Something Scandalous

“I can live with Sophie.”

Impotent anger surged in him. “So it is better to go live with a woman who is a bastard?”

“That is dreadfully unkind,” Elizabeth retorted.

“Yes, it is. But that is exactly what people will say. Leaving the house will only cause more talk, not less.” He could not let her go. There had to be some way he could convince her to stay.

“I realize that, but I can say I am staying with her while her aunt goes to visit relatives.”

“No.”

Elizabeth frowned. “What do you mean, no?”

“I will not allow you to leave.” After all, he was the duke and that had to mean something. Surely, he must have some power over her.

“You have no say in this.”

He finally remembered the one thing that would make her stay. “If you leave the house, then I shall, too.”

“What do you mean?”

“I will pack up the house and return to America. Immediately. I shall install Richard and Caroline to manage the estates and send me an allowance from the returns. They will control the properties.”

“You would not dare!”

He leaned forward. “Oh, yes I would.”

“I hate you,” she whispered.

“No, you do not,” he whispered back. “And that is the real problem, isn’t it?”

Elizabeth refused to answer his question because she would never admit that he was right. At least, not now. If they ever got this disaster sorted out, then she would tell him the truth of how she felt about him. But not until then.

Sitting back against the velvet squabs, she crossed her arms over her chest. “Please take me home, Will.”

“As you wish.” He signaled the groomsman to return to the house. “What invitations do we have for this evening?”

“Only dinner at Lord Selby’s home.”

“Very well. I believe we should contact Somerton with the information from Lady Cantwell.”

“Of course. He may be at the dinner tonight. He and Selby have become close since he acted as Selby’s second last year.” Elizabeth fidgeted with the decorative flowers on her skirts. She hated this distance between them, even if she knew it was necessary.

“Selby was in a duel?”

“Yes, a dreadful man hurt Avis, and Selby demanded satisfaction.”

“Good for him,” Will said.

“How can you say such a thing? He might have been killed.”

“But he wasn’t.”

They arrived at the house and walked inside. Elizabeth followed Will up the stairs to his room.

/> “Are you coming in?” he asked in a seductive voice that almost made her consider it.

“I would like to read the late duke’s journal.”