Page 14 of A Father's Insistence

He turns the taps off and dries his hands.

“Please just tell me someone else made her as frightened as a mouse? Because you know what’ll I’ll do if I find out it was you.”

“You know I’m not that sort of man.” I reply, staring back at him in the mirror.

“Ok, you need any help let me know. She’s a good wife for you.”

“Thank you,” I offer in gratitude to both his comments. “We need to get back. I don’t want to leave her alone for too long out there.”

He looks at the door, trying to understand my meaning. His mind working over-time, probably trying to link the breaking of the glass with the arrival of the Cavendish brothers. Sebastian is not titled. He’s from a rich family who have never been involved in the society from what my father has told me. He wouldn’t understand it, and I’m not about to involve him. I fold my arms across my chest in a gesture that tells him he’s not going to get any more out of me tonight.

“Ok. It’s best I don’t leave Emily alone for long, either. She really is terribly clumsy.”

We both leave the bathroom, and the first thing I see is Joanna with Nicholas Cavendish standing next to her. Emily’s brows are furrowed together in anguish, and Joanna is white as a sheet.

“Get away from her.” I stomp furiously across to them and push Joanna behind my back. Nicholas steps away and places his hands behind his back. His nostrils are flared with rage, but I can see he’s trying to control it.

“Theodore. Good to see you again … and married? I’ll have to inform your sister. I don’t think she’s aware yet.”

“Your Grace,” I show him deference to his title and bow. It sickens me, but I’m the better man, and I won’t allow my manners to slip. “I’m afraid we’ve only just returned from the country. I’ll be sure to arrange a meeting with my sister, at the first opportunity. I’m surprised she’s not with you tonight.”

Out of the corner of my eye, I see Sebastian take hold of Emily and pull her closely to him. I nod to him, confirming he’s fine to leave, and he leads Emily away. I really don’t want to involve him in what’s happening here.

Nicholas watches them go before he replies.

“As you know, your sister had a baby just over a month ago, and Rose takes up most of her time at the moment. I’ll be returning home to them as soon as possible.”

“So you can abuse them like you did Joanna?”

“I’m sorry?” Nicholas genuinely looks surprised, and I can’t help but think of him as a fantastic actor. “The only thing I’ve ever done to Lady Joanna is to brand her, and that was beyond my control. I’ve not seen her in over a year. In fact, the second I saw she was here, I came to check on her. I’m amazed to find she’s married to you.”

I snort a laugh at the utter stupidity of his declaration. We all know the truth, so there’s no point in lying about it anymore.

“Do I really look like a fool?” I snarl at him through gritted teeth.

“Do I need to answer that?” Nicholas retorts, and my anger flares enough that I ball a fist and prepare to send it flying into his smug rapist face. At that moment, William and Tamara appear, and Joanna grabs hold of my hand before I have a chance to make a show of myself.

“Please,” she whimpers with a cry of desperation.

“Ok.” I turn to her as William comes and stands steadfast beside his brother while Tamara stands next to her husband.

“Theo, please. Listen to them,” Tamara implores.

“Stay out of this,” I bark and focus my attention on Nicholas. “Isn’t it enough you have taken my sister and brainwashed her? And now you’ve wound your claws around Tamara as well. I may have lost them, but I’ll not let you take Joanna. You’ve done enough damage to her. I’ve seen the scars and heard the screams when she’s sleeping. You’re sick individuals…both of you.”

“Is he nuts?” William exclaims.

“Not now.” Nicholas holds his hand up to his brother.

“He must be if he thinks we did that to Joanna. It was his father who bought her.”

“William,” Nicholas replies tersely.

“Ok. Time for me to do that shut up thing.” Earl Lullington folds his arms across his chest.

“Thank you.” Nicholas breathes a sigh of relief. “Theodore, I don’t know what you’ve been told, but I’ve never hurt Joanna, save for the brand. If you just ask her, I’m sure she’ll confirm it.”

I feel Joanna press closer in behind me.

---