Page 83 of Five Nights with a Rakish Duke
As he hurried down his own steps, heading toward Lord Larson on the driveway, it struck him how different Lord Larson appeared. There was something of the man who had refused to give his blessing for his betrothal to Penny, but it had grown worse. The eyes were so dark, he looked more like a creature than a human, and he barely seemed to care or notice the blood running down the side of his face.
“I should have you arrested right now for what you did to Penny,” Asher bellowed the words as he hurried toward the Lord.
“What did I do to her?” Lord Larson scoffed, looking away from him. “Penelope. You are coming home. Now.”
“I am not going anywhere with you,” she cried defiantly with her hand firmly on Asher’s arm, holding him back.
“Penny, release me,” Asher said, fully intent on doing the Lord harm after what Adam tried to do to her.
“Asher, please,” she said, sniffling as she tried to stop her tears. “What good can come from hurting him now?”
“Then we shall go to the constables,” he said decisively, giving up in his attempt to reach the Earl.
“And tell them what, exactly?” Lord Larson asked.
“And tell them that you tried to force yourself on your own cousin!” Asher shouted the words, not caring who heard. He was aware of Lady Margaret flinching, turning her head to the side.
“Who do you think they will believe, hmm? The Earl of Larson or his hysterical cousin, whose name will be in the scandal sheets by this time tomorrow for being a Duke’s harlot.”
“Do not dare call her that.” Asher tried to stride forward again, just as the Earl backed up. Lady Margaret was the one to step forward though this time, putting herself between Asher and Lord Larson.
“How could you accuse him of such a thing? My brother would never do that!” Lady Margaret’s words were emphatic; she clearly believed her own statement.
“Then explain the bruising on Penny’s neck,” Asher said, gesturing to Penny as she still clung onto his arm. He changed the hold so that they were clutching to each other’s hands, facing down her cousins together.
“He wouldn’t,” Lady Margaret said, though there wasn’t so much conviction in her tone now. “That bruise…” she tarried with her words, with her eyes clearly lingering on Penny’s throat.
“You must be lying,” she appeared desperate to believe it. “It must be some reckless attempt to reclaim your reputation.” She lifted her chin higher, alighting on an idea that seemed to please her.
“A reputation that would not be ruined if it wasn’t for you,” Lord Larson said, striding forward to stand beside his sister on the thin cobbled driveway and pointing at Asher. Asher didn’t even flinch. He did not fear this man. He only felt anger for him, and he still wanted retribution for the way Lord Larson had attacked Penny. “You still wear his necklace, even with your names being dragged through the mud.”
Asher looked down at the emerald that Penny had barely taken off since he bought it for her.
“I should have broken it when I had the chance.” Lord Larson’s words didn’t just make Penny recoil. Lady Margaret did too.
“Adam… what did you mean by that?” she asked then stumbled away. Lord Larson didn’t answer; he merely continued to stare at Penny. The insinuation was he had the chance to take hold of the necklace… when his hand was on her throat.
“Penelope, you are coming home, now.”
“No, I am not,” she said in defiance.
“Oh, good God,” Lady Margaret covered her eyes with her hands, clearly unable to bear the sight before her. “You actually did as she said, didn’t you?”
“Be quiet, Margaret,” Lord Larson snapped at her and walked forward again. “Kendall, give me back the woman I am courting, or I swear I will –”
“You will what?” Asher said, pulling on Penny’s hand until she was firmly behind him. With Asher being the taller man, Lord Larson fell still, looking up to his superior height. “Lay a finger on her again, and you will have to face the constable on your hands and knees by the time I am through with you.”
There was a sound further down the driveway that made Asher turn his gaze away.
Is that another carriage?He’d never known his driveway be so busy.
“I have had enough of this. Kendall; you have no claim on my cousin.” Lord Larson tried to step forward another time, but yet again, Asher blocked off his path.
“I am marrying her. I will happily elope with her to Gretna Green if that’s what it takes. You are the one who has no claim on your cousin.” Asher’s words were muffled by the sound of this third carriage coming to a stop. “Who is that?” Asher barked in the direction of it.
The door to the carriage flung open, and as the man stepped down, Lady Margaret squealed and hurried back, until she was hidden firmly behind Penny and himself.
The man that slowly stepped out, with his rather rat or mouse-like features, Asher was certain he had seen somewhere before. He was dressed quite well and had a cane in his hands, for fashion purposes only, suggesting he had money, but the haggardness of his features and the worn lines in his hands suggested he worked with his hands.
