Chapter 3 #2
“I am a full proponent of the idea that love grows with time and seasons,” he answers. “Besides, can you ever really know a person until you’ve spent time with them day and night? I say not. But I will take your well wishes and add them to the luck that seems to be abounding around.”
I tighten my grip, nearly pulling him in. “It isn’t luck you need,” I grin. “It is understanding. A woman like Miss Campbell is a rare treasure indeed. Careful, or you might find it easily lost.”
“And who is to do the taking? One might wonder. What, with the banns announced, she is mine.”
By now, a small crowd gathers, but my sisters and mother do their best to keep them at bay with other conversation.
“I mean you no threat,” I say as I release his hand. “Only that Miss Campbell is beloved by my family. The dowager duchess, Duke of Whiteport, and I, the Duke of Norhaven, hold her in high esteem. Though married, she will be still under our watch.”
His face pales slightly before turning an odd sort of pink. “Do you dare imply that my intended will require protection from me? I have never heard such an accusation before.”
“I imply no such thing. I only wish for you to know that she is cared for, is all. Take that into account with your nuptials. Henhaven,” I nod. “Miss Campbell. Kirden, I look forward to our meeting this afternoon, but find it would be better to do business after lunch.”
“Very well, Your Grace,” he says with a bow. “My home is ever yours.”
I turn and leave, unable to look at Miss Campbell’s sad expression any longer. Poor thing. Once she’s engaged to me instead, I’m sure she will be back to rights.
“No,” Lord Kirden pronounces.
“No?” I repeat, unsure if I had actually heard him. “I am a duke. He’s merely a viscount. How can you deny my suit?”
The older man looks at me and raises a brow before sitting behind his desk and lighting up a pipe.
“I suppose I should answer your question with one of my own. How is it that you’re just now coming to me, mere hours after the banns have been read?
If you truly cared for my daughter, why wait until she’s publicly engaged to another? ”
Guilt and anger gnaw at my insides like feral rats determined to escape their confines. “I was not in a position to do so.”
“Oh,” he chuckles. “And now you are? Now that she’s engaged to another? Such petty squabbles I find myself in the middle of.”
“‘Tis not petty. I care for the girl.”
“Right, and so does Henhaven.”
“Henhaven,” I snort. “A man she doesn’t even know? A man who doesn’t even seem to understand the nature and needs of the woman he’s engaged to?”
Kirden raises his eyebrow once more and leans forward as his voice lowers and becomes a touch more sinister. “And what would you know of her needs?”
“Come now,” I scoff, doing my best to defuse the tenor of his accusation.
“She is with my sisters at every chance. I have grown up beside her and know more than some stranger could. Besides, what can he offer that I cannot? Your daughter would be a duchess. Your family esteemed. Come. What is your sum? I will pay it and more.”
Seemingly satisfied with my answer, he leans back and takes a puff of his pipe, watching me with such scrutiny as he inhales.
He takes his time, dragging it out, before coming forward once more to set his pipe down and steeple his hands.
“You think my daughter is an animal to be bought and sold? For shame. ‘Tisn’t about the money. Though extra coin would not go amiss. Henhaven spoke for her first. Fair and simple. He is a spotless choice. Not a whiff of scandal, unlike your family. It would destroy an innocent man to call off the engagement now. Not to mention what it would do to my daughter’s reputation.
If you care for her at all, you’d let her be and allow her to marry Henhaven.
I’m sure you’ll find some other girl. The marriage mart is still full, and I dare say a new gaggle of lady flesh will be presented next year. ”
“It is not some other girl I desire,” I grind out as anger and desperation war inside. “There is not some new awaiting bit of skirt that I long to chase. Only Miss Campbell.”
“If that were true, you would have been here long before. She was available to you for nearly two whole seasons. She languished, pushed ever closer to becoming a spinster. For what? For you to play games with her affections? No. My answer is, and will always be, no. You do not have her best interests at heart. You only want what your cock now cannot have.”
I slam my palms against his desk, fury fueling my words. “Such a declaration when you cannot know my heart.”
“You are a man. An Alpha. I know your nature true enough.”
Snarling, I glower at the man. “And if I find a blemish on Henhaven fit for scandal?”
A weary sigh passes through his lips as he shakes his head.
“Bring me such evidence, irrefutable, mind you, and I’ll break the engagement, shattering his reputation in the process.
Then, and only then, will she be free for you to scoop up.
But hear me when I say this, Norhaven. I will not have you turning her head.
I will not have you trifling with her affections or leading her to believe you will succeed in this futile quest. I will have my daughter unscathed by the heat of your affection. ”
At this point, all I can do is nod as I tear out of the modest house. If the only thing that stands between me and Miss Campbell is Henhaven’s downfall, then I will ferret out every scandalous secret until he’s destroyed.