Page 41 of Enslaved to the Seduction of a Lady
“No,” Alison said simply, shaking her head. Then, after a moment, she added, “He’s an old, vulgar, bore.”
“Now Alison,” the Duchess said, looking down her nose and tutting with disapproval. “Don’t say such things. We raised you better than that.”
Alison’s reply was panicked and fearful, breathless.
“But Mother—”
“Alison,” Teresa warned, looking sternly at her. “Anger will get us nowhere.”
“Youcan surely see the advantage of this match, can’t you, Teresa?” the Duke asked, looking intently at her. He asked plainly, as though he knew the answer—or was certain of it, at least. Teresa squirmed in her seat and Alison felt a glimmer of sympathy.
“Of course, Father, but—”
“But nothing,” the Duchess said, turning her face away from the table, her lips in a pout. “It is done. There is no going back now.”
“What’s done?” Alison cried, her voice breaking with emotion. “What have you done?”
“We’ve agreed to give the Earl your hand in marriage, of course,” the Duchess said, as though it was nothing.
As though she was inviting him to a soiree and nothing more.
“And a healthy dowry to boot,” the Duke added. “It’s only fair, given your age.”
“My age?” Alison swung around to look at her father, entirely aghast. Yes, she was old to be still unwed, but to be thrown to the dogs to have her bones picked apart.
“Yes,” the Duchess urged, and Alison turned back to face her. “You have no choice now, Alison, because you have left it too late. Young lords want young wives. You have brought this on yourself with your hesitancy, Young Lady. Do not suppose to blame anyone else.”
“I was hesitant because my dear sister was missing and—”
“And we stood by you in that,” the Duke said, causing Alison to spin back around. “But you must now deal with the consequences of that decision and as such, the Earl of Belmont is your only suitor.”
“And a perfectly acceptable one, at that,” the Duchess said haughtily.
“But wouldn’t it be better for Alison to find someone she loves?” Teresa asked, and Alison felt her heart pound in her chest. She had almost forgottenlovein her fury at her parents’ news. Now, Luke filled her heart again, a heart that had begun to crack as soon as her parents had spoken.
“Loves?” the Duke asked, his tone indicating that he was entirely confused by the notion. “What is this you’re talking about?”
“Or…” Teresa carried on, shrugging, “anyone other than the Earl of Belmont. I don’t wish to speak out of turn—”
“Then don’t,” the Duchess snapped, glaring at Teresa.
“I don’t wish to speak out of turn,” she tried again. “But I really think the Earl of Belmont is… well… unpleasant, to put it politely. If Alison were to marry him, I honestly would be concerned for her happiness—perhaps even her safety.”
“What nonsense,” the Duchess said, spitting out the first syllable with venom.
“And what, Young Lady, do you propose we should do instead?” the Duke asked at exactly the same time.
“I suppose you should allow Alison to make her own decision as to who she marries,” Teresa said.
In that second, Alison felt a rush of love for her sister, like she had never felt before. Teresa risked the wrath of their father, but she did it anyway—and all for her. Alison always considered herself strong, but Teresa had a strength of character that Alison could only dream about.
The Duchess scoffed. “She had five seasons to do that, but she failed. It’s too late now. Teresa, far too late. We had to step in.”
“But Mother—”
“Just stop!” Alison stood from her chair, the legs scraping noisily across the floor. “You are talking about me like I am not here! Teresa—thank you for trying, but they’ll never understand. Mother, Father—I cannot and will not marry that brute of a man.”
“You don’t have a choice,” the Duke said firmly. “Now sit down. You will not run off like a child, do you understand me?”
