Page 2 of Duchess By Accident
“Men like that are seldom content until they get their way.” Rose said, her voice soft.
“So it would seem.” Natalie dug her nails into the palms of her hands, welcoming the pain as a distraction from the despair threatening to overwhelm her. “And we must be content to live with it.”
“But why on Earth would Alexander give his consent to such a union? I am quite sure he referred to the man as the most insipid little weasel he has ever had the misfortune to meet.” Peter looked at Rose in confusion.
“He did not, nor would he ever give consent to Lord Bolton to marry your sister.” Rose explained, and Natalie could hear anedge to her voice. “He asked Alexander twice and both times he said no. Someone has simply said they are engaged.”
“And I suspect that someone is Lord Bolton.” Natalie grimaced.
“But surely we can simply get them to take it back? To print a correction?” Peter’s eyes widened, and the hope she could see in them made Natalie’s heart break. “Especially if Alexander has not given his consent.”
“There is a little more to it than that.” Natale gritted her teeth, forcing away the memory of a sweet, cloying taste from her mouth. “Lord Bolton cornered me in the library. He… I lost my temper with him and he took advantage of that. It looked… Well, it looked far less savoury when the Baroness Whitley and her servant entered the room. And it is that scene that the scandal sheets have so kindly shared.”
Her cheeks flushed as she remembered the look of horror on the women’s faces.I wish I had kicked him instead of just slapping the man.
Rose pursed her lips and looked at Natalie “I thought you said the baroness would not share the scandal?”
Natalie shrugged. “I do not think she would share it, she was more concerned with my safety.. And even if she were to deny the claims, the damage is already done. She would just be dragged into this whole sordid affair, and it would be her word against that of a Marquess.”
“Then it seems we are out of options.” Rose muttered, and Natalie could hear the frustration in her voice. Peter’s eyes darkened, his jaw tight as he said, “Then I will duel him. That is the only way to solve this issue.”
“Do not be ridiculous, your aim is so poor you would almost certainly be killed.” Natalie gave her brother a flat look. “Besides, I am a better shot.”
“But you are a woman, and you cannot duel.” Peter drew himself up to his full height.
Natalie did the same, which meant that they were eye-level with each other – she stifled down the usual awkwardness she felt about her great height.Now is not the time.“It is my future. Perhaps Ishouldget the chance to shoot the man who is trying to ruin my life!”
“I am your brother. It is my duty to protect you.” Peter insisted.
Natalie shook her head and moved away from him. “You cannot protect me if you are dead! Or an outlaw!”
“What I cannot do is stand by and simply let this happen to you! It is not fair. Or right. Or just! How can we claim to live in a civilised society when men like the Marquess are allowed to just do as they please?” Peter exclaimed, pacing about the room.
“Because the world is full of hypocrisy.” Natalie clenched her teeth, her eyes falling on the article on the front of the Morning Post. “But muscles and brawn will not fix this mess.”
“Neither will accepting your fate.” Peter glared around the room. “I will challenge Lord Bolton to a duel. One way or another you will be free of this mess.”
“You would have to kill him or you will be killed.” Natalie looked at her brother, saw the steely determination in his eyes and felt her heart twist.
Peter put a hand on his heart, his amber eyes sombre. “I would happily pay my life for your freedom.”
“No one is dying. No one is going to duel anyone. Rash and thoughtless actions will only make this situation worse.” Rose stood between the two of them, her tone the same one she used when her children were being particularly wild and unruly.
Peter flushed and Natalie could not quite meet her sister-in-law’s gaze.
Rose sighed, and placed a hand on Peter’s arm. “What we need is strategy. Clear heads and focus. There is no way Lord Bolton will be able to get a special licence or even a Bishop’s license, we can make sure of that. That gives us three weeks for the reading of the Banns.”
“What if we got someone to claim that Lord Bolton and Natalie are related?” Peter said, and Natalie could hear the excitement in his voice.
“We would need proof of that, and I do not know anyone capable of forging such things. Do you?” Rose’s voice was unamused.
Peter looked crestfallen. “Lies will not help us escape this. We need something true.”
“Well what do we know about Lord Bolton?” Rose asked.
As Rose asked this, Natalie’s eyes caught on the headline of the Morning Post.Knowledge is power.What did she know about Lord Bolton?
“He likes to win. He is vain.” Natalie murmured, her eyes skimming over the article. “And arrogant.”
