Page 14 of His Enemy Duchess

“Samuel!” Lydia scolded in a motherly tone.

“Oh, don’t pretend like you don’t agree with me. We all know what they are capable of.” Samuel began to pace, agitated. “They are prudes, sticklers, and bullies! You know how many times they have forced people into doing business with them? I’d hate them even if they didn’t have a bone to pick with us.” He halted, leaning on the back of his chair. “Do you even remember how the feud started? Or am I the only one left with pride in this household?”

He rushed to the other side of the breakfast room. On the wall was a big, imposing portrait of a man with mutton chops and an impressive mane of gray hair. He pointed right up at it.

“Behold Edmund Kendall! The last of the Kendalls to make the lethal mistake of befriending the Pratts. And look whathappened to him! We put him up on a wall to remember his mistake.”

“No, Brother. We put him up on a wall because he built this mansion, but you know, who really cares about the true details,” James interjected.

“I do.Clearly, only I still remember. How our great-great-grandfather?—”

“Great-great-great-grandfather,” corrected Sophia, almost bored with the conversation. She did not need to be distracted by a history lesson; she needed her father to accept, so she could rest easy. “Is there a point to this drivel, Brother? We all know the story.”

“A point?!” Samuel’s eyes bulged. “I am trying to save you! I am onyourside, Sophia. I thought you didn’t want this marriage either?”

“I don’t! But you know what I don’t wantmore? For you to die in the next stupid duel you pick with a Pratt because you wanted to avenge Great-great-great-grandfather what’s-his-name. He’s been dead for eighty years!”

“And does that mean we forget where we come from? If you were to die in horrible circumstances, would you want us to forget about you and just take it?”

“I don’t know! I’d be dead, you fool!” she snapped and heard a chuckle from across the table. “What are you laughing at, James?”

“Nothing, Sister. At any rate, Sophia is right. An eye for an eye will make the whole world blind.” James smiled, though it did not quite reach his sad eyes. “She is making the right,wisechoice. You’d do well to learn from her, Sam. Not every problem can be solved with a blade and a bullet.”

The room fell silent again. James had the ability to put a civilized end to heated conversations that was rare for his age, one he had carried since childhood. He hadn’t even been trained for it. She remembered him settling disputes even at the tender age of eight. Sophia was certain that when it was his turn to manage the marquisate, he’d honor the family’s legacy well.

And he will reach that moment; I can ensure it, here and now, to the best of my ability.

“Thisismy choice, Papa,” Sophia reiterated, just as surprised as everyone else to discover that she meant it.

“Then… I suppose it is settled,” her father said, frowning. “The houses of Pratt and Kendall will unite. I shall… write to him today to make the arrangements.”

Sophia expelled a shaky breath. “Thank you.” She hesitated. “If you will excuse me, I think I must lie down.”

She hurried out of the breakfast room clutching her stomach as the prospect of her poisoned future took its toll.

Her father had accepted, a crisis had been averted, but she still had to go through with it.Thatwould be the hard part, and she sensed she would spend a few more moments running for the basin in her room before she found relief.

CHAPTER 5

“This is ridiculous,” Sophia mumbled, smoothing down the fine lavender muslin of her gown. “Who attends a ball the day before their wedding? There is so much I still need to do, things that need my attention—things that Mothercan’tbe left to tend to alone.”

James elbowed her in the side. “Because you need it, dear sister. Don’t think I have not seen the circles under your eyes or heard you pacing your bedchamber or heard your weary sighs.”

His voice was lighthearted, but his intention was not. Sophia could tell that he was worried about her. Everyone else either was too busy to notice her increasing anxiety or helpfully suggested that she had brought it upon herself, so she ought to grin and bear it.

As for her future husband, she had heard nothing from him for three weeks. He had not written to anyone but her father, had not visited, had not sent any gifts or fancies, had not behaved as a betrothed should… which was probably for the best. If she sawhim, it might become too real, shattering her resolve to be the heroine of the hour.

“We don’t know when your next outing into Society will be,” James continued, finding his sister’s hand and holding it tightly. “You should enjoy tonight as if tomorrow will not happen.”

Sophia cast him a curious sideways glance. “You almost sound like you don’t want the marriage to proceed.”

It took a minute for James to respond, his brow furrowing. “Perhaps I don’t.”

Sophia looked at him with a heavy heart. He looked devastated. It was very rare for her older brother to express negative feelings so openly, having been taught from childhood that, as the heir apparent, he should be stoic and reserved. Emotions were for those who would not have a marquisate on their shoulders one day.

“James…”

“I’ll still help you and carry this marriage forward, I promise,” he replied softly. “I promised you, and I promised Mother and Father, and you know your big brother never breaks a promise… but I suspect I will always regret not letting you ride away.”

---