Page 60 of A Duchess Mistaken
“Nothing,” Agnes stated. “You’re seeing things.” She didn’t wait for him to respond either. She simply picked up her skirts and made her way to the front door behind her duke.
CHAPTER 22
Lord Reeds was strumming with angry, anxious energy. He led the way to Johnathan’s office, his steps long and hurried, the sound of his heels clipping in the hallway. Johnathan strolled leisurely behind him, keeping up easily despite the earl’s attempts to move quickly.
He stalked into the office and sank into one of the armchairs in a huff. Johnathan didn’t spare him a glance. He made his way over to the sideboard. “Would you like a drink, my lord?”
“A glass of whiskey would do fine,” Lord Reeds grumbled, not one to turn away liquor.
Johnathan poured himself a glass as well, knowing he was going to need it to get through the conversation he was going to have. Granted, he’d been planning to speak with the earl before the day’s end. He’d just hoped to do so on his terms, not when Lord Reeds was so obviously frustrated. It was bound to make what needed to be said to him far more difficult than it needed to be.
Johnathan handed the earl his drink and then claimed a seat on the sofa across from him. He draped an arm along the spine of the furniture crossed his legs and took a sip of the whiskey.
“It is a sipping spirit, my lord,” Johnathan told him, watching as Lord Reeds downed nearly half the glass at once.
The earl grimaced. Johnathan couldn’t tell if it was at the burn of the whiskey or at his comment. “I know very well the sort of spirit it is, Your Grace. Do not try to insult me.”
“I would not dream of it, my lord.”
His casual response clearly wasn’t what Lord Reeds was looking for him. He seemed to be making a concerted effort to mask his scowl. “I need an answer, Your Grace. When do you intend to have the wedding?”
Johnathan gave himself a moment to decide how to respond. He could be direct, telling him that there would be no wedding between him and Caroline. Or he could beat around the bush, laying out subtle suggestions that may change the earl’s mind before he even realized what was happening. Because Johnathan doubted either plan would work, he decided for a mixture of the two.
“Miss Caroline may have her wedding by the end of the season or next week, my lord. Whichever you deem fit.”
Lord Reeds was clearly a more perceptive man than Johnathan gave him credit for, because he narrowed his eyes. “Herwedding? Do you seek to exclude yourself from this arrangement?”
Johnathan, again, paused to answer. He sipped his whiskey and decided it would be best to come straight out with it. “I intend to end my courtship with Miss Caroline.”
“What?”
“It is not so dreadful a matter, my lord,” Johnathan assured him. “I have my reasons, one of which is that Miss Caroline’s affections clearly lay elsewhere.”
“If I gave a damn about her affections, Your Grace, I would be having this conversation with her.” Lord Reeds paused, frowning. “Do you mean to tell me that she has been compromised?”
“Certainly not, my lord, no!” Johnathan was honestly shocked the earl could have suggested such a thing. “She has been the very picture of ladylike perfection and you have every reason to be both proud of her with no concern for her future. I assure you, however, that Miss Caroline is in good hands. Rather than seeking a marriage with me, I think it may be best if she were to marry my brother instead.”
Lord Reeds blinked at Johnathan, slowly. “Your brother?”
“It is a love match, my lord. Far be it from me to stand in the way of brother’s happiness.”
The earl seemed too shocked to respond. Johnathan sipped his whiskey and waited for the words to sink in.
He only laughed. The sound was harsh and mirthless, grating Johnathan’s ears and bringing a slight grimace to his lips.
“A love match?” Lord Reeds said again. “Do you take me for a fool, Your Grace?”
“I do not, my lord. I take you for a man who respects his niece’s decision and wants what is best for her.”
“Which is the same thing as a fool! How dare you suggest that we break our agreement because you want to see your brother happy? Have you forgotten that Caroline had her pick of more distinguished and prestigious gentlemen before you?”
“My lord,” Johnathan said in a low warning tone. “You forget yourself.”
“No, it is you who forgets himself!” The earl shot to his feet, trembling in anger. “I shan’t hand over such a hefty dowry to the brother of a duke who will give me nothing in return! If I were you, Your Grace, I would not forget the position I am in. You are nothing but a penniless duke. If I were to tell others of your position, what little legacy you have left to your name wouldbe gone forever. Not to mention the scandal surrounding your father and how he passed.”
Johnathan slowly rose to his feet. He set his whiskey down, not trusting himself not to throw it against the wall in his rage. He quelled it as best as he could, not trembling from the force of it the way the earl before him did. But he knew it shone in his eyes as he stepped forward.
“Threaten me again, my lord, and you shall live to regret it.”
