Page 3 of Stolen By the Cruel Duke
“There are more things than our name at stake,” her father said dismissively. “Besides, you will save your reputation by marrying the Duke of Eavestone.”
Another wave of shock rocked through her, and Iris had to reach out and steady herself on the back of a chair. “But I have no desire to marry,” she whispered. “You know this.”
“I don’t care what you desire,” the Viscount snapped, his cool facade cracking for a moment. He took a deep breath, as if to collect himself, and looked at her very seriously. “As I’m sure you know, the Duke is a very powerful man. What you probably don’t know is that he and I have often been at odds in our business enterprises. Over the past few years, he has bankrupted several of my business associates, and recently it has been brought to my attention that he plans to do the same to me. I cannot allow this to happen. But Eavestone is cunning. And in order tounderstand his plans, I need someone on the inside. Someone who can watch him, take note of his plans, and report back to me. Someone close to him, like a wife.”
Iris gaped at her father. She had heard stories, over the years, of the ruthless deals the man before her had cut in order to secure his business interests. And it wasn’t unusual among the tonfor a daughter to be married off for the financial gain of the family. But she had never heard of something quite as mad as this.
“But why risk my reputation?” Iris asked numbly.
“Well, I could hardly just ask Eavestone outright to marry you.” Her father shook his head at her, as if he expected more of his eldest. “He would refuse me on principle alone. Which is why I had to resort to such unsavory tactics. Believe me, it gives me little pleasure to drag our family name through the mud. But needs must if I am to outmaneuver the Duke and ensure our family’s survival.”
“You want me to spy on Eavestone for you?” Iris could hardly believe what she was hearing. “But, won’t he suspect that?”
“Eavestone does not put much stock in the intelligence or cunning of young ladies, nor should he. He may suspect that I am trying to appease him, but he will not suspect that you are in on a plot to spy on him.”
“And what if he discovers it?” Iris was well aware of the legal rights husbands had to punish their wives, and she was not eagerto become the property of a man who would have reason to hate her.
“You will have my protection, as you do now.”
Iris swallowed. She was more than familiar with her father’s idea of protection.
As if he suspected her thoughts, the Viscount narrowed his eyes. “I will expect your full compliance in this matter, Iris. If not… there will be consequences.”
Iris’s stomach seemed to hollow out as she stared at her father.Consequencesalways meant something bad when it came to him. Memories—unbidden, long-buried memories—came flooding back to her—her father standing over her, red-faced, his fist shaking.
“I’ll marry you off to the cruelest, most vile man in England.”
“You deserve a husband who’s familiar with a cane, and I’ll make sure you get one.”
“The husband I’ll find for you will cure that temper of yours.”
“What consequences could be worse than marrying me off to the Duke of Eavestone?” she asked, her voice smaller than she would have liked.
Her father smiled, a cruel, pitiless smile that chilled her to the bone. “If you refuse, then I will marry your sisters off to the meanest, oldest, and most impoverished gentlemen I can find. I will ensure that their lives are miserable and that it will all be your fault.”
Iris’s mouth went dry. For a moment, she thought she might be sick. After all these years, her father had finally made her worst fears come true and turned his familiar threats on her sisters.
Anger surged through her, and a wooshing sound filled her ears. She had to lower her eyes and press her lips together to keep from lashing out with all her fury. Getting angry wouldn’t help anything. Her father had her cornered. He knew she would never let anything happen to her sisters, that she would do whatever he wanted in order to protect them.
But whowill protect me?
As usual, she would have to protect herself.
So, even as she shook with repressed anger, the gears in her head were turning, and a plan was starting to take shape.
Let him think I’ve given up.
The Viscount might have won this fight, but she would win the war.
Chapter Two
“I’ve never even met the girl, and now I’m accused of dallying with her?!”
Phineas Thorne, the Duke of Eavestone, prided himself on being able to keep a cool head under pressure. This, however, was beyond the pale. The idea that he would dishonor a young lady was intolerable—more than intolerable. It went against everything he stood for. Not to mention thatthisparticular young lady was the last one he would ever court.
Throwing the paper down on the table, the Duke glared across to the settee, where his best friend, Lord James Bolden, sat watching him. “And of all the young ladies,” he spat, “Miss Iris Crampton! The daughter of that infernal, backstabbing, treacherous snake? Why would I want to tie myself to that man?”
“It does seem unlikely,” James agreed, his tone infuriatingly matter-of-fact.
