Page 48 of The Duke of Kisses
“I was trying to prevent a disaster,” he said, thinking it should have been obvious.
Confusion clouded her eyes briefly before she pursed her lips. “I’m speaking of Miss Stoke. You’re not going to honor your promise?”
Irritation at her meddling crested within him. “A promise she never should have known about. You broke a family confidence.”
His mother’s eyes narrowed. “I didn’t realize it was a confidence. It was an agreement your father made with her father, and you committed to it.”
David gritted his teeth. “In private.”
“Does that make it less binding? Were you being disingenuous with your father before he died?” The question stung with the force of her derision.
“I’m not going to discuss this with you here,” he said quietly but firmly.
She inhaled, stretching her frame. “Then we’ll discuss it later.”
“No, we won’t. This is none of your affair, and I won’t tolerate you inserting yourself in my personal business.”
Her eyes widened, then settled into a glare. “You won’ttolerateme?”
“Not about this.”
“I’m not going to sit quietly by and watch you lower yourself to court Miss Snowden,” she hissed.
David gaped at her. “Lowermyself? Her sister’s a bloody duchess.” He shook his head. “We’re not discussing this here. Or anywhere. If you can’t keep your opinions to yourself, I’ll ask you to leave.”
Anger blistered his insides as he spun from her and strode from the ballroom. By the time he got outside, Anthony and Ware were speaking with Royston in low tones.
Eager to focus on something other than his mother’s horrid behavior, he asked where Hornsby had gone. “We convinced him to take himself off,” Anthony said.
David looked between them, his gaze settling on Royston , who seemed a bit pale. “Did you also convince him that a duel is a terrible idea?”
“Not quite,” Ware said. “However, I think he’ll get there. I agreed to be Royston’s second and will speak with Hornsby’s second later. For now, we’re going to take Royston to the club for a much-needed drink. Are you coming?”
“Absolutely.” He was also in much need of a drink.
His mother’s onslaught about Miss Stoke was troubling, but nothing he wouldn’t overcome, even if he had to send the countess packing. He wasn’t going to let her—or anyone else—come between him and Fanny.
* * *
Conversation in the ballroom climbed as the gentlemen left. Fanny and Sarah had watched the entire spectacle, moving out of the shadows of the corner to achieve a better vantage point. Fanny wondered how David had managed to be in the thick of it but, of course, would never have the chance to ask him.
“I’ll get the full details of that from Anthony,” Sarah said.
They hadn’t been able to hear what had gone on, but it looked as if David, Anthony, and Ware had prevented the other two gentlemen from coming to blows.
Sarah looked at her with concern and picked up the discussion they’d been having when the excitement had started. “You’re certain you don’t wish to leave?”
“No, I refuse to be bothered by him dancing with Miss Stoke.” Fanny said it to convince herself as much as Sarah. Because it did bother her. So much.
“You’re far too kind,” Sarah said softly, touching Fanny’s arm briefly but with great warmth. “I wouldn’t care about some promise he’d made, not when there was clearly something between the two of you.”
“You say that now, but you’d do the same in my position. David’s father meant a great deal to him, and promises made to those who are dying shouldn’t be tossed aside.” No matter how badly she wanted them to be.
“People shouldn’t marry someone because someone else wants them to.” It was hard to tell if Sarah was still speaking about David or herself.
“Is your mother pushing you toward someone in particular?” So far she hadn’t, but Sarah’s parents wanted her married. They had no interest in supporting her into spinsterhood.
“Not yet, but I fear it’s coming.” Sarah glanced around the ballroom. “Speaking of my mother, I see her threading her way in our direction.” She exhaled in resignation.
