Page 5 of Three Nights with the Beastly Duke

The glimmer in Timothy’s eyes suddenly deadened, and he turned away from her to look toward Kenneth and Rebecca. “She’s come down with something or other,” he replied dismissively. Then, changing the subject, he nodded toward Arthur. “Thatis who your father has chosen for Rebecca? The Beast of Whitekin himself?”

Though she didn’t know much about Arthur, Timothy’s blatant taunting of him offended her. Timothy was not a gossiping man. In fact, it was why their friendship had lasted so long. But yet, here he was, saying cruel things about someone he’d never met.

“What anawfulthing to say, Lord Stonehames,” Lavinia stated, taking a step back from him. “I’ve never heard such harsh things come from your lips. Has your time back home hardened you?”

Timothy’s eyes snapped back to Lavinia’s, his gaze full of remorse. “Apologies, Vinnie,” he pleaded. “You know I hate it when you call me that. But yes, sadly, I believe you are right. Emily has been ill in some way or another during our stay at Stonehames Manor. I fear my worry for her has spoiled my mood. Do forgive my poor soul, though? I feel if I spend adequate time with you, I shall return to my happy self.”

Although still upset with him for his pettiness toward the Duke, Lavinia agreed to forgive him. They were, after all, childhood friends, and she was sure that he had a brotherly urge to protect not just her, but her sisters as well.

“Very well,” she agreed. “But you must promise me that you will not say such things again.”

“You have my word,” Timothy promised, picking up her hand to lay a chaste kiss on it.

After promising Timothy a dance later on, Lavinia parted from him and went to go find Rebecca, who had quickly made herself scarce after being introduced to the Duke. She found her alone in the nearby library, crying.

“Oh, my darling.” Lavinia sighed, going to her sister’s side. “You must calm yourself.”

“He’s even worse in person, Vinnie!” Rebecca wailed. “That scar! It’s awful. I could barely pay attention to what he was saying because of it. I cannot marry him, Vinnie. I won’t!”

“What is this?” Kenneth asked, coming into the room. “Why are the two of you hiding out in here? Rebecca, your fiancé and I were not finished talking with you yet. It was quite rude of you to walk away as you did. I demand you go out there immediately and apologize!”

“I won’t!” Rebecca repeated, stomping her foot hard on the floor as she rose.

“Papa, please,” Lavinia pleaded, “this arrangement clearly will not work. Break the engagement.”

Kenneth’s face began to turn red as he looked at his daughters, then he let out an exhausted sigh, and let his body collapse into a nearby chair.

“I have avoided saying this plainly in order to spare your feelings,” he told them, “but clearly that has done more harm than good. So, here is the truth. I’m getting old, my darlings. And I will not be around forever. I cannot pass my money or title or properties to you, as you are women, and if something were to happen to me, you’d be left penniless and homeless.Thatis why you must marry, Rebecca. The Duke may not be a handsome man or even a warm one, but he is rich and powerful. You will never be without a roof over your head or a dress on your back with him.”

“Oh, Papa,” Lavinia breathed, her heart aching for him.

He looked at her wearily. “It is too late for you.” He sighed. “And I have accepted that. But it is not for Rebecca and Agnes, and theymust getmarried. You are strong, Lavinia. You will be all right, no matter what happens to you.” He paused, turning his gaze toward Rebecca. “But you, my darling, are as delicate as a flower petal. Poverty will not suit you. So, no, I will not break this engagement.”

Lavinia kept her lips pressed together, her eyes pleading with Rebecca to tell their father of this other mystery suitor that she was already in love with. But instead, Rebecca only crossed her arms in resistance and turned away from their father. At this, he let out a long sigh and shook his head.

“I love you both very much,” he stated as he got up and walked toward the door. “But you both need to grow up.”

“Can you believe he said that?” Rebecca asked once they were alone. “When did Papa become so callous?!”

Lavinia didn’t answer. Her mind was churning at a fast rate, studying everything her father had said, and what her sisterhadn’tsaid. Rebecca would be fine if she married her mystery suitor, and Agnes, in all of her loveliness, would be easy to marry off when her time came. But her? She was, like her father had indicated, unsavable. Unless…

“Go tidy yourself up,” Lavinia urged, a plan formulating in her head. “I will take care of this.”

Rebecca’s eyebrows furrowed. “How?” she asked.

“Never you mind,” Lavinia replied, reaching for the paper and inkwell on a nearby writing desk. “Just do as I say.”

As Rebecca grumbled but ultimately obeyed, Lavinia sat down at the desk and began writing her note.

* * *

Arthur looked around the ballroom, mentally counting the minutes until it was suitable for him to leave. His introduction to Rebecca had been less than desirable. Her eyes had been drawn to his scar right away, and she had done nothing to hide the disgust on her face. He didn’t blame her. He couldn’t. But it still didn’t stop the sharp pain that traveled through his chest when a woman looked at him like that.

“Pardon me, Your Grace,” a valet said, pulling Arthur from his thoughts.

“Yes?” Arthur asked, looking up at the man from his seat.

The valet held out a small piece of folded paper to him as he bowed. “I am to deliver this message to you, Your Grace.” He bowed once more, then scurried away before Arthur could ask him what it was about.

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