Chapter Seven #4
“Why?” Alec asked quietly. “Da, I explained to you what happened. I have all but groveled at your feet, at mother’s feet, and at Peyton’s feet for forgiveness and I am at a loss to understand why you seem to consider my actions so severe.”
Brian’s brown eyes glared at his son, his heavy salt-and-pepper eyebrows lifting slightly.
“You fail to understand? Alec, you could have gravely injured Lady Peyton with your ranting over something as innocent as a term used to describe Ali’s race and I am deeply concerned what will happen in the future should she make an even harsher comment.
God’s Blood, Alec, what if she mentions Peter and you are offended?
Will you snap her neck and be sorry for it later? ”
“I never laid a hand on her and I never will. You know me better than that.”
“I thought I did until this gross display of temper. You scared the girl to death, Alec, and I do not blame her. What in the world possessed you?”
Alec pushed himself off the wall, massive arms folded in front of his chest as he paced the floor contemplatively.
“We have been over it. Do you truly wish to hear the same answer again? I mistook her remark against Ali and I raged violently because…. because I was angry that she appeared to be just like all of the other women who cannot see past the color of Ali’s skin.
But I was wrong. I am glad that I was mistaken in my assessment of the lady’s character and I am deeply ashamed of my outburst. What more is it you want me to say? ”
Brian’s jaw ticked as he listened to the explanation again. Slowly, he shook his head and lowered it to the vellum. “I have come to a decision. Mayhap I have been wrong in my assumption that you and the lady can establish a beneficial marriage. I do not believe Lady Peyton is suited for you and….”
“What?” Alec interrupted with genuine surprise. “Da, what are you…?”
Brian put up his hand sharply and spoke loudly over his son’s question. “And I have concluded that I should find a husband better suited for her temperament. She is an outspoken, willful young lady and she will need a husband who cannot be provoked by such character.”
Alec’s emotionless face took on real emotion. “That’s ridiculous. What happened between us was a misunderstanding and has nothing to do with her willful nature.”
Brian folded his hands calmly. “I know you agreed to marry her merely to acquire St. Cloven, but I am sure there will be a greater inheritance for you, eventually. You are young still, and I firmly believe there will be other prospects after Lady Peyton. In fact, Lady Caroline Morford was discussed as a possibility even before this situation with Lady Peyton arose.”
“As I recall, when you broached the subject of my betrothal to Lady Peyton, you did so because you feared it would be my best, final offer.” Alec’s shock was turning into an almost panicked anger, desperate to keep what he wanted. “I do not want Lady Caroline. I want Peyton and I shall have her.”
“You will do as I say,” his father cocked an eyebrow, sitting back in his chair. “I am afraid that I cannot, in good conscience, allow your marriage to Lady Peyton to take place.”
Alec visibly tensed. “Why not?”
“I thought I made myself quite clear. You and Lady Peyton are not suited for one another. I believe Lady Caroline will make an adequate spouse, for she is docile and obedient and….”
“I do not want Lady Caroline,” Alec repeated, his voice a growl. “Lady Peyton will be my wife.”
Brian’s eyes flashed with fury. “Listen to me well. Alec, you are the most controlled man I have ever had the fortune to know. I have never seen you become truly enraged, or truly happy, or truly sorrowful. You, my son, are the very model of a man who is in complete control of his emotions; even King Edward has made comment of your self-control,” he rose slowly.
“It concerns me deeply that this woman has the power to cause you to lose yourself. ’Tis not this one incident that causes me concern but, if you recall, you brought her back to Blackstone only yesterday morning unconscious.
You said it was an accident, yet she says you were less than gentle with her.
I shudder to think what will happen should she provoke you again and I cannot allow the death of your wife to be on my hands. ”
Alec was stunned. “Do you truly think I would murder her? I would sooner kill myself than harm her and what happened yester morn was indeed an accident. I was wresting her onto my horse and she fell and hit her head; nothing more.”
“So you have said. And rationally speaking, of course you would not kill the lady. But the destruction of this room is testimony to the fact that she can bait you into the realm of irrationality and therein would lay her murder.”
Alec shook his head in disbelief. “If I had a history of brutality, then I could understand your reasoning. But you better than anyone understand my attitude against violence. Peyton could never provoke me into such insanity that I would kill her.”
Brian’s gaze lingered a moment longer on his son before looking to the parchment again.
Aye, he knew Alec better than anyone, which was why his son’s display of temper frightened him.
Alec never lost his temper. He had been so positive that this marriage would be mutually advantageous, but after witnessing the destruction of his solar, he was forced to admit that mayhap the friction between Alec and Lady Peyton went far deeper than mere indifference.
When he had seen Alec embrace the lady yesterday during their engagement celebration, Brian hoped that all was finally well. But he could see that he had been mistaken; he knew he could not allow the marriage to take place, for the health of Lady Peyton and for the emotional stability of his son.
Brian picked up his quill. “The invitations to your wedding will be rescinded immediately and the lingering few guests from the engagement party will be sent on their way,” he began to scratch on the vellum before him, avoiding Alec’s searing gaze.
“The Warringtons have petitioned for the lady’s hand.
I shall invite them to Blackstone to draw up the particulars of the marriage contract. I shall find you another bride.”
Alec was angered in addition to being shocked. “You never told me that the Warringtons petitioned for her. Moreover, you said that there has been an ongoing feud between the de Fluornoys and the Warringtons.”
“There is. But if Lady Peyton marries the young Warrington pup, I will no longer have any reason to worry over the smoldering disharmony,” he eyed his son, almost guiltily.
“And I never told you they appealed for her hand because I was selfish. I wanted the lady for you and as reluctant as you were I thought it best not to tell you she had other offers.”
Alec did not reply for a moment. When he did, it was in a tone Brian had never before heard. Like the voice of God. “She will marry me, father. I want her.”
Brian raised his head to his son. “You mean you want St. Cloven. Lady Caroline is heiress to Burghley Castle, a far sight larger than St. Cloven, and since her betrothed died of a fever last spring she is mateless. With a little persuasion I am sure….”
“You obviously misunderstood. I said I want Lady Peyton, not St. Cloven.”
Brian turned from him coldly. “The matter is closed, Alec. I have no more time for you; I must send out missives canceling tonight’s ceremony.”
Alec was beyond anger. His mind was literally swirling. Yet as muddled as his brain was, he knew one thing for certain; there was no doubt that Peyton would be his wife. Without so much as a hind glance, he quit the room.
The first person he came into contact with was Ali in the foyer. His friend’s face was grim.
“What happened, Alec?”
“Where’s Peyton?”
“Your mother and her sister took her upstairs. Damnation, what did your father say?”
Alec’s jaw ticked and Ali knew that was not a good sign. “Outside with me.”
The two men marched outside, crossing the massive bailey and passing into the stable yards. Alec did not stop until he had reached his destrier’s stall and he was not surprised to realize that his anger had intensified during their short walk.
“Father plans to nullify the betrothal and I will not allow it. I plan to marry Peyton regardless.”
Ali let out a long hiss. “I have never known your father to over-react, Alec. But then again, I have never known you to destroy a room. What in the hell did she say that caused all of this?”
Alec eyed him a moment. “Nothing of consequence, for it was all a gross misunderstanding and I shall regret my actions until the day I die. God forgive me for harming her, however unintentionally.”
Midas, Alec’s huge silver warhorse, poked his head out of his stall and nibbled at Ali’s hair. “I know you did not mean to injure her. But she was quite hysterical and your mother was beside herself. Frankly, I am shocked by the entire event, for I have never known you to….”
“Enough, Ali. I know my mistake and I shall forever grieve my lapse. But what remains now is that I cannot allow my father to marry her to another.”
Ali shook his head, snorting ironically. “At first you did not want her. And now you refuse to let her go? Most puzzling, my friend.”
Alec’s jaw ticked and Ali watched with amazement; he had never seen Alec so emotional. “What do you plan to do?”
“Explain my actions as best I can and then marry her,” Alec replied quietly.
Ali leaned back against the stall, shoving Midas’ great head away. “You intend to force her into this marriage? Do you want St. Cloven so badly, Alec?”
Alec raised an eyebrow, staring pensively at his boots. “Nay, I do not want the manor as badly as I want its lady. I cannot explain my feelings, Ali. All I know is that I must have Peyton as my wife. I think…. I think I need her.”
“You need a woman who incites you into acts of destruction?” Ali peered closely at his friend.
“I have never known you to act in this manner. Obviously, she is very beautiful, but I fail to see why you need to marry her. It’s not…
. not because her hair is the color of Peter’s, is it? Do you somehow see your brother…?”
“Christ, no,” Alec waved him off irritably, pacing aimlessly to Midas’ great head and tickling the horse’s silk nose out of pure habit. “Oh, hell, Ali. I do not know why I need her. But I do, and I shall have her.”
Ali thought on his words a moment. “Very well, then,” he said decisively. “So you will marry her. What do you plan to do now?”
“I must talk to her,” Alec mumbled, staring at his horse as the animal nibbled at the wood of his stall. “And then I will spirit her away to Ely where we shall be married. Tonight.”
“Tonight?” Ali lifted his eyebrows.
Alec was silent a moment, deep in thought.
Then he straightened, facing his friend.
“Go to my bower and grab a large satchel and stuff it with anything you can get your hands on; clothes, food, anything else you can manage. I shall walk around to the window and you will drop the bag to me. Then, you will go and retrieve Peyton and bring her down here to the stables. Make sure Ivy does not come with you; I want Peyton alone.”
“And then what? You plan to remove her to Ely? What if she makes a reluctant bit of baggage on the back of your horse? She shall alert the entire fortress and your father will have your head for trying to abduct her.”
“She shall not be reluctant, I promise you. Now go and do as I have asked; I have no time to waste.”
Ali hesitated a brief moment, gazing at his friend in the weak light.
He had never known Alec to act rashly and was frankly astonished.
Alec had said he needed the Lady Peyton; since when did Alec need anyone?
But he understood somewhat; after all, he himself was certainly beginning to need Ivy in an odd sort of way.
Aye, he understood what it was to need someone.
“Alec,” he said softly. “Is she truly worth this trouble? Would it matter if she were to marry another? You would forget about her in time. After all, ’tis not as if you are in love with the woman.”
Alec’s head snapped to his ebony friend, his eyes glittering strangely.
Ali could almost read the emotions in the sky-blue depths as Alec attempted to discern what, exactly, he might be feeling.
He found that he could not adequately put his thoughts into words; he wasn’t even sure if the correct words existed. He wasn’t in love with her.
He couldn’t be.
After a moment, Alec simply turned his head away. “Nay, I am not in love with her. But I want her just the same.”