Page 97 of A Duchess Bound
“All ofwhat?” Bridget asked, still sniffling.
Elias curled his fingers into the wood that ran across the back of the sofa. “Come to my study, Layton. There are some details that we need to discuss.”
Gerard stood, his eyes lingering still on Dorothy. “Of course.”
Dorothy clasped her hands together in her lap. He was going to marry Bridget and save them all from dishonor. It was a selfless, noble act, and with a cold wash of dread, Dorothy realized that it only made her love him more.
CHAPTER 34
The walk to Leedway’s study was filled with stony silence, and once they arrived in the room, Leedway still did not speak. He simply gestured to two armchairs beside the fireplace. Gerard settled into one, while Leedway produced two crystal-cut glasses and a decanter of brandy. Leedway filled the glasses, offered Gerard one, and settled into his own armchair, still without saying a word.
Gerard considered speaking, but this situation seemed like one in which he ought to defer to the brother. Doubtlessly, the man was in a state of bewilderment at how events had unfolded. If Gerard thought too deeply about what he had done, he might feel similarly about the turn of events.
“Have you been doing something untoward with my sister?” Leedway asked.
Gerard took a large swallow of brandy. “That is not what has prompted my proposal.”
Leedway’s jaw tightened. “Let me ask it another way. Have you been engaged in an affair with Dorothy? Did you hurt her?”
Gerard frowned.What should he say? Was it better to be honest and admit that he had, or was it better to lie and protest his innocence?Neither option seemed ideal.
“Yes,” he admitted at last. “But you need not worry. No one knows.”
That was not entirely truthful, but Gerard did not have to worry about Lady Everleigh telling anyone. She was an honorable and discreet woman, both good qualities in a lover.
“I do not care if anyone knows!” Leedway snapped.
He clearly did, or this whole affair with Lady Bridget would not have sent him into such a fury. Gerard suspected that it would be best not to draw attention to that little detail.
“You hurt my sister,” he said. “She has been utterly morose for these past few weeks, and Iknewthat it must be because a man hurt her. And you—youdid that!”
“Yes.”
“And now, you want to come into my house and offer your hand to my other sister,” Leedway continued. “What are you doing? What are your motivations for all of this?”
Gerard sighed and sipped his brandy. “Dorothy loves you and Lady Bridget very much. I find it admirable how much you care about one another. It would be shameful to watch such a good, loving family suffer.”
“Do you believe my sister did not suffer when you broke her heart?”
“No, I know she did.”
Leedway finished his drink and poured himself another, giving Gerard a look that seemed equally defiant and angry. “Why did you do it? If you care so much about this family, why did you hurt her?”
Gerard sighed. He set his glass aside and leaned his head back against the chair. “I knew that I could not give her everything she deserved. Your sister is so wonderful. Generous, kind, witty, beautiful…”
“And you hurt her,” Leedway said.
“I had to. How could I possibly be worthy of a woman like that?” Gerard asked. “I cannot give her everything that she wants or deserves, so I have resolved to give her what I can. If I marry Lady Bridget, all Dorothy’s efforts to see your sister wed this Season will not be in vain. I know that I am not the man you would wish to choose, but I will protect your sister’s reputation. I will treat her well.”
“You have proven that you do not know how to treat a woman well,” Leedway said.
“Dorothy deserves better. I cannot believe that you would disagree,” Gerard said, sighing. “So does Lady Bridget, truth be told. But we both know that neither of them are likely to receive better offers. Let me marry Lady Bridget, so she will have a husband—even if he is not the one you might have hoped for. That will be how I make amends to Dorothy. If I cannot be the man she deserves, I can be the man who saves her sister.”
Leedway furrowed his brow, confusion obvious in his face. “I see.”
“So do you accept?” Gerard asked.
“You do not wish to marry Bridget, but you will do so…for Dorothy?” Leedway asked. “Is that what you are saying?”
