Page 23 of To Have & To Hold

“I apologize for the interruption,” he said, his tone perfectly polite but void of any warmth. “I was in the hall waiting to be properly introduced, but when I heard shouting I thought perhaps this was a conversation I should be a part of.”

Lord Moorfield smiled, but Emilia could see the tension building just below the surface. He was not a man used to being challenged, but the duke did not seem like a man who cared.

“I must admit I am rather surprised to see you, Your Grace,” Her uncle said.

“Why?” the duke asked. “You received my note this morning, did you not?”

“We did, Your Grace,” Lady Moorfield interjected with a sugary sweet smile. “But it said to expect you at eleven, and it is now half past. We were under the assumption you had changed your mind.”

“I have not.” He took a step into the room. “Now that we have cleared that up, I feel as though there are a few more things on which you have made incorrect assumptions.”

Lord Moorfield tensed. “What would those be, Your Grace?”

“Firstly, your niece is not to be held responsible for what happened last evening at Beckley House.”

Emilia noticed Lord Moorfield’s jaw twitch at the duke’s acknowledgement of their relation.

“I followed her into that garden,” he continued. “She had no knowledge of my intentions.”

“And what were your intentions?” Her aunt asked.

The duke seemed to falter for a moment, but when he turned to meet Lady Moorfield’s gaze, he was perfectly composed.

“To marry her.”

The earl laughed, and the duke’s eyes narrowed on him.

“I apologize, Your Grace,” Lord Moorfield said, reigning in his laughter. “But in her three seasons out, Emilia has never drawn any serious attention. Especially not from someone with a station such as yours. It simply does not make any sense.”

“I find that hard to believe,” the duke stated. “Especially if you were able to arrange another engagement for her in the mere half an hour that I was delayed this morning.”

Emilia’s eyes went wide, and so did Lord Moorfield’s. “Lord Whitcombe is a business partner,” he stammered. “We were already discussing a potential arrangement between our families. We were unsure you would fulfill your obligation to Emilia, so I called upon him so we could reach a mutually beneficial agreement so she would not be disgraced. If I am quite honest, it was no easy task. I had to increase her dowry, but the deal is as good as done.”

The duke took another step into the room. “As good as done is not done.”

Emilia’s heart was about to beat out of her chest, and her uncle’s face began to flush red with fury. She had never seen anyone stand up to the earl before, and he was doing so with such ease. She could not look away.

“I beg your pardon?” Lord Moorfield growled.

“She is not married, and there is no contract signed.” The duke stated matter-of-factly. “I am here to fulfill my obligation, so there is no need for you to move forward with Lord Whitecombe.”

The earl narrowed his gaze in challenge. “I am not sure you understand what you are taking on, Your Grace.” He gestured towards Emilia.

The duke’s eyes met hers and softened. Emilia thought she saw a flicker of pain pass through them before he turned back to her uncle.

“I am generally a very patient man, Lord Moorfield.” The cold shift in his tone was subtle, but it made Emilia’s heart quicken, and her uncle stand up straighter. “Since I have arrived, every word you have spoken has been an insult to either your niece’s character or my honor and intelligence. Please tell me plainly, is there a reason you are against Lady Talbot marrying me?”

Lord Moorfield’s fists clenched at hisside.

“You misunderstand, Your Grace.” Lady Moorfield stepped between her husband and the duke. “We mean you no disrespect, but our Emilia has not been poised for such an opportunity.”

Our Emilia.

Emilia physically flinched at the term of endearment, and the duke’s eyes flickered to her again.

“You must see that we have our concerns about her becoming a duchess with such a delicate countenance,” her aunt continued. “We are worried she will not be able to stand up to the task.”

A flash of irritation crossed the duke’s expression. “That rather seems like it would be something for me to worry about, does it not?” He was no longer hiding his frustration.