Page 86 of A Naughty Proposal for His Winter Countess
“Well, I cannot go to your house,” Harriet said with a touch of dry humor, “thatwould be a scandal.”
“I would risk it if it means saving your life,” Daniel said. “I don't care if all the scandals in the world descended on us, if it meant keeping you alive.”
Harriet felt confused, “Do you mean that you still want to be with me? Daniel! That's impossible! You cannot be near me!”
“Do you not remember that I was there on the paper with you? I'm just as culpable as you are,” Daniel told her. “It's a two-way street, Harriet. If I hadn't offered, you could not have accepted.”
“Even so,” Harriet replied. “Our society places all the blame on the woman. You might be overlooked, but I won't be.”
The coach was cantering down to drive to Carrington Manor, and Harriet grimaced at the sight of Antony's coach being driven away. The vehicle stopped but Harriet was unwilling to leave as she feared what reception she would get on the other side of the door.
“Harriet?”
She shifted her eyes away from the door of the Manor, only to drop them on the floor of the coach. Harriet hunkered down under Daniel's jacket, and looked small.
“They'll be livid with me,” Harriet uttered. “The amount of shame I've cast on my family is unmeasurable. I might just be disowned tonight.”
Daniel reached over and fished her hand out from the folds of the jacket. “Listen to me; I don't care what might happen, I will not give up on you. Come what may, I will never desert you. Send for me at any time, I'll come for you.”
Privately, Harriet doubted that Daniel would be allowed anywhere near her, but she held his promise as a comfort.
“Are you ready now?” he asked gently.
Though hesitant, Harriet knew that she could not hide away from her family much longer.
“Yes.”
With a nod, Daniel left the coach and helped her out. They approached the door with Daniel holding her hand tightly. The footman opened the door and they stepped into an empty foyer. Harriet turned to him, “I think it's best for you to—”
“What do you think you're doing?” Ben's cold voice snapped through the air. Her brother strode over, “I cannot believe your audacity! Do you know the shame you've brought on my home!”
“Ben, stop!” Harriet frantically placed herself between the two men. “Leave him alone! He's done nothing wrong!”
“And you!” Ben exclaimed. “There are no words to describe how angry, and disturbed I am! How could you write such unforgivable things! Martha almost fainted when she read how you wanted to seduce Dawson! My God, Harriet, have you no shame?”
Jerking away as if she had been slapped, Harriet could barely utter a word before Ben was berating Daniel. “I thought I could trust you. I had no idea that you would draw her into such twisted, immoral conduct. You swore to me that you would never do anything to hurt her, now she's going to be a disgrace.”
Adamant on defending himself, Daniel said, “I will not—”
“You need to leave,” Ben ordered, coldly, “and don't dare contact her anymore. This so-called engagement is off.”
Harriet didn't try to object as she had suspected that the arrangement was going to be broken. She didn't even protest the way Ben said it.
“Please leave,” Ben said.
“Ben, you don't know the whole story!” Harriet cried.
“I do know the whole story,” Benjamin snapped. “The tale is already a disgrace. Now you need to leave before I have the footmen escort you out.”
“Ben!” Harriet tried again. “Would you just try and understand that—”
“I don't need to understand anything,” Ben said stubbornly. “I know enough. You are not allowed to leave the house until I say so. You've disgraced yourself and us by your unconscionable actions. I'm entirely appalled at you, Harriet. It will take a miracle for you to come back from this!”
Stung, hurt, dismayed and insulted, Harriet turned and dashed up to the stairs.
* * *
The cold look in Ben's eyes irritated Daniel to his core. For a man who prided himself on being understanding, Ben was now an obstinate mule.
