Page 2 of An Arranged Betrothal with an Icy Duke
Henry closed his eyes tightly, stepping back a little. “How can there be more?”
“As much as this pains me, I must tell you.” His mother set one hand to his arm. “I do not know who the gentleman was who pushed past me, but the other gentleman, the one standing with his arms around your betrothed…” A slight tremble overtook her as she shuddered lightly. “It was Luke.”
Those words gave Henry such a blow, he staggered backwards and, with weakness coursing through him, ended up sitting down heavily in one of the chairs by the wall.
“I am so very sorry, my dear son,” his mother whispered, her eyes bright with tears. “I do not know what else to say.”
Henry shook his head, unable to make even a single noise. Luke, his younger brother, the one he had always depended on, trusted in and leaned on upon occasion was the one who had stolen Rachel from him? He could not take it in.
“There can be no wedding today,” the Duchess finished, closing her eyes and then, after a moment, sitting down opposite him. “Not for you, at least.”
Henry’s heart lurched and he looked back at his mother, seeing her nod slowly.
Every part of his soul ripped into tiny pieces. He was not to marry Rachel, then, but his brother would.
“I presume a Special License has been granted?” he asked, his voice hoarse as again, his mother nodded. “And this all because he could not help but attempt to steal her from me?”
“I do not think that your brother is the only one to blame,” came the response. “Recall that I told you a gentleman rushed from the room as I came in? He must have been in there with herbeforeyour brother came in.”
A hard anger raced up Henry’s spine and he shuddered violently. This was not the Rachel he knew! This description of her was so against all that she had been to him, of all that he knew her to be.
It seems as though I did not know her at all.
“It will be a heavy burden for you to bear now, knowing that she will be wed to Luke but you must consider yourself saved from what could have been a disastrous marriage,” his mother finished, sounding a little more satisfied as though she were relieved that her duty was done. Henry could not imagine the strife which had been caused to his mother by what she had seen. “He does wish to speak to you, however.”
Henry’s eyes flared. “Luke?”
The Duchess nodded. “I have insisted that he wait in the parlour, for I did not think it fair that his demand to speak with you took precedence.”
Henry was on his feet in a moment, striding towards the door and yanking it open so hard, it slammed back against the wall. His mother’s protest fell upon deaf ears as he made his way to the parlor, flinging open the door to find his brother already waiting for him.
“It is not as you think.”
“Mother has told me everything,” Henry growled, his hands curling into fists as he fought the urge to place them around his brother’s neck and squeeze. “Everything.”
Luke shook his head. “It is not as she believes either. Neither she nor you will give me opportunity to speak, to explain.”
“There is nothing to explain! There is nothing that you could say which would make this situation acceptable!” Henry bellowed, red hot anger burning through his veins as he advanced on his brother. “You and my betrothed were found together and now, you are to marry her simply so as to save her reputation… as well as your own, no doubt, for you were never known as a rogue.”
Luke did not move as Henry continued to approach, a steadiness in his eyes which made Henry’s anger burn all the hotter. Henry’s whole body grew tight, ready to plant his brother a facer such was his anger. He saw Luke’s eyes flare, perhaps becoming aware of Henry’s intention, but all the same, he did not move. Instead, Luke simply folded his arms over his chest and gazed back steadily at Henry.
“To think that you, my one and only brother, myfriend, would steal her from me like this!” Henry cried, throwing up both hands rather than striking his brother. “Though mayhap I should thank you for what you are doing, for it means that I will not be tied to a despicable, lying creature likeher.” Henry could not even bring himself to speak her name, his heart tearing all over again.
“You are wrong, Henry!”
Rather than Henry reaching out to grab at his brother, it was Luke who grabbed Henry by the lapels, shaking him violently.
“Wrong, do you hear me?” Luke exclaimed, his eyes wide, piercing into Henry’s own. “I know that this must be more than painful but if you would only listen – ”
“Leave me!” Pushing his brother, hard, Henry sliced the air between them, his breathing heavy. “From this day on, I have not only no betrothed but I have no brother either.”
Luke shook his head, rubbing one hand over his eyes. “This is all a mistake, brother. Please, do not do this. You know my character. You know who I am. Do you really think that I would do something like this?”
Henry turned on his heel, stalking back towards the door. “It seems that Ihavebeen mistaken, brother,” he said, hoarsely, the blurring of his vision returning to the edges of his eyes. “I have been mistaken about you and I have been mistaken about her. Marry her, then. But do not expect me to ever forgive you.”
Without another word, he walked out of the room and made his way to his study. Ringing the bell, he waited until the butler arrived, keeping his composure as steady as he could.
“Have my things prepared.”
