Page 81 of A Duke in Her Fate
“I beg your pardon?”
“Oh, carry on. You’re a mindless little chit I should have never wasted my time on. But when you go, be sure to tell your Margaret that her life is over.”
Whatever warmth Isla had felt dissipated the moment he mentioned her sister’s name. A chill swept through her soul. She clenched the railing hard, digging her palm into the iron to retain feeling.
“You have no right to speak in such a manner to me,” Isla forced herself to say, not willing to be addressed like this. Especially not her family. “My family has washed our hands of you, Lord Dunn, and I suggest you do the same for us.”
Tsking, he came closer to loom over her. She shrunk back instinctively, hating herself for it. “Why should I? You’ve ruined my plans, you little snit. But I’ve put in the work and I shall reap my rewards. Just like you shall reap your just punishment.”
“You have no need to speak in riddles. I don’t care––”
“About your father’s fraud investments? What a shame?”
Isla stuttered. “What?”
Light from the lanterns lit up the man’s cruel smirk. “We all know how little your father left your family. But he left you evenless. I found everything, you know. I did my due diligence. I always do when I make my plans.”
Isla didn’t understand what he said, but forged on all the same. “You have no proof––”
“About his illegal investments? Under false names? Surely the name of the Honorable Mr. Peregrine Quincy rings a bell?”
She had started to skirt around him but paused at the name. Because she did know it. A family friend, her father said. One whom her father never brought around, and her mother never met. They’d meant to send the man an invitation to the funeral but found no address. Isla gulped.
That was answer enough for Dunn who leaned back with a gleaming smile. “I knew it. What a shame the dishonor your father brought to the family. He tried so hard to hide it in the end, but as I said, I have my ways.”
As Isla’s breathing caught, she tried to think. Tried to strategize. She blinked rapidly and struggled to put together an idea. “I… You can’t prove it.”
“I have the documents. Witnesses, too.”
“Fine,” she snarled in frustration. “What do you want for it? Money? An apology?”
The sudden laugh from the older earl made Isla jump. The sound sent a nasty shiver down her spine that made her itch all over the place. “An apology? Don’t be ridiculous. And money I shall have one way or another. With that, you.”
“Me?” She protested in bewilderment. “I am a married lady. A duchess!”
He moved to keep her from leaving. “Your pretty little sister is my next option beyond you, don’t you recall? If I can’t have you, I’ll take her.”
“Never!” Isla wouldn’t let him in her family’s house. She’d move them all back to Scotland if she had to. Or out to the country with her. Whatever it took to keep Dunn from Margaret, she would do.
“You can’t watch her every hour, can you? How fragile a young woman’s reputation is… The right whisper can have her ruined,” he sneered. “Ruined enough that I will be the only one generous enough to accept such a soiled dove.”
Her breath caught in her throat. Beautiful and lively Margaret, only seventeen, could not be married to such a man. He was more monster than earl!
“You can’t,” Isla managed weakly, her voice tight. “Please. You can’t do it. You can’t…”
“Then are you offering yourself?” She didn’t move when his hand, damp with sweat and tight over her dress, squeezed her shoulder. “Because I am willing to do some negotiation here.”
A new sort of dizziness swept over Isla. Panic overwhelmed her as she tried to think, pull herself together. What was she to do? By saving herself, had she doomed her family?
No. No, it can’t be. I have Ronan. He can help. He has to.
“Don’t even think of telling anyone,” Dunn warned like he could read her mind. “It would be of no use. I could deny anything I said here. Remember, I have the proof of your father’s dishonor.”
“But… anything I do… It will destroy everyone,” Isla choked out.
There is no way out of this. I cannot protect Margaret from rumors. Once someone says something, it’s impossible to pull back. No matter what I did, she would be ruined. And she would be ruined if my father’s mistakes were revealed. Ronan. He would be so ashamed. He would blame me. Blame all of us. What can I possibly do?
“No, it won’t,” Dunn smiled before leaning forward. “It will only destroy you.”
