Page 36

Moreland

A nticipation surged through my veins the following morning when I woke.

The sensation wasn’t dissimilar to the way I felt before beginning a match at Gentleman Jackson’s.

I wasn’t about to engage in a physical fight, but I was most definitely going into battle.

Instead of fists, the weapons would be words and displays of power.

I took great care when dressing, choosing my most expensive watch fob and adding a diamond stick pin in my cravat.

My waistcoat was made from a rich blue silk, and my tailcoat and trousers had been procured from the most sought-after tailor on Bond Street.

In terms of social status, I was beneath Victoria.

She was a duke’s daughter, and I was merely a baron, but I would not be an embarrassment to her today.

I left the house just before noon. Rexford had sent word that the meeting was scheduled for one o’clock in the afternoon. I knew that he liked to wake early in the morning, and Victoria seemed to share that habit, but I purposely chose not to arrive too soon.

I’d learned over the years that before beginning a boxing match, it was important not to show a hint of weakness.

I feared that arriving too early would be a disservice to Victoria.

I was sure she would be prepared for the meeting.

I’d witnessed firsthand the way Rexford could infuse those around him with his calm confidence, whereas with me, she tended to confide her deepest fears.

I didn’t want her dwelling on what could go wrong before her father arrived.

Much as I’d hated it, Rexford had been correct in sending me away last night.

My nervous energy would have undermined the calm demeanor we all needed to project.

I took note of the fact that Rexford still had men watching the house. I waved to them casually and let myself into the townhouse. Two footmen stood in the hallway, their muscles tense and ready for action. They relaxed when they saw me.

I nodded to them and turned into the drawing room.

Relief swept through me when I saw Victoria.

She sat on the edge of the settee, her hands folded in her lap, wearing a demure pale-yellow gown that I knew her father would approve of.

Like the footmen in the hallway, her muscles were tense.

When she saw me, she leaped to her feet and rushed into my arms. Relief flooded me as I drew her close.

Only then did I notice that Rexford was also in the room. He leaned back in an armchair, his arms folded over his chest, one brow raised as he watched us.

I turned back to Victoria and dropped a kiss on her temple. “It will be over soon.”

She nodded against my chest, then took a deep breath, as though filling her lungs with my scent, before stepping away. “Yes. Father likes to be early. He says it sets his opponents on edge.”

Of course it would. We lived in a society where people liked to roll out of bed in the middle of the afternoon. Arriving early would ensure that his opponents weren’t at their best. I felt a moment of panic. “He hasn’t…”

Rexford shook his head. “No. He should realize that we’d be prepared for his usual antics.”

Victoria glanced at her brother. “The meeting was set for two o’clock, but since it is almost one o’clock, I expect?—”

Someone knocked at the door.

“There he is.” Rexford rose to his feet. “Still up to his same old tricks.”

Victoria smiled at me. “I’m glad you’re here.”

I kissed her quickly. “I wouldn’t be anywhere else.”

She beamed up at me, then moved back to the settee.

I wanted to sit next to her, but we weren’t yet betrothed. Instead, I went to stand next to Rexford. “Everything is in order?”

Rexford nodded. The front door opened, and moments later, the Duke of Sherbourne stepped into the drawing room. No one was surprised that he hadn’t waited to be announced.

His gaze moved over the inhabitants of the room, his jaw tightening when he settled on Victoria. “You’ve given me a great deal of trouble.”

I watched the way her face betrayed not a hint of emotion at her father’s words. She was used to being berated by him, after all.

He looked at Rexford next. “I expected nothing less from you.”

Then his contemptuous regard fell on me. “I’d hoped we could discuss this matter without complications being present.”

I kept my muscles loose. If he thought I was merely a complication, he had vastly underestimated me. He moved into the room, leaning heavily on his cane, and settled onto the settee.

I noticed the imperceptible tightening of Victoria’s fingers on her lap before she forced herself to loosen them.

Sherbourne pulled a folded note from his pocket.

“I received a visit from Lord Brantford yesterday evening. I must say, you’ve all unnecessarily muddled this entire situation.

” He turned to look at Victoria. “Apparently, you were successful in keeping your delicate sensibilities hidden from me. I’d assumed that the daughter I raised knew her place.

But clearly, you inherited the same defect as your brother, choosing to run away instead of staying and performing your duties.

” He dropped the note on the settee between him and his daughter.

“I’ve taken the opportunity to compose a list of suitable candidates for your hand in marriage.

I don’t understand why you’re against Lord Heddington, but I’m sure you will find someone suitable on that list.”

Victoria’s eyes fell on the paper, then she looked up at me.

Sherbourne scowled. “If your qualms are with his age, you’ll find a wide variety of suitable gentlemen listed. You can have anyone you want. You don’t need to settle for a baron.”

He didn’t even look at me when he said the word. In his mind, I was a nonentity. Victoria continued to look at me.

I smiled at her. “Take a look at the note, Victoria. Your father won’t be satisfied until he realizes that there is no one you would rather have.”

Her gaze stayed on me for several seconds, then she looked at Rexford. Her brother nodded. She reached for the note and unfolded it before scanning the list.

“As you can see, I’ve taken your delicate sensibilities into consideration.

” Sherbourne’s voice dripped with disapproval.

“I will see to it that any of those men are made aware that you would be open to a courtship. I’m sure, given everything that you have learned of late, that you wouldn’t find it difficult to entice one into offering for you. ”

My fists curled at my side, and I took a step forward, ready to call this man out for impugning his daughter in such a way. Rexford grabbed my arm and stopped me.

“And what about your financial situation?” he said. “Would those men care that you don’t have the money for Victoria’s dowry?”

Sherbourne shrugged. “I have a few unentailed estates. It would be a simple matter to sell one of them.”

I clasped my hands behind my back, trying to control my fury, but Rexford was right. I needed to maintain the appearance of calm.

That didn’t mean I had to remain silent. “I, on the other hand, wouldn’t need to sell any of my holdings. Nor do I require a dowry. I have more than enough money to provide for your daughter.”

“You’ve done enough.” Sherbourne rose to his feet, his face mottled with anger. “Victoria is far above your reach, and you cannot have her.”

“Enough.” Victoria stood and faced her father, the list clutched in her hands. “The decision is mine. I have given your suggestions my careful consideration, and I must decline your offer.”

Then she tore the list in two and tossed it back onto the settee.