Page 22 of Her Duke Next Door
Dominique glanced back to Mary, who shook her head to say they were not. Her own eyes were wide with despair and fear.
“I shall have you escorted out,” Dominique said.
“No need, Your Grace,” he snapped. He turned to Mary. “This is yourlastwarning, Mary.”
With that, he stormed out, leaving Mary to slump back against the window.
ChapterSeven
“How dare he threaten me and my daughter!” Mary muttered to herself, pacing on the terrace outside. The fresh air of the garden was helping to clear her panic and anger but she could not stand how Elise had been dragged through Hugh’s venomous games.
Her furious pacing was interrupted by Katie’s shout from across the garden.
“If I catch you, then you have to give me a slice of cake!” Katie called.
A low chuckle came from behind Mary. She jumped, turning around, only to find the Duke standing over her.
“At least that is one thing my daughter and I share in common,” he said. “Our love of cake.”
Mary mustered a weak smile. She was not in the mood to play any games.
He nodded to the other steel chair opposite hers. “May I sit?”
“I did not think a Duke such as yourself would need to ask to sit where he pleases.”
“Nonetheless, this is your residence. I know you think of me as a man who is not polite but I am. You first caught me on a terrible day.”
“So terrible you had to almost trample me.”
He gave her a withering look. “For the hundredth time, my lady, I amsorry.”
“Try another few times and you might sound like you mean it,” she teased lightly.
His brows rose, as if he was a man not used to be teased with. He shook his head at her, rolling his eyes. For a moment, the two of them watched the girls play. Dominique sighed as he gestured for one of the maids to provide him with a cup of tea. She got him a cup and saucer, filled up the cup, and then retreated. Together, Mary and Dominique watched the girls. The two children paused their games to look back. They huddled near the tree trunk, heads bent together, no doubt whispering more conspiracies.
Mary sensed the questions before they came, possessing a certain intuition from living with bickering parents before marrying out of the family home.
“What happened in the study?” he asked. “With that man? What was it all about?”
Mary scoffed. “You ask so brazenly as though it is your business.” She flicked her gaze to him. “It is not.”
“You are quite right,” he said. “But I must say, I was quite ready to fight him. The spider beat me to it, it seems.” Her cool gaze turned into a glare. Dominique laughed almost nervously before clearing his throat. “Right. I apologize.” He sighed. “I heard everything. His threats, and your lack of safety around him. He wants to take Eloise?”
“It isnotyour business, Your Grace,” she insisted again. Shame crawled through her. There were always stories about women trying to single-handedly mother children without a man in the house to provide protection of any sort. Mary had managed just fine but if being married to Patrick Yore had taught her anything, it was that the men in his family did not give up easily.
“I can help you.” His offer came quietly, his voice hushed. The two girls went back to playing. “If you would just let me.”
“How andwhywould you help me, Your Grace? We have met officially only once before.”
“I find you… intriguing.” She bit her tongue to admit the very same thing, and that he had been in her mind ever since their meeting at Katie’s party. “And I know a woman like you should not let a man threaten you like that. He dishonors all men.”
Mary huffed a laugh. “As did his nephew.”
The Duke cocked his head at her but she did not elaborate. Instead, she sighed. “He wishes to marry me and take me back to London with him. As you heard, he will not take no for an answer. In order to keep my daughter safe, the only option I have is to go and pack for London.”
“That is where you have come from?” he asked.
“Yes. I have family there who might watch over me if I need it.”
