Page 90 of Her Lion of a Duke
“Lord Renshaw, I?—”
“Do not try to tell me another lie. The two of you practically clung to one another. Now, you are here, and he is there, and from what your aunt has told me, you are miserable.”
Cecilia flushed pink. Her aunt was quickly becoming someone that she did not trust or like. The betrayal stung.
“You see?” he continued. “Believe me, I know my cousin very well. He is stubborn and will not listen to reason. His brother was much the same. I understand that it is difficult, but you should know that whatever happened was not your fault. You may not like me, but I want to help you.”
“I do not need your help, My Lord. I am perfectly happy in my marriage, and I am only visiting because my cousin needs assistance. I am pleased that I arrived when I did, for you and I both know your intentions.”
“I do not hide my intentions. I wish to be powerful, like any man, and I want a beautiful wife who will not question me. Your cousin can fulfil that role.”
“And what of your biggest desire? How are you going to find that power when Clara is only a young lady?”
“That is for me to figure out.” He chuckled. “In the meantime, you should know that I will soon be very powerful indeed, and I believe that you would rather have me as an ally than an enemy.”
Cecilia hoped that he was merely threatening her, but the conviction in his voice unsettled her. He meant every word that he said, and he intended to carry out his plans, whatever they were.
“I have always thought that you were too good for my cousin,” he admitted quietly, his eyes boring into hers. “You are beautiful and sharp and quick-witted. I do not know what you see in him, truly.”
“He is kind to me,” she snapped, “and a wonderful man. He would do anything to protect me, including from unwanted advances.”
“I do not appreciate such an accusation.”
“And I do not appreciate you being so close to me.”
They fell silent for a moment, and it was Lord Renshaw who backed down first. He leaned away from her.
Thunder boomed again, lightning flashing intermittently. Cecilia used it as an excuse to stand up and walk over to the window. She heard Lord Renshaw follow her, but she no longer wished to acknowledge him. She focused on the rain and the thunder and let her thoughts run with them.
“I meant what I said,” Lord Renshaw said softly. “You are too good for him.”
“Clara is too good for you, and yet here you are. If you wish to adhere to your morals, perhaps make sure that you are aligned with them first.”
“I am not worthy of her yet, but I will be. Believe me, my plans are years in the making. It is a waiting game, but I have always been ready for it. It will all soon come to fruition, and with the way things are right now, it may be best that you stay with your aunt.”
“I will be returning home. I am attending to Clara, then I will see my good friend and return to my husband. We will live our lives together without any issues, and you will ensure that you do not ruin that.”
“I do not think you want that. In any case, you will decide where your loyalties lie, and you will have to handle what comes your way.”
He laughed coldly, then turned to leave.
Cecilia was frozen in place, wondering what he meant by that. There had to be something he knew about Leonard that he was not revealing, and there was a chance that it would change everything if she knew.
And yet she did not believe it. She had faith in her husband, whether they were doing well or not. Even if Lord Renshaw had plans, it did not mean that they would come to fruition. He thought highly of himself, but the truth was that he was a sad little man who had some wealth but not much more.
He envied them, and that envy would ruin him, eventually.
Her thoughts were interrupted by a sudden pounding on the door.
Startled, she turned and left the room. She watched as the front door opened, wishing desperately that it was Leonard, even though she knew that he was at Pridefield Manor, likely not missing her at all.
He must be enjoying his peace, wondering why he married her in the first place. She told herself that she would not see him again until she went back home, and it would be her fight to handle.
And yet there was no mistaking the man who entered. Tall, imposing, devilishly handsome. It was Leonard, and when he looked up and saw her, she could swear there was a small smile on his face.
“Hello, Duchess,” he greeted softly. “It would seem that you and I have something to discuss.”
CHAPTER 31
