Page 41 of Shining Knight
“Did anything else happen?”
She lowered her gaze to her lap. “We struggled and he ripped my gown. I reached for my dagger about the same time Graham burst through the door.” She looked gratefully up at her best friend. “After that, I remember very little.”
“That is much as we suspected.”
“What happens now?” she asked, her voice shaking.
“I have sent word to Perth, but Tinsley thinks he is being unreasonable. He did propose to you?”
“Yes,” she whispered, “but nothing has been announced.”
“I am afraid, dear sister, that he is not inclined to view this situation in your favor.”
“Gentlemen never do,” she said bitterly.
“If this is the case, I am most disappointed in him. Emma will be devastated by what she will view as his betrayal.”
“He is only human and cares a great deal for what others think of him.”
“You are far too generous. This is not something I will easily forgive,” Heath snarled.
“Your aunt is inclined to believe that Farnsworth will still have you.”
“No!” she shouted. “I cannot marry the duke.”
Rowley looked taken aback. “Why ever not? In your situation, you would do very well in deed to become a duchess.”
“At what price, brother?”
“I realize it may not be a love match, but your reputation—your good name– would be saved.”
“Did my aunt also tell you she is very much in love with him and he with her?”
“What does that have to say to anything?”
She looked around at the other faces in the room. “The three of you have made love matches, yet you would settle for a cold, loveless union for me?” Angrily, she jerked to her feet “I have done nothing wrong, yet you would punish me? No, I would prefer your efforts go towards proving Ravenhill the blackguard that he is.”
“Do not fret yourself on that account,” Heath assured her. “However unfair it is, Sister, it will not be enough to replace the doubt that he damaged you.”
Eugenia shook her head. “I cannot believe you would force me into this.”
“I am not forcing anything yet. I will speak to Perth and Farnsworth and consider the situation again,” Knighton said.
“Let me assure you, Brother, nothing—and I mean nothing—will persuade me to wed Ravenhill.”
“That was never in question,” he replied.
She gave a conceding nod, too grateful to speak. She knew in her heart that he wanted what was best for her, but Society still dictated what was considered acceptable and what was not.
“I will consider your wishes as much as possible. However, life as a pariah would be worse than marriage to such as Farnsworth.”
Eugenia was not certain. Life would be lonely, but that would be preferable, in her opinion. There had to be some remote village in England or Scotland where she could settle without notoriety.
Emma strode into the room. “I have just heard! Oh, my dearest!” she exclaimed when she saw Eugenia’s face. “This cannot be tolerated!” She turned to her husband.
“I am doing what I can, my dear. We are making a plan.”
“If I were a man I would call him out!” The duchess’s anger on her behalf was touching.
