Page 22 of Denying the Duke (Lords and Ladies in Love 3)

What the devil was he about, starting a flirtatious conversation with her? There was too much between them. Four years. They hadn’t really had time to know each other that well four years ago, and now they had come together from entirely different places. She had remained in England, the protected and cherished daughter of an earl. He’d been thrown into chaos and the madness of life-threatening jeopardy.

Time. That was all it would take. Time to get to know each other again and see if their young feelings had survived separation and war. Also, to see if he could ever reconcile his former life with this new one, and find the peace he sought.

“Yes, my good man. Two glasses of your finest.” He attempted to recapture their former mood, leaning back in his chair, taking in Patience’s flushed face and confused expression. He would be wise to keep his hands to himself and avoid being alone with Patience. Had he taken it as far as he wanted to last night, they would be planning a wedding this morning. An event he truly did not want to consider now.

…

“Daughter, I would see you in the drawing room.” Patience’s father stood at the doorway to the duchess’s sitting room where Patience, her mother, and the duchess worked on their embroidery and chatted.

Her mother looked uneasy as Patience stood, put aside her work, and followed her father out of the room, down the stairs, and into the drawing room. He closed the door and her mouth dried up. She’d seen that look on his face before, and it had never boded well for her.

“Have you convinced your lover to do his gentlemanly duty and marry you?”

She retreated until the back of her knees touched the settee, then she sat. “I told you before, Father, Alex and I are not lovers.”

“You little fool. Don’t you know that is the way to bring him up to scratch? Do you think you would be the first chit to do that? Drag him to your bed, if you must. It’s done all the time.”

Patience put her hands over her ears. “Father, please. I find this conversation most inappropriate.”

He took a deep breath and backed up. He poured a drink of brandy from the sideboard and turned to her. “You will see that this marriage takes place.”

Patience raised her chin. “I do not understand what the rush is. His Grace has only just taken up his title. He has many pressing matters on his mind. I am sure the last thing he wants to consider right now is taking a wife.”

“What do you know of important matters? You are an ignorant woman, like all the others. Sneaky and stupid, the whole lot of you.” He gulped his drink down and refilled his glass, then walked toward her. His unsteady steps told her he’d been drinking quite heavily. And it was only near dinnertime.

He leaned down and rested his hand on the back of the chair where she sat. “Where do you think all those lovely gowns you wear come from? What about all the ribbons, hats, pelisses, riding habits, dance slippers, and everything else you load your wardrobe with? And what do you suppose it takes to run an estate as well as a townhouse? Money. Lots of money.”

She leaned back as far as she could go, but it wasn’t far enough. The brandy Father had been consuming had turned his breath into something that stung her eyes. She moved her head aside. He grasped her chin and turned her head toward him. “Don’t look away from me when I’m talking to you.”

“Father, you’re hurting me.”

To her amazement, he released her and stood up straight. He slumped in the chair across from her, the glass dangling from his fingers. “I need money. I have debts and bills you cannot imagine. The only reason I’ve been extended credit for the last few years is because of your connection to the Duke of Bedford. Everyone knew the duke would not allow his father-in-law to be thrown into debtors’ prison.”

“Oh, Father.”

“Good. I am glad you understand. I need this marriage to take place quickly. The creditors are hounding me since they’ve heard about the duke’s death. I told them you would be marrying the brother, to just give me a few weeks, since the family is in mourning.”

“Father, you should not have done that. His Grace has only returned from the military a few weeks. Furthermore, he has given me no indication that his interest in me remains.”

Her father sat up abruptly, his demeanor again changing to something frightening. He slammed the glass down on the table and stood. “You will make sure his interest in you remains.” Reaching out, he grabbed her by the arms and hauled her up, shaking her, his face no more than an inch from hers. “Do you understand me, daughter? I have no intention of going to debtors’ prison. Is that clear?”

Tears welled up into her eyes. “Father, that hurts.”

“What is going on in here?” Alex stood in the doorway, his fisted hands clenching and unclenching, his face a picture of fury. He walked slowly into the room, his eyes never leaving where her father clutched her arms. “Release her,” he growled.

Father let her go with such abruptness that she collapsed onto the seat. Alex brushed him aside and knelt at Patience’s feet. “Are you all right?”

She bit her lip to keep from crying out and nodded. Alex continued to study her, then touched her arm where red fingerprints would turn into bruise marks by morning. She would have to find a long-sleeved gown to wear for a few days. His lips tightened. “Stay here.”

He rose and faced her father. “Lord Wilton, if I ever again witness you placing your hands on your daughter with anything but affection, I shall personally thrash you. Do you understand?”

Father tugged on the cuffs of his jacket. “It was merely a misunderstanding, Your Grace. I am sure she is not injured.”

“Based on what I’ve seen, I fail to agree. In my household we protect women, we do not mistreat them. Be advised as long as you are under my roof, you will do the same.” He took what appeared to be a deep, calming breath and added, “I would ask you now to please leave us so I may speak with Lady Patience.”

Her father nodded and turned on his heel—a bit unsteadily—then left the room, closing the door.

Alex went down on one knee again and took her cold hands into his warm ones. “Patience, has he harmed you before now?”