Page 10 of My Dangerous Duke

“I know,” Xander muttered bitterly, tossing him his shirt next. “Which is why you will come nowherenearthis Marcus again, and I mean that literally. I am sending you back to Larsen where you shall live as a hermit while I handle this. You are in luck, Cousin. It is notyouthat this pathetic social climber wants, butme.”

Richard started to ask a question, but Xander cut him off.

“And so, help me, Cousin,” he warned gravely, “If you attempt to involve grandmother in this, I will put you in the ground myself! All she needs to know is that you are tired of partying and I am going to be married.”

Richard’s eyes bulged suddenly and despite the trouble he knew he was in, he chuckled.

“Married?” He repeated. “You areactuallygetting married? To whom?”

Realizing he had only given Richard snippets of details, Xander explained how Victor cornered him at their last ball and presented him with evidence of Richard and Marcus’s love affair. In return for his silence on the rather scandalous matter, Xander had agreed to marry Victor’s youngest daughter, Eleanor, and make her a duchess. Which would, in turn, elevate his own status. Xander found the way the man was willing to use people particularly disgusting, but until he had a foolproof way to get out from his thumb, he had to play along.

“So, are you ready to tell me about him now?” Xander asked, looking at his cousin coolly. “He must really be something to change all of this.”

“Xander,” Richard pleaded, his usual sarcastic and smug nature long gone as he looked toward his older cousin, “I know I have made a fool of myself with my lecherous ways. I know I have caused this family unjust pain. But Marcus, he is different. I know how wrong this sounds, Cousin, but I love him.”

“Ha!” Xander barked, unable to believe his very ears. He turned toward Richard and marched toward him, stopping only when they were face to face.

“You were just in bed with a woman!” he stated, pointing toward it. “Mybed. You have been in many women’s beds since we have gotten here, and have visited nearly every woman’s bed in our land. It is not your level of debauchery that surprises or appalls me, Cousin, though I cannot say the same for theTonif they were ever to find out, but it is the fact that you claim you canlove.”

Richard’s brow furrowed as he shot Xander a dirty look, and quickly walked away from him.

“Like you would know more about love than I,” he shot back bitterly. “Your ledger is not pristine either, Xander. I may be known as a rake, but at least I am not known as a monster like you. People talk, you know. About how ruthless you are. Your force may not damage your reputation but it wins you no friends either.”

Xander realized at the moment that he had two options: to give in to his fury and beat his cousin to a bloody pulp- which would only cause more scandal- or walk away, and deal with his frustrations in a more suitable manner. Remembering that Jared’s missive was most likely on its way right now and that his grandmother would probably be arriving on the morrow, he chose the latter.

“I may be the monster I am known for,” Xander agreed, throwing Richard’s jacket- his final piece of clothing at him- “But it is the monster’s mercy that is saving your life. Go home, Richard. You have done enough damage here.”

Chapter 5

“Eleanor, you lookabsolutelyradiant!” Marina gushed, throwing her arms around Eleanor tightly. Despite her nerves, Eleanor let out a light laugh and returned the hug with just as much fervor. It was done. The banners had been read, and the vows were spoken. She was now the Duchess of Larsen.

“More like glistening,” Eleanor retorted, pulling back so she could dab her kerchief on her forehead. “I am sweating like a farmer; it is absolutely horrid.”

“No one has noticed your sweat, darling,” Cordelia replied sweetly, handing her friend her kerchief. “They were too focused on your beauty.”

“Truly,” Marina agreed quickly, delicately fluffing out the skirt of Eleanor’s shimmering wedding gown. “I have never seen you prettier. Your new grandmother has excellent taste.”

“Indeed, I do,” Margaret Harrison, Dowager Duchess of Larsen, and Eleanor’s new grandmother-in-law agreed as she joined the conversation. The older woman, dressed in a very regal emerald gown with a gold overlay for the occasion, smiled proudly at Eleanor as she squeezed her arm. In return, Eleanor smiled genuinely and reached for the woman’s white silk-gloved hands.

“You were a vision of grace and beauty up there with my grandson,” Margaret praised, her grey eyes shining with truth. “You did well, my girl. Very well.”

“Thank you, Your Grace,” Eleanor graciously replied.

“Now, now, no more of that,” Margaret chuckled, giving Eleanor’s hands. “It is Grandmama to you now.”

Margaret’s happy expression suddenly shifted into a furtive glance, and she leaned in closer.

“Though that kindness does not extend to your mother or sister,” the Dowager muttered into her ear.

At this, Eleanor could not help but laugh. She had liked her new grandmama right away, and one of the many reasons was that she was strong-willed enough to put her pompous family in their place. When the Dowager Duchess had first arrived to meet her grandson’s bride-to-be, she had immediately showered Eleanor with affection and praise, but shortly after that, she set about dashing her parents’ dreams of a large, gaudy wedding.

“This is not how our family shows success or happiness,” Margaret had said simply and stiffly. “All of this-” she paused, flitting her hand through the air- “Will simply not do. We shall have a small ceremony in four weeks, not four months. I do not know how it is you have gotten my grandson to propose but I am not giving him any time to back out.”

“Four weeks!” Her Mother had exclaimed. “That is too soon! People will think there is foul play afoot.”

“Nonsense,” Margaret had quickly retorted, looking at Mrs. Langley as if she were a simpleton. “My grandson is to be one and thirty this year. He should have been wed ages ago. At this point, waiting is moot and the wholeTonknows it. So, we shall hold the wedding four weeks from now. We may keep the church if you like, but the guest list will be small and the reception will be slightly larger.”

Eleanor had felt no guilt for the glee she reveled in when she watched her arrogant parents have their control taken away, and since then, had silently pledged allegiance to her new fairy grandmother.

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