Page 53 of Shining Knight
They left with no further ado, and Graham joined Knighton and his duchess alongside Eugenia in their carriage. It was not far to Knighton House, and no one said a word between the two places. They helped their ladies to alight and up the steps, where Quincy held the door open for them.
“In my study, please. I would like a word before everyone else joins us,” the duke commanded.
Graham squeezed Eugenia’s hand, offering reassurance, but she looked up at his touch, disillusioned.
“One moment, Knighton.”
He pulled her aside and whispered in her ear. “You may jilt me later if the thought of marriage to me is so abhorrent, but I am in earnest.”
He turned and joined Knighton in his study, closing the door quietly behind him and leaning against it. Knighton was propped against the edge of his desk, with his arms folded across his chest. They stared at each other for a moment before Rowley moved and went to the cupboard and poured them each a glass of brandy. Graham knew better than to speak first.
“Is this something you came up with on the spur of the moment or was Eugenia aware of your betrothal?”
“She was… aware of my proposal, shall we say,” Graham answered.
“I see,” Knighton said, staring into the amber liquid in his glass.
“I could hardly allow Ravenhill to continue as he was. I saw no other solution.”
“And you have taken it upon yourself to be completely responsible for Eugenia? Did it not occur to you that Farnsworth would have come to her rescue?”
“It was far worse than we had anticipated, Row. A false courtship would not have redeemed her good name.”
“Farnsworth was prepared to marry her. Who knows what he will say now?”
“You would force her to marry him? Knowing he loves your aunt and how Eugenia feels about him?”
Knighton waved his hand. “The duke has the maturity and stability she needs to become settled in life.”
Graham began to pace across the Aubusson carpet. “I cannot believe this of you. How could you sentence her to a lifetime of unhappiness? If she is that much of a burden to you, then yes, I will take responsibility for her.”
“Did Eugenia agree to this?”
“Now you care for her opinion?” Graham was outraged at the hypocrisy of his oldest friend. “Do you truly object to this match or is it me you find unworthy?”
“I object to this entire situation. I should not have let this happen to her. I knew her unsuitability for Society.” He shook his head.
“There is nothing unsuitable about Eugenia!” Graham slammed his glass on the table with more force then he intended, but why did they always think it was her fault? She was a duke’s daughter, she had an enormous dowry, she was beautiful, but she had been brought up without a mother. If anyone was to blame for this, it was Knighton, but he had done what he thought was best, and truly it did no good to apportion blame.
Knighton sighed heavily. “I do not wish to argue with you, Graham.”
“Nor I you. But I cannot stand by and allow Eugenia to be married off to someone she loathes, merely to avoid scandal.”
“Why must you be the one? I was trying to save you from what you profess to disdain for her.”
“It will be no hardship to wed Eugenia. I care for her more than almost anyone I can think of. And I like her. I adore her whimsicality.”
He had already been chasing after her and keeping her out of trouble, so what would be the difference? He had not minded so much. There would also be perquisites to being married, he began to think, but he digressed.
Knighton was eyeing him thoughtfully. “We will speak with Eugenia before anything is decided. She could hardly jilt you immediately anyhow.”
Graham opened his mouth to protest, but the argument was saved from escalating by the appearance of Heath and Edmund.
Heath slapped him on the back. “Now you will be a brother in truth, eh? I must say, I am relieved.”
“I think it is a splendid match,” Edmund added.
“But is it real?” Rowley asked with menacing calm.
