Page 14 of In Service to the Duke

“Margaret,” I growl out, rubbing the space between my brows. “Now isn’t the time.”

“It’s never the time,” she cries out, flinging out her hands. “No one tells me anything. No one converses with me about things of import. Just boring facts, rote memorization, and learning to play blasted instruments which serve us no good.”

“You will watch your tongue. Sister or not, I can and will still discipline you.”

“No.”

That one simple word is enough to make me see red.

“What did you just say to me?”

“I think you heard me,” she snaps back.

“Oh, I heard you. I just didn’t think you’d be daft enough to double down on it.”

“Why? What exactly will you do to me? You’re not Father. You cannot punish me.”

I stop still at her words, grief slamming into me. For a moment, I’m unable to even see as sorrow and anger race through me, leaving me shaking. Normally mention of my father doesn’t cause these reactions, but hearing it from my sister’s lips?

Walking over, she reaches out to stroke my arm. Unable to handle the added stimulation, I yank myself away, not trusting my emotions not to run away with me. Margaret blinks, her own tears threatening to spill over.

“I- I’m sorry,” she whispers, a plaintive note in her tone. “I-”

“Leave me.” My voice is deathly calm as I do my best to process the emotions running through my heart, mind, and soul.

“Please, brother I-”

The doors open, revealing both my mother and a strange man bedecked with laces and a full cravat. She hobbles in, leaning heavily on a cane. My heart clenches as she gives me a watery smile before scanning the room.

In an instant, it turns into a fierce frown. “Where is Miss Gillet? It is time for the dance master’s lesson. Is she ill?”

“No, Mother,” I murmur, striding over with quick, measured steps to help her sit down. “She is attending another matter. Are you well enough to be a chaperone to the girls while I finish up some business?”

“Please, Son. I have been a mother longer than you have been alive. The girls are well within my care.”

The weak grin she gives me as she lays a shaking hand over her heart nearly makes me roar in impotent rage. It is a well-known fact that children are supposed to outlive their parents, but to see them suffer so seems needlessly cruel.

Margaret steps forward, “Please, Robert-”

I cut her off with a swift wave of my hand. “You are to attend to your lessons. We can continue the conversation at a later date.” Her face crumples at my words, but I cannot give her absolution for the speech so hastily spoken.

Words, once said aloud, cannot be taken back. This is a lesson she must learn. Thankfully, I will be her teacher instead of someone else from The Ton who can and would give her the cut direct. Better to learn these lessons now when the only consequence is ruffled feathers and hurt feelings.

Balling my hands into fists, I storm down the halls, allowing my anger to grow as I reach my study. Margaret was such a soft-spoken girl, and only one thing has changed that could bring out such a rebellious hellion. My lips curl up into a sneer as I fling the door open, coming face-to-face with the omega responsible for this upset.

CHAPTER 7

ROBERT

She stands before my desk, prim and proper, without a care in the world. Scenting the air, I drag in her intoxicating arousal. Perhaps she merely baited me to have me take her in hand again?

Could I really be so lucky? Sniffing again, I take in the delicate notes of anger, almost drowned out by the honeyed scent, but it’s there, nonetheless. She’s upset with me. Somehow, that’s even more aggravating than her mouthing off in the first place.

Slamming the door behind me and locking it with a click, my cock jerks at her surprised jump. She whirls around, eyes blazing with latent anger. God help me, but all it makes me want to do is kiss those trembling lips until she’s breathless.

I shake my head, dispelling the enticing image. Now is not a time for my cock to enter the conversation. Sliding around to sit at my desk, I prop my elbows up on the dark surface and lean forward onto my steepled fingers.

The moment she opens her mouth, I shake my head. “It would behoove you to stay silent and listen. I already have plans to discipline you for your actions in front of my sisters. Speak without permission, and you will add to it. Unless that is what you want.”