Page 99 of A Misguided Devotion

“Indeed. The scandal might even send her husband to his grave. That his wife’s grandson would stoop so low as to wed the offspring of his brother’s by-blow—”

How could Hugh be so cruel as to suggest such a thing? It wouldn’t be such a tremendous scandal—would it? A seed of doubt had been sown, which must have been his intent. But why did he wish to eradicate any hope she had of marrying William?

As the carriage disappeared from sight, Hugh squeezed her hand possessively. She wanted to yank it away, but his grip was firm.

“With Lord Droxford gone, I trust you will be able to think clearly about my proposal of marriage and give me a positive answer. There has been no word from your brother. I fear you are all alone in the world. I cannot offer you what your heart desires, but I can provide you with a comfortable home.”

Kitty narrowed her eyes. Why did he continue to seek her as his bride when he had denigrated her parentage so thoroughly and suspected she was in love with someone else?

“You wonder why I still want to wed you? Because I can do what Lord Droxford cannot. As your husband, I will have the power to write to the Duke of Wessex on your behalf. His Grace will pay handsomely to keep such a scandal buried. You will be well recompensed for the way your grandmother was treated.”

This was why Hugh wanted to marry her? He must have known about her grandfather’s relationship to the Duke all along. Thank goodness William had been brave enough to tell her before he left, so at least she was prepared.

But how could Hugh believe she would be motivated by such a cause? Did he know her so little? She could no longer pretend she was considering his proposal. Every feeling within her revolted.

She leaned away from him, pulling her chin in hard against her throat. “No!”

Hugh wrinkled his nose in disdain. “Given your background, this is your only chance for a respectable future.”

He led her inside and shut the front door before dropping her arm as if she had the plague. “Don’t be so quick to scorn my offer. It will not stay open indefinitely.”

He walked away, leaving Kitty in the entrance hall, quivering like a jelly. William was right. She was not safe here. She should have left whilst she had the chance. All she could do now was pray he would come back for her.

William could not get his last view of Kitty out of his head. Seeing her standing so close to Mr Barrington had twisted his insides. He spent the entire journey to Weymouth trying to decide why she was waving at him. To convince him that she would be all right, or to wave him out of her life?

He had asked her to wait for him, but she’d given him no assurances. Did she think his return so unlikely that she would accept Mr Barrington instead? The notion was unbearable.

Twice, he’d been on the verge of turning the horses around to make her leave with him. But then he remembered why she had insisted on staying and kept going. He must persuade his father to consent to their wedding.

The carriage pulled up outside his grandmother’s house, and the door opened before him. He walked up the steps, but did no more than nod at Rowson. His dissatisfaction with the way he had left things was mounting. He hurried upstairs and headed for his bedchamber, but as he strode along the corridor, his twin burst out of the drawing room.

“Will! How lovely to see you. You’re just in time for dinner. Shall I ask Rowson to lay another place?”

“No!”

“No need to snap.” She enfolded him in a sisterly hug. “What’s wrong?”

He shook free of her embrace. He didn’t want anyone to touch him. Not now. His frustration had been building since leaving Rufus House, and he doubted his ability to keep his temper in check.

Charlotte crossed her arms and stared at him. “It’s Kitty, isn’t it?”

Trust his twin to pour salt on the wound. “Who made you an expert on love?”

She blanched and retreated into the drawing room, but before he’d taken two paces, Anthony came out in her place.

“What have you done to distress your sister?”

William scowled at him. “Leave me alone.”

He tried to walk away, but his friend grasped him by the arm. “Not a chance. Lotta says something’s wrong, and I intend to find out what it is before you upset her again.”

Anthony marched him into the drawing room and shut the door with his foot before releasing him. Both his younger sisters stared at him with more compassion than he deserved after snapping at Charlotte.

“Where’s Kitty?” asked Hetta.

“Back on Portland.” Instead of here. With him.

“Then you’ve let her go?”