Page 62 of His Unwanted Duchess

Stephen swallowed hard, feeling anger surge up inside him.

What must I do to get this woman to leave me alone?

He risked a glance at Beatrice, who was looking between the two of them with a blank expression. She would be a fool not to feel the animosity radiating from Cornelia, and he knew full well that Beatrice was no fool.

“He’s a wretch, is he not, Duchess?” Cornelia said suddenly, her eyes fixed on Stephen. “He promises ladies to meet with themand then breaks his promise. What do you think of that, Your Grace? Of a man who breaks his promise?”

Beatrice didn’t immediately respond until Cornelia turned that cold blue gaze on her again.

Stephen knew from experience how intimidating it could be to find oneself on the receiving end of such a glare. It was one of the things that had attracted him to Cornelia in the first place—her core of steel, her disdain for sensibility, and her cold-heartedness. She had struck him as a woman who matched him in every aspect.

What a fool I was.She didmatch me, and that is not a good thing for either of us.

“I beg your pardon, Miss Thompson,” Beatrice managed, at last. “But what, exactly, are you saying? Do you have a prior acquaintance with my husband?”

Cornelia let out a resounding, scornful laugh. “Why, yes, Duchess! Oh, she is a sweet little thing, Stephen. What a wretch he is, Duchess, to be sure, leaving you alone for all these months. Naughty, naughty man! I’m sure we can bring him to heel between us. Or perhaps I can manage it for you.”

Beatrice recoiled, glancing up at Stephen as if expecting him to refute what the woman was saying.

The truth was, much as he hated to admit it, Stephen had been taken by surprise. He had not expected Cornelia here. She had followed him to Paris, which was odious enough, but he had been so sure that when he returned to England without telling her, she would take the hint.

She did not.

I was a fool. I underestimated her and overestimated myself.

“I am not sure now is the time for this conversation, Miss Thompson,” he said.

It was the wrong thing to say, as it turned out.

Cornelia narrowed her eyes at him, and Beatrice stiffened.

“It’s only that you did not meet me at the time we agreed upon,” Cornelia cooed, doing an excellent impression of wounded femininity. “I was worried. I’m sure Her Grace here will understand.”

“Oh, I understand perfectly,” Beatrice responded, her voice cold. “I do apologize, it’s clear you two have things to discuss. I should hate to keep you from yourmeetings, Stephen. I’ll return to the carriage.”

Before Stephen could say a word, she had snatched the champagne bottle out of his hand and turned on her heel, marching away, alone, in the foggy night.

CHAPTER 18

For a moment, Stephen stood where he was, dumbfounded, like a statue. Beatrice was storming away, her head down, her shoulders hunched, clearly furious.

To his surprise, he felt angry—angry onBeatrice’sbehalf. The simple pleasures of the day—the birth of Anna and Theo’s baby, their trip to Almack’s, the stars—they were all ruined. Ruined because ofher.

He turned to face Cornelia, who was standing in her flimsy, frilled pink dress, her arms folded across her chest, unrepentant.

“Why did you do that?” Stephen ground out, his voice flat and hard. He didn’t waste time trying to intimidate or glare at Cornelia. It wouldn’t work on her.

Cornelia’s eyebrows rose. “Because you owe me, Stephen. You can’t just cast me off like an old shoe.”

“I did not cast you off, and not even a fool would consider you anold shoe. You’re a famous woman—and a rich one, into the bargain.”

“That is not the point. I don’t like to be betrayed.”

He growled. “I did not betray you.”

“Then what is she? Hm, Stephen? You said you’d never marry. That is what you said, over and over again, and now you marry some plump, little spinster? She was an embarrassment even before you ruined her in front of the ton.” She paused, taking a step forward. “We never talked about that, did we? About her ruined wedding, and your part in it.”

“And we never shall,” he shot back. “Listen to this, Cornelia.”

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