Page 5 of Stolen By the Cruel Duke
“Still holding a grudge, are you, Eavestone? I think it’s time to let bygones be bygones, don’t you? We have other more pressing matters to discuss.”
Phineas nodded. “This is true. I didn’t come here to discuss the past. I came here to put to bed the specious rumors that I dishonored your daughter.”
The Viscount’s expression remained skeptical. “Yes, I heard the same disgusting gossip as you.”
“And yet, you did not call me out immediately upon reading the rumor.”
“I know you,” the Viscount countered. “And I knew you would do the honorable thing.”
Phineas considered this. The fact that the Viscount had not appeared on his doorstep with a sword and pistol the moment the article came out the day before gave him pause. His lack of fury now only confirmed his suspicions.
Is it possible that Carfield is pleased about the rumor? But why? He must think it is to his advantage.
If so, it disgusted Phineas beyond belief that a father would risk his daughter’s reputation for financial gain.
“I vehemently deny the accusations,” Phineas stated, his deep, resonant voice filling up the entire library. “I would never dishonor a young lady. I think we both know this to be true.”
“I know nothing of the sort,” Lord Carfield snapped. His eyes had narrowed, and his frown had deepened. “You have long had it out for me. How do I know you didn’t seduce my daughter to enact your revenge?”
“My quarrel is with you,” Phineas snarled. “Not with your daughter.”
“Do you take me for a fool?”
Lord Carfield’s eyes glittered with hate, and Phineas felt, for a moment, as if he was fifteen again, grief-stricken and vulnerable, feeling the sting of the Viscount’s ring against his cheek. As if on cue, the scar on his cheekbone tingled, and he struggled not to touch it.
It had been a long time since he’d felt that powerless, and he didn’t like the feeling one bit. Over the last ten years, he’d worked hard to make himself into the man he was today—fearsome, powerful, and in control of his emotions. No onewould ever again take advantage of the Duke of Eavestone. No one would ever again make him feel small, of that he was sure.
“I know how these things work,” Lord Carfield continued. “You see my daughter, icy but beautiful, twenty-three and still unmarried, and you think you can take advantage of her. Spinsters are desperate, you assume, so you court her in secret, make promises you have no intention to fulfill, until the moment she gives herself to you and you can take your revenge on me. Well, the jig is up, Eavestone. You’ve been caught, and fortunately, before it is too late. Now you will have to marry the girl, or you will have me to answer to.”
Red-hot fury radiated through Phineas. He hadn’t been this angry in years. Usually, he maintained a low level of simmering rage, a reminder of the vengeance he sought. But now, it took all his self-restraint to keep from leaping to his feet, seizing Lord Carfield by the cravat, and bludgeoning him. As it was, he couldn’t keep the anger from his voice when he spoke.
“You are throwing dangerous accusations, Lord Carfield. I am the last man on earth who would ever take advantage of a naive and innocent young lady.”
Except that’s what you just told James you would do, a small, nagging voice whispered in the back of his head.
“After what was done to me by the men who said they were my parents’ friends, I know better than most how it feels to be duped by people you trust.” His eyes bored into Lord Carfield’s, which, he was not surprised to see, did not look remotelyembarrassed. “The idea that I would ever abuse my power over a young lady is beyond reprehensible. I ought to call you out right here and now.”
Something in his voice must have told Lord Carfield he was serious, because the Viscount shifted and blinked, and his face grew pale. Licking his lips, he adopted a slightly more apologetic tone.
“Perhaps there is no truth to the rumor,” he conceded. “I cannot say for sure. The problem is, the story is out there, so regardless of its veracity, my daughter’s honor—and thus mine—is tainted. There must be a marriage, and quickly, in order to rectify this situation. Now… I believe I can sweeten this prospect for you.”
Phineas hadn’t been expecting this, but his face did not show a flicker of emotion or surprise as he continued to gaze steadily at the Viscount.
Lord Carfield smiled—a cool, calculating smile that did not reach his eyes—and held his hands out in supplication. “You will find I am not an ungenerous man, Your Grace. In order to encourage you to marry the girl, and to soften the blow somewhat, I am prepared to give you a stake in my coal mines. I believe you will find this offer more than fair.”
He reached into a drawer and pulled out a piece of paper, which he slid across the desk.
Phineas took the paper and unfolded it. It was not merely a percentage, he was surprised to see, but a legal contract drawn up by Lord Carfield’s solicitor.
He could not have arranged all this yesterday.
Phineas pretended to consider the offer in front of him.
If Carfield had this contract drawn up ahead of the printing of the gossip sheets, that meant he must have already known about the rumor.Not only known about it but figured out a way to make the marriage more appealing to me.
Which meant Phineas’s instincts were right—Lord Carfield had planted the rumor himself.
But why? What does he have to gain from this?
