Page 19 of A Bride for the Devilish Duke
“Papa, many, many people owe their home to another. To be a tenant is the lot of the majority of honorable, decent...” Emma began.
It was an old argument that she knew was futile with her father.
“I will not hear it, Emma!” he snapped. “To be a commoner without rank or title is to be a tenant. And many commoners do not rent. We are beneath those commoners. It rankles that as the head of an old English family, an Earl who can trace his lineageback to the Danes, I cannot keep a roof over my children’s heads. An Englishman's home is his castle. I must pretend that Sutherland's home is my castle. A…man,beneath my rank in both title and character.”
Emma remained silent. She did not share her father's deep-seated shame at the family's straitened circumstances. It was not the result of decadence or gambling, nor the legacy of a degenerate Earl frittering away the family fortune. It was the result of bad fortune. But Duncan took their downturn personally. He took it as a reflection of him, of his own failings.
“The rent he is asking for is already at the limit of our means,” Emma murmured, looking wistfully out at the body of water.
“And the leech seeks to drain more from us,” Duncan grumbled. “Or...”
Emma waited, but her father did not finish his sentence. A chill ran through her. What could be so terrible that her father could not speak of it to her?
“Or the rent will remain the same, and he will accept Josephine's hand in marriage.”
“No!” Emma snapped instinctively.
Duncan sighed. “My reaction too, but what choice do we have?”
He suddenly seemed weary, like a man twice his age, a man weary of fighting. That shocked Emma. Her father was a warrior,indefatigable.
“There is a choice. The only choice. I see that now. I see the connection between the two letters,” Emma finally conceded. “If I marry the Duke of Redmane, then his resources shall be available to us. Josie will be safe.”
CHAPTER SEVEN
Damien chose to ride to Montrose Hall. The day was fine and warm, and he always preferred the freedom of the open air to the close confinement of a carriage. The house was modest in its proportions but showing signs of age and wear. As he dismounted before the house, he wondered at the flaking paint visible here and there and the overgrown state of the park.
Was this a reflection of Montrose’s means? Damien did not seek a dowry, but perhaps it was fortunate. He may not have the money to provide one. He must not allow that subject to be raised. It would dishonor him and may spoil the plan.
A servant took his horse to the stables and Damien was led into the house where he was greeted by Duncan and Emma Montrose. Emma's auburn hair was lustrous, falling in waves to her bare shoulders. Her skin was pale and pristine. Her verdant dress complimented her figure, clinging and hinting at what lay beneath. Her eyes, paler than her hair and alive with suppressedvigor, captivated him. After bowing over her hand, he had to force his eyes away from her.
My God but she is beautiful. Steel yourself, old boy.
“Will you join me in the library for brandy and a cigar before dinner?” Duncan remarked. “And we may discuss the business at hand.”
Damien was about to answer when he heard the door open behind him and a servant announce a new arrival.
“Sir Silas Sutherland.”
Emma looked to Duncan. Duncan Montrose looked beyond Damien to the newcomer. His face hardened. Damien turned. A man with dark hair and a long, pinched face was striding through the door towards them. He swung a cane with a jaunty flourish, looking for all the world like he owned the house he had just entered.
“Sir Silas, welcome!” Duncan greeted enthusiastically.
Now, Damien was no self-proclaimed reader of men, but had he detected a hint of unpleasantness in the man’s tone?
“Montrose, a pleasure as always. Lady Emma, an especial pleasure. Might Lady Josephine be somewhere nearby too?”
He ignored Damien and looked around as though expecting Josephine to be hiding behind the drapes.
“She is preparing for dinner,” Emma smiled.
“Excellent. I am particularly looking forward to this evening!”
Damien looked askance at Emma, then to Duncan.
“Oh, forgive my manners, Your Grace,” Duncan hastened to put in. “May I introduce Sir Silas Sutherland. Sir Silas, allow me to introduce His Grace, the Duke of Redmane.”
Sir Silas' eyes widened a touch at the name, then narrowed before being hidden behind a grin.
