Page 11 of Duke of Silver
A wave of dread washed over her, the temporary reprieve of humor evaporating. What could it be now? Had the Duke changed his mind? Was she to be jilted yet again?
Nodding, Elizabeth rose and followed her uncle from the room, her heart pounding in her chest. She was surprised when, instead of leading her to his study, he guided her through the French doors and onto the terrace, where the cool air greeted them.
“I thought we might both benefit from some fresh air,” Sebastian said, offering her a small smile that did little to ease her nerves.
Elizabeth nodded, though her thoughts swirled with uncertainty.
“I wanted to speak to you, Elizabeth, to offer my sincerest apologies,” her uncle began, his voice low and filled with regret. “I fear I have failed you—as your guardian, your uncle, and most importantly, as your father.”
Elizabeth’s breath caught. “Oh, whyever would you say such a thing, Uncle?” she replied, shocked by the depth of his self-reproach.
“You are anything but a failure. You have been more than Peggy and I could ever ask for,” she continued, her voice soft but earnest. She could not bear the thought of him blaming himself for the turn her life had taken.
“But look at you now, Elizabeth. You are about to marry a man you barely know. This was never what I wanted for you, or for Margaret.” His voice trembled slightly as he spoke. To him, they were not just his nieces—they were his daughters, and the thought of seeing them sacrificed to circumstance tore at him.
“It is not your fault,” Elizabeth said, her voice quiet yet firm. “If anyone is to blame, it is I for being so reckless.”
“You couldn’t have predicted that a drunken gentleman would stumble into that room, nor that someone would misunderstand what they saw,” Sebastian said, his tone filled with the quiet resolve of someone trying to ease the burden of guilt from her shoulders.
“I suppose,” Elizabeth murmured, giving a little shrug. “But at least now, with the Duke’s offer, our family can walk in societywith dignity intact. He has done the honorable thing, even if his brother would not.”
Sebastian sighed, his expression still troubled. “The road ahead will not be without its obstacles, Elizabeth. But no matter what life brings, I want you to know you will always have my support. Always.”
His hand found hers and gave it a gentle, reassuring squeeze. His love and care were clear in his every word, and it brought a rush of warmth to her heart.
“And you will always have mine, Uncle,” Elizabeth whispered, leaning her head gently against his shoulder. “Father would have been proud. And very much grateful,” Elizabeth said softly. “Thank you.”
“There is no need for gratitude between family,” Sebastian dismissed with a wave of his hand, though his expression remained kind. “Despite the unfortunate circumstances that brought us here, I am honored to have you and Margaret in my life.”
Elizabeth’s heart swelled with affection.
“In the end, I feel comforted by the fact that you are marrying the Duke instead,” her uncle said, his tone thoughtful. “It may not seem so at first glance, but he is a man of great honor. He will do right by you, Lizzy.”
He reached out and patted her hair fondly, as he so often did when he sought to comfort her, but the weight of his words pressed heavily upon her heart.
I pray you are right, Uncle,Elizabeth thought silently, her unease clinging to her despite her uncle’s reassurances.
CHAPTER 5
Alexander would be damned before he let his father’s legacy fall apart. He had made a promise—a promise to protect their family, to safeguard their name. And though he had failed before, perhaps cleaning up after Percy would grant him some redemption. Perhaps this was his chance to fulfill that vow after years of bitter self-recrimination.
Marriage. The very notion was a violation of the promise he had made to himself—never to marry, never to tie himself to someone in such a permanent way. But if this was the price he had to pay to protect the family honor and repair the damage his brother had wrought, so be it.
Lady Elizabeth was unlike any woman he had encountered before. Her temper, her sharp wit, her refusal to be cowed—qualities that in another might have been off-putting, but in her, they only seemed to fan the flame of her magnetism. She possessed a spark that made her impossible to ignore. She was a fire—dangerous, yet captivating. He couldn’t deny that he rather liked her spirit.
“The Marquess of Broughton is waiting for you, Your Grace,” the butler’s voice interrupted his thoughts as Alexander entered his home after the tumultuous meeting at the Dowshire residence.
Alex nodded and made his way to the study, where Colin was already helping himself to a glass of brandy.
“I thought I might go grey waiting for you,” Colin said with a smirk, pouring another glass and handing it to Alexander. “I’ve heard about what happened with Percy.”
Alexander took the drink with a grim nod. He needed it more than he realized. The weight of the day pressed heavily on him, and the liquor offered a momentary reprieve.
“I should have known he had a motive when he insisted on returning to his lodgings last night,” Alexander said bitterly, yanking at his cravat, the frustration boiling to the surface once more. “He’s always been sly.”
“He has,” Colin agreed. “But how did the family take the news, now that it seems there’s no way to salvage this?”
Alexander downed his brandy, the burn in his throat a welcome distraction. “They were shocked, naturally. But I had to clean up after Percy, as always. So, I suppose they’re in a calmer state now.”
