to bring me here safely,” Charity said, her voice softening slightly.
“And you agreed?” Edward’s face lit up with anger, his top lip shaking and his rather pale complexion turning a shade of red, “I cannot believe you would bring such disgrace to my home, and then have the audacity to place him in front of me. I cannot look at him a moment longer. Guards,” he snapped his fingers, and two men appeared at the doorway.
“Escort him outside,” he barked.
The men approached Duncan, who had neither shown any reaction nor moved an inch to protect himself. Instead, he simply spoke again with that tone he knew was enough to make most men back off.
“I am the Duke of Blackford,” he said. “I would suggest that you move with great caution henceforth.”
Both guards stopped dead in their tracks, exchanging a look between themselves, and then stepping back. No matter if this house belonged to Edward, no staff member would ever choose to listen to a viscount in the presence of a duke.
“Fine, then,” Edward spoke again, his scowl now a permanent fixture on his face. “Leave us alone then.”
The guards scurried away as quickly as they had come.Useless,Duncan thought to himself.
Edward’s eyes narrowed, still fixed on Duncan as if he could will him out of existence.
“You came here with him without any respectable escort at all,” he went on with barely concealed anger, “You’ve walked into this house and announced to every servant with ears that you’ve spent nights on the road with a man who is not your husband. You’ve made yourself…. a harlot…”
Charity’s face went still. For half a second, Duncan thought she might actually slap Edward, too. Instead, she drew in a slow breath.
“If you are going to call me names, at least have the decency to choose names that fit what actually happened.”
“Oh, then enlighten me,” Edward snapped. “Tell me the story of how you and His Grace became such close companions without anything improper occurring?”
Duncan took one step forward, and immediately, Charity lifted a hand slightly, signaling him to wait.
Edward saw the motion and got riled up even further.
“Ah.You’re managing him now as well, are you? Does he respond to a snap of your fingers, Charity, or have you found other ways to keep him obedient?”
“Mind your tongue,” Duncan said sternly.
“I will speak as I please in my own house,” Edward turned his head, “if you can forgive that,Your Grace.”
“Besides, you are detracting from the topic at hand,” Charity said, irked. “I find it rather suspicious that I was suddenly found miles away from home, and that when I returned, your son was shocked to see me. I feel that something is not right, and perhaps you have an answer to it.”
“Now, you blame my son for your own scandalous behavior?” Edward challenged. “That is quite bold of you. First you commit the wrongdoing, and then you shift the blame to someone who was kind enough to take you in when you’re without any guardian or male kin.”
Disgust piled up inside of Duncan, and he hoped that Charity would not fall for this ridiculous bait that was being peddled by Edward.
“You are twisting my words,” Charity fought back. “And not once have you told me what has been taking place in my absence. Where are my sisters? You are keeping them from me, and I do not know if they are safe or not.”
“They are under my protection,” Edward replied, though the slight pause in his words indicated some lingering guilt.
“And who decided that?” Charity went on. “Did you go and decide on your own that you are the guardian now?”
“Legally, it is my right,” he replied. “And instead of challenging me, you should be grateful that I have not left you an orphan on the streets.”
“Grateful,” Charity said, and there was open disbelief in it now. “You want me grateful that you tried to marry me to my cousin and then take over whatever is left of our inheritance?”
