Page 55 of Duke of the Sun

Michael hid his shock, though he couldn’t stop himself from eyeing her oddly.

“As I was saying, your Grace,” the Countess continued, “My dear brother, rest his soul, finally listened to my advice when he arranged a courtship between Cordelia and the Earl of Vaun.”

A different sort of quiet took over the table. Irene and Duncan snapped their attention towards their youngest sibling. Cordelia’s crestfallen expression lowered as she stared at her lap. Michael was astonished. This had to have been the time she would stand up for herself. If not now, then when could possibly be a better time?

“And what a pleasurable gentleman that Earl was,” the Countess said.

The Earl nodded alongside her. “Positively fine young Lord, your Grace. If he had remained in London, I’m sure you would have crossed business paths with him.”

Michael pressed his lips together.

“Aunt,” Irene said. “Perhaps we might find better entertainment in a different conversation.”

The Countess ignored her niece. “I cannot begin to voice the disappointment I felt when we saw the story in the papers,” she said, lowering her tone as if it would help the situation. “I know what all those women in the Ton say about the supposed love he found in the country, but I can’t help but believe it was something poor Cordelia had done!”

“Aunt!” Cordelia gasped, her eyes wide. “You can’t possibly -”

“We all knew it, your Grace,” the Countess spoke over Cordelia. “Every last one of us. For the Earl to lose interest in a Celeston Lady, it must have been something she did. And we know her well enough to know such a thing to be true!”

Michael’s brow shot up. He was moments away from turning to Cordelia when the Countess reached for him again, touching his wrist once more.

“Do not mistake me, your Grace,” she said. “We have been blessed by the miraculous appearance you made! Without you, my brother’s children would have been ruined, all because of a silly girl.”

Michael finally looked over at Cordelia. She bit down on her lip fiercely, her brow so wound up that a series of short lines began to wrinkle across her skin. Her mouth trembled as the glossiness in her eyes began to turn into tears, the embarrassment welling up in her gaze. Everything she wished to say came out in an exhale instead of words. Cordelia held herself back, biting down on her bottom lip everytime she made the slightest movement to speak.

The anger boiling beneath Michael’s skin was one he hadn’t felt in a long time. But, suddenly, all he could see was Cordelia being berated, and the effort in which she held her tongue. He wished to grab a hold of her, to tell her to speak and be the stubborn woman he had come to know over the past few weeks.

Instead, Michael faced the Countess, who so foolishly prepared to speak again.

“Everything turned out for the better because of -”

Michael slammed his palms against the table as he shot to his feet, the sudden momentum causing his chair to shuffle backwards and clatter to the floor. “If the Earl was foolish enough not to realize the diamond presented to him those years ago,” Michael snapped, his voice deep and gravely, “That is a consequence he must live with for the rest of his dreadful life.”

“And as foryou,Countess,” Michael continued, straightening himself up as he spoke to the shocked woman, “Perhaps you have allowed your oncoming age affect your refined judgement, but any right-minded and clear headed educated person in all of London can take one look at my wife, and see her unstained quality. Only a stubbornfoolcan insist otherwise.”

The table around him remained stuck in a surprised silence. He stood there quietly for a moment before moving his hands behind his back, and bowing towards the Earl.

“I do believe it is best for my wife and I to retire for the evening,” Michael said. “Cordelia?” He reached a hand out for her.

Hesitantly, Cordelia took his hand and stood from the table, her lips pressed together so hard they lost their naturally red hue. She gave her Aunt and Uncle a short bow before leaving the dining room, joined quickly by Irene. Duncan slowly rose from the table, but did not exit the room. Michael felt his still gaze on the back of his head.

After taking a quick glance over his shoulder, Michael rounded the table, drawing closer to the shocked Countess and Earl.

“Perhaps you might consider us to be bound in a familial way,” Michael began, “But that will hardly change my cadence towards you. Heed my warning now, as this will be the one and only time I am patient enough to so easily hand it over.”

The Countess’s eyes widened in surprise. “Y-Your Grace, we -”

“Insult my wife again,” Michael interjected, “And I will make sure London sees your respectable reputation stripped from you both.” He bowed shortly. “Good evening. Thank you for the invitation.”

Michael spun around on his heel and strode towards the doors. He glanced to his right to see Duncan standing beside the table, his eyes holding onto him closely. Michael paused, bowing to the middle Celeston child. Duncan did the same, and Michael could’ve sworn he saw the slightest bit of a smile on the man’s face.

Feeling oddly pleased with himself, Michael left Pembroke behind, following the path left behind by his wife. She waited for him beside their carriage, whispering quickly to her sister before he had the chance to arrive and overhear.

“Your Grace,” Irene said with a short bow, twisting around Michael the moment he came up to them.

Cordelia gazed up at him.

“What?” Michael snapped, the intensity of her stare bringing a tightness to the center of his stomach. “Why do you watch me like that?”

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