Page 7 of The Duke’s Rejected Mate

The whispers, however, pepper my skin as I cross by each row. Thankfully, from what I can hear, none of them suspect that I leave for want of an omega I can no longer have. At least it will keep scandal away from my family.

I pace about, watching as the others pour out of the church. There, Miss Campbell and Henhaven stand as others go by and wish them well. Though Henhaven takes it all in stride, a smile plastered to his face, Miss Campbell looks positively ill. She smiles as he does, but it doesn’t reach her eyes. There’s no mirth in her expression, no joy.

As I go over to make inquiries, my mother and sisters rush upon her, babbling about who knows what. Lady Kirden stands there, stiffly, as her lips thin into a sharp line. Whatever it is they’re saying, she doesn’t seem to enjoy the conversation.

I make my way over in time to hear my mother speaking. “Now dears,” she laughs. “This is a special time between mother and daughter. She will, no doubt, wish for her to stay at home as she plans their nuptials.”

Honestly, as she should. It would be in rather poor taste for her to reside under the same roof as the soon-to-be new groom. My lips tease up into a smile as I shake Henhaven’s hand, knowing he will soon be ousted by my suit. What father would say no to a duke coming in to sweep away his daughter?

“Norhaven, is it?” he asks, his shake firm and his gaze steady. “I’ve heard a lot about you.”

“You have me at a disadvantage, for I know nearly nothing about you. Save the fact that you’ve swept our Miss Campbell up into a torrid love affair. Why, you must be so very much in love.”

Next to him, Miss Campbell looks as if she is about to cast up her accounts all over the church stairs. Henhaven looks nearly as ill as he slips a finger under his cravat.

“I am a full proponent of the idea that love grows with time and seasons,” he answers. “Besides, can you ever really know a person until you’ve spent time with them day and night? I say not. But I will take your well wishes and add them to the luck that seems to be abounding around.”

I tighten my grip, nearly pulling him in. “It isn’t luck you need,” I grin. “It is understanding. A woman like Miss Campbell is a rare treasure indeed. Careful, or you might find it easily lost.”

“And who is to do the taking? One might wonder. What, with the banns announced, she is mine.”

By now, a small crowd gathers, but my sisters and mother do their best to keep them at bay with other conversation.

“I mean you no threat,” I say as I release his hand. “Only that Miss Campbell is beloved by my family. The dowager duchess, Duke of Whiteport, and I, the Duke of Norhaven, hold her in high esteem. Though married, she will be still under our watch.”

His face pales slightly before turning an odd sort of pink. “Do you dare imply that my intended will require protection from me? I have never heard such an accusation before.”

“I imply no such thing. I only wish for you to know that she is cared for, is all. Take that into account with your nuptials. Henhaven,” I nod. “Miss Campbell. Kirden, I look forward to our meeting this afternoon, but find it would be better to do business after lunch.”

“Very well, Your Grace,” he says with a bow. “My home is ever yours.”

I turn and leave, unable to look at Miss Campbell’s sad expression any longer. Poor thing. Once she’s engaged to me instead, I’m sure she will be back to rights.

“No,” Lord Kirden pronounces.

“No?” I repeat, unsure if I had actually heard him. “I am a duke. He’s merely a viscount. How can you deny my suit?”

The older man looks at me and raises a brow before sitting behind his desk and lighting up a pipe. “I suppose I should answer your question with one of my own. How is it that you’re just now coming to me, mere hours after the banns have been read? If you truly cared for my daughter, why wait until she’s publicly engaged to another?”

Guilt and anger gnaw at my insides like feral rats determined to escape their confines. “I was not in a position to do so.”

“Oh,” he chuckles. “And now you are? Now that she’s engaged to another? Such petty squabbles I find myself in the middle of.”

“‘Tis not petty. I care for the girl.”

“Right, and so does Henhaven.”

“Henhaven,” I snort. “A man she doesn’t even know? A man who doesn’t even seem to understand the nature and needs of the woman he’s engaged to?”

Kirden raises his eyebrow once more and leans forward as his voice lowers and becomes a touch more sinister. “And what would you know of her needs?”

“Come now,” I scoff, doing my best to defuse the tenor of his accusation. “She is with my sisters at every chance. I have grown up beside her and know more than some stranger could. Besides, what can he offer that I cannot? Your daughter would be a duchess. Your family esteemed. Come. What is your sum? I will pay it and more.”

Seemingly satisfied with my answer, he leans back and takes a puff of his pipe, watching me with such scrutiny as he inhales. He takes his time, dragging it out, before coming forward once more to set his pipe down and steeple his hands. “You think my daughter is an animal to be bought and sold? For shame. ‘Tisn’t about the money. Though extra coin would not go amiss. Henhaven spoke for her first. Fair and simple. He is a spotless choice. Not a whiff of scandal, unlike your family. It would destroy an innocent man to call off the engagement now. Not to mention what it would do to my daughter’s reputation. If you care for her at all, you’d let her be and allow her to marry Henhaven. I’m sure you’ll find some other girl. The marriage mart is still full, and I dare say a new gaggle of lady flesh will be presented next year.”

“It is not some other girl I desire,” I grind out as anger and desperation war inside. “There is not some new awaiting bit of skirt that I long to chase. Only Miss Campbell.”

“If that were true, you would have been here long before. She was available to you for nearly two whole seasons. She languished, pushed ever closer to becoming a spinster. For what? For you to play games with her affections? No. My answer is, and will always be, no. You do not have her best interests at heart. You only want what your cock now cannot have.”