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“I wanted a private word with you. I heard you arguing with my son.”
Eavesdropping, was he? How much had he heard?
She firmly disregarded the heat sweeping over her cheeks.
“That won’t do, you know. I expect the lower orders to know their place. Any further breaches and you will be dismissed at once.”
His smile held no warmth as he flicked his cold gaze over her, lingering for a moment on her unbound hair.
This was the true Duke of DeCourcy. The blackguard was play-acting with Mama, she’d vow. To what purpose?
“I understand. It won’t happen again, Your Grace.”
Eden clasped her hands behind her back. She’d not give the spiteful curmudgeon the pleasure of seeing her undone.
Fingers steepled, he nodded.
“Good. Good. Oh, and if you’ve any imprudent designs on my son, you’d best rid yourself of those foolish notions. I only permitted him to hire you so he’d move back into the big house. I have a duchess selected for him. He will marry Miss Bickford.”
Eden lifted her chin in proud defiance. “I’m sure his lordship knows his own mind.”
“Stupid, stupid green girl. What he wants is of no importance. It’s what I want that counts. I am the duke, not he.” He jabbed his thumb at his chest. “Manchester will propose, or my guests will be dismayed to find valuables have gone missing. I have loyal servants in this household.”
Like Neville? Father of eight? Who couldn’t afford to be jobless?
“As there’s never been any prior incidences of thievery at Perygrim, who else will the magistrate suspect but the newest members of the household?” he asked, with unnerving calm. “Naturally, the stolen goods will be discovered in your and your mother’s possession.”
The oatmeal Eden had eaten at half past six this morning threatened to reappear.
“You would not dare.”
Yes, the duke would.
He practically exuded glee. He’d orchestrated everything. Expertly played everyone like ivory pieces on a chess-board.
“Manchester would never let you and your mother go to prison. He’s too bloody noble.” He curled his lips in disgust. “He loves you too much, the damned sentimental fool. Just like his mawkish mother.”
He loves me?
Oh, if only it were true.
“What makes you think I won’t tell his lordship about your scheme?”
“I’ve already planted jewels and other trinkets. Even now, I have someone prepared to find them. I have only to say the word.” He drummed his bony fingers on the chair arms. “Why, think of it. You could be sitting in a cold, dark, rat-infested cell within hours.”
Eden hugged her shoulders.
The duke was an evil fiend. No matter what she did, someone she loved was going to suffer.
Her breath stalled in her lungs as the truth hit her.
Chester was right.
It didn’t matter who you were. How long you’d known someone. What station they were. Love was oblivious to all of those things.
How could she choose between him and Mama?
Mama would die in prison.
“You either watch the man you love wed another woman or send your mother to prison for life. With her frail health, she’ll be gone within weeks. You, however, are made of sterner stuff. You’ll last years and years, I’ll be bound.”
His cruel cackle ended on a harsh cough.
Jaw clenched, she glared at him.
“Of course, once Manchester proposes to Miss Bickford, I’ll want you gone. I’ll even give you a thousand pounds to take your mother, servants, and that ratty dog and disappear. Forever.”
