“He is your lawful match,” Edward’s expression tightened.
“I do not know about lawful, but he is rather convenient,” Charity corrected. “By pretending you did it for my benefit, you’re insulting my intelligence as well as my dignity.”
Edward leaned forward, barely able to control his anger any longer.
“Do you think I want to spend my time cleaning up after you. It does not delight me to manage a house full of hysterical girls. I have done what I must to keep this family intact, and you repay me by vanishing like a fool and returning like….”
“An inconvenience.”
“Enough,” Edward’s hand slammed down on the nearest table.
Charity didn’t move, and for that, Duncan was proud of her.
“You’ve been waiting for six months to trap me,” she said. “Don’t pretend this outrage is moral, as you’re furious because you no longer have full control.”
“Let us be practical, then,” Edward said through gritted teeth, Word will get out as it always does. When the story spreads that you returned from wherever you were with a duke at your side… your sisters will be ruined alongside you.”
Ah.So the Viscount had now moved to the second stage of manipulation by bringing her sisters into it. Though he did not know this woman well, he knew enough that her sisters seemed to matter a great deal to her.
“I suggest that we fix it quickly. You are to marry Robert immediately before anyone can twist this beyond repair.”
“No,” Charity said, voice shaking with anger rather than fear. “I will not marry him. I would rather….”
“Rather what,” Edward cut in, “be cast out? Live as a disgraced woman on your own? Those are heavy consequences to bear, and you will be dragging your sisters along with you. You may not understand it, but I do. A woman’s reputation is not a thing she can argue her way out of.”
“You are not worried about my reputation, you’re worried about losing access to my money.”
“Watch your mouth,” Edward’s eyes narrowed to slits. “I am doing you afavor.”
It had all gotten a bit too much.
Duncan’s patience snapped, and his voice cut through the room with controlled certainty.
“She won’t marry your son,” he said.
“This does not concern you,” Edward tried to dismiss.
“It does,” Duncan replied, and then stole one final glance at Charity. “Because she’ll marry me.”
Edward stared at him as if he’d misheard.
“You…” he began, eyes widening with panic. “You are not serious.”
“I do not know you, Viscount,” Duncan replied, “do not assume there is any possibility of jest between us.”
“Is this true?” Edward’s gaze shot to Charity.
Charity’s throat tightened, but she forced the words out cleanly. “Yes.”
“That’s your little solution. You ruin yourself, and then you cover it up. How convenient, but as your guardian, I will not allow it.”
“You don’t have the authority.” Duncan’s expression didn’t change.
Edward stepped forward, furious now.
“This is my niece, my household. This is my….”
“This is not your property,” Duncan said, “And I didn’t come here to ask for your permission.”
