Page 23 of The Phantom Duke

Then, she would—at least—be safe with the other three standing nearby and able to support her. That situation would be far preferable to being left alone to face her father and his fury.

“As you wish,” Francesca said, curtseying.

The maid hurried from the room, and Maria uncurled from where she sat. She straightened her spine and clasped her hands in her lap.

“You look as though you are awaiting the gallows,” Evelina said.

“Do I? Well, I should like to think that my father has contemplated his misdeeds and found redemption, but I have my doubts.”

“We shall hope for the best,” Anna said, although she sounded equally uncertain.

After a moment, soft footfalls sounded in the other room. Maria inwardly braced herself for the coming confrontation. She curled her fingers into her skirts, trying to keep herself steady.

“Lord Sunspire,” Francesca declared, curtseying.

The ladies rose from where they sat. Maria’s stomach lurched, for her father’s sharp gaze landed at once on her. His thin lips curled into a cruel smile.

“I knew that you would be here,” he said, “hiding away with other degenerate women.”

“How dare you?” cried Theodora.

Evelina raised her brandy with a smirk. “Indeed, my lord. But why are you among us?”

“You know very well why!” he snapped.

“What do you want?” Maria asked.

“I told you what would happen if you defied my wishes,” her father sneered. “You clearly did not believe me.”

A lump rose in Maria’s throat, and a cold wash of terror crept over her. She thought of Gilbert, sick with fever, and the other children in the orphanage. Her thoughts threatened to flee from her, to go some place dreadful and dark, but she forced herself to be calm. She had a plan.

She did not need to worry. As long as His Grace accepted her terms, everything would be well.

“So,” her father continued. “I am here to take you back home, as you clearly refuse to leave.”

“Maria will go only if she desires to,” Evelina said, tipping her chin defiantly up. “You have no right to take her by force.”

He laughed mockingly. “Don’t I? Maria is my daughter! She will obey me.”

“I shall not,” Maria said.

“You shall!” he argued. “What other options do you have? Do you intend on being a spinster and living here withthemforever?”

“Maria is going to marry a duke!” Theodora declared.

For a moment, Maria’s father seemed genuinely taken aback. The man even stumbled a half-step back, as if the words had been a physical blow.

“A duke?” he asked. “As if any duke would have her!”

“It is true,” Maria said. “The Duke of Winterleigh wishes to marry me, and I intend to accept his gracious proposal.”

Unless he did not accept her terms. Maria dug her nails into her palms. If her father was still willing to carry through with his threat, she would have to marry His Grace, even if he refused to accept her terms.

“The Duke of Winterleigh?” her father scoffed.

“Yes,” Evelina said. “Maria is going to be the Duchess of Winterleigh.”

“And I will not leave,” Maria said. “I will remain here until our wedding.”