Page 75 of Duchess By Accident
“Keep my wife’s name out of your filthy mouth or so help me...” Adrian took a step towards the man without thinking, his hand twitching.
Lord Bolton’s eyes widened but he did not step back. “Strike me, go on. You know you want to. It will only add fuel to this fire. The ton are itching to see you as the villain, to see me as the poor wounded soul.”
“The ton wants a villain. And I will give them one. But I promise, it will not be me who leaves this place utterly damned and reviled.” Adrian flexed his fingers.
“Bold words. But I sense they are just that.”
“They are a promise. And you would do well to save yourself.”
“You are full of hot air. You are just trying to scare me, but I am not some silly little maid with not one ounce of common sense.”
“No, you are an arrogant cad who has much sense as a gold privy.”
“You dare speak to me this way.”
“Oh, I dare. You are not frightened of me, but you should be. So what will you choose, sir? You can tell the ton the truth, all of it and hope that they will be merciful. Or you can feel the full force of my ire.” Adrian gave him a grin that promised only pain and suffering.I hope he chooses the latter.“You have until the count of three to save yourself.”
“You are a liar.” Lord Bolton shook his head, a bead of sweat trickling down his face.
Adrian’s smile only widened.
“One.” He held up one finger.
“You are trying to trick me into something. You have no proof that I have anything to do with any of these rumours. Or anything else.”
“Two.” He held up a second finger.
Behind them, he heard muffled shouting and commotion from the ballroom. The noise distracted Lord Bolton, who flinched.
“What on Earth?” the man frowned and tried to get past Adrian.
“Three.” He held up his final finger and felt a thrill of satisfaction run through him.
The noise behind them was growing. Adrian looked coolly at the Lord before him, who was full of bravado.I am going to enjoy this.
“You have made your choice.” And without waiting a moment longer, Adrian grabbed the man roughly and hoisted him upwards.
Lord Bolton yelped, trying to swing a fist at him, but Adrian avoided it as easily as dodging an overexcited kitten. He gripped Lord Bolton by the scruff of his coat, dragging him towards the ballroom.
“Unhand me.” Lord Bolton’s face was a deep purple, a vein in his head throbbing ominously.
“It did not have to be this way, remember that. You chose this.” Adrian quirked the corner of his mouth upwards, giving Lord Bolton a smile that promised nothing but pain. “But I would be lying if I said I am not glad that you chose this. I am going to enjoy this very much.”
In the ballroom someone was yelling about a thief. The doors opened just a crack, and the small red-haired boy appeared. He caught sight of Adrian and Lord Bolton, and a wide grin split his face.
“They’re waiting, Your Grace.” The boy bowed low.
“Thank you.”
“It was my pleasure.” The boy looked at Lord Bolton, none of the fear from earlier present. “I am looking forward to you getting what you deserve, Father.”
“Father?” Lord Bolton mouthed.
His eyes widened, darting from Adrian to the door and back. He began thrashing wildly, swinging his fists towards him. There was an animal desperation to his movements, and Adrian drank it in.
“You planned all of this. You… What are you going to do to me?” Lord Bolton spat.
“Nothing you do not deserve.” Adrian let his face go dark, deep fury emanating from every part of his soul. “I warned you, but you were too arrogant to listen. And now you will pay the price.”
