Page 33 of Stolen By the Cruel Duke
“Well, I believe felicitations are in order,” he said, his eyes flicking between Phineas and Iris. “I did not realize, when my daughter married you, Your Grace, that she was marrying a man she admired and cared for so much.”
“What are you talking about?” Phineas asked sharply.
Lord Carfield’s eyes sparkled with maliciousness. “It is clear that a bond has formed between the two of you,” he snarled. “I’m touched, truly, to see that Iris has found happiness. Especially since I was the one who brought you two together.”
The sarcasm of the comment sent a jolt of fury through Phineas.
“Bringing us together is the only good thing you’ve ever done in your life,” he snapped, before he could think better of it.
Lord Carfield’s lip curled. “So, it’s true. You really are in love. How… quaint.” Next to him, Phineas felt Iris stiffen. “I suspected as much, as the reports that I have received of your marital bliss have been exceedingly nauseating.”
Phineas’s face felt very hot, and he refused to look at his wife. He may have thought the wordsI love youto himself last night, but this was not exactly the moment for a romantic declaration—especially when it came from Lord Carfield’s mouth.
“What do you want, Carfield?” he demanded.
The Viscount sneered. “I heard you were visiting my mines?—”
“—on my land?—”
“Onmyland. And I wanted to let you know that I know you have combined forces.”
“What is that supposed to mean?”
It was the first time Iris had spoken, and she didn’t sound nearly as afraid as she had looked upstairs. Her voice was strong, and when Phineas glanced at her, she looked determined.
“It means what it means,” Lord Carfield said. “You are no longer spying on Eavestone for me. You are working with him to take me down. It would take a fool not to see it.”
Phineas swallowed.
Was it really so obvious?
“Now… I don’t know exactly what you are doing here,” Lord Carfield continued. “But as soon as I heard you were visiting the mines, I knew that you had decided, together, to try and harm my business. I’m here to tell you that it won’t happen. And that you both have been banned from ever stepping foot on my land again. Do you understand? If you come onto my property again—any of my properties—I will have you arrested for trespassing.”
He leaned threateningly toward them, and Phineas put a protective hand on Iris’s arm.
Lord Carfield’s eyes narrowed as he watched the movement. “I also have these,” he added as he reached into his bag and pulled out a sheaf of papers, which he shoved toward Phineas.
Phineas took them, and his heart sank as he quickly scanned the front paper.
“What is it?” Iris whispered.
“They’re documents certifying that my mines have been thoroughly evaluated and found to be safe and profitable,” Lord Carfield replied instead. “So whatever you are trying to do here to undermine me, it won’t work. I am a respectable business owner, and if you try to bring false accusations against me, you will see me in court.”
He straightened up, then turned to go. At the door, he paused and turned back around.
“And one last thing. You may have blocked my attempts to marry off Violet for now, but you haven’t heard the last of me. Good day.”
And then he slammed the door shut behind him and left.
After her father left, Iris started to shake. She seemed to have lost control of her legs, and she felt as if she were about to collapse.
Before she could, however, she felt Phineas’s arm wrap around her waist, and she looked up to see the calm blue eyes of her husband gazing down at her.
“Are you all right?” he asked, leading her over to the small sofa and helping her down onto it.
“I think my father just said I can never return to my childhood home,” Iris whispered. She knew she was in shock. Nothing felt real, least of all her father’s words. She looked up, and tears pricked her eyes. “He’s banned me from visiting my sisters!”
“Then they’ll come to us,” Phineas reassured her. He looked so resolute that she felt a glimmer of hope.
