Page 64 of A Sense of Misgiving
‘Come along, Mary.’ Luke spoke softly and held out his hand. ‘We are leaving.’
‘You have conveniently avoided discussing the debt of honour that your father refused to repay to ours,’ Redfern said, finally getting to his feet and clutching his ribcage. He made no attempt to fight back or defend himself. Paul shook his head in disgust. He was perfectly willing to inflict himself upon a helpless female, but wasn’t prepared to take on a man of his own size. Somehow Paul was not surprised and now felt justified in a dislike that had been instinctive and not entirely fuelled by jealousy.
‘Show me your proof of this debt,’ Luke said, his brisk tone silk on steel.
‘Your family has insulted us in every possible way. Is that not proof enough?’ Redfern replied. ‘And then, before my father could demand payment, he met with an unfortunate accident during a shooting party. A party at which your father was present. A little convenient, don’t you think?’
A chilling silence followed Redfern’s statement.
‘I suggest you think very carefully before making such suggestions public,’ Luke told him, glowering with dislike at the miserable excuse for a man. ‘If any such rumblings reach my ears you can be sure that I can and will destroy your family by suing it for every last penny it possesses. I very much doubt if your brother, now the viscount, would feel too pleased about that. He at least is an honourable man who does not think himself hard done by. Nor does he harbour grudges that have no foundation in fact. I dare say Arnold will have something to say as well if the particulars come to light.’ Paul had the satisfaction of watching Lucy’s face drain of what little colour it possessed. ‘You might be dissatisfied with your marriage, but you entered into it with your eyes open. If Arnold casts you aside, I can assure you that your future will be far less comfortable.’
‘You are not being fair,’ Lucy said, adopting a more moderate tone.
‘Says the woman who coldly arranged for my sister’s virtue to be taken by force.’ Luke glowered at her. ‘You locked her in here with your brother, so don’t bother to deny it. Who else have you spoken to about these allegations?’ Luke directed the question to Redfern. Paul knew the answer but was curious to see if Redfern would admit to it. But Redfern simply smirked and shook his head.
‘Have it your way,’ Luke replied with a casual shrug. ‘But if society gossips, then I shall know who to blame and will carry out my threat and destroy you all. Never doubt it.’
‘There were other men present at that game. They know the truth,’ Redfern said lamely.
‘If there had been anything untoward, then rumours would have emerged before now. You’re clutching at straws in an effort to justify the unjustifiable. Give it up, or you will live to regret it.’
‘I cannot be held to account for what other men might say,’ Redfern said, smirking again.
‘On the contrary,’ Luke replied.
Sam burst into the room. ‘Are you all right, squirt?’ he asked Mary, concern etched in his expression.
‘I am unharmed,’ she assured her brother, permitting him to embrace her.
‘What the hell’s been going on?’ he asked, glowering at Redfern.
‘We will tell you when we get home,’ Luke replied. ‘Come along, it will be dark soon.’ Luke turned at the door and fixed Lucy and Redfern with a warning look. ‘Just remember what I have said since I do not make idle threats.’
Chapter Fourteen
Flora felt hugely relieved when she learned that Mary had been brought home unscathed—at least physically. She saw nothing of Luke, but Paul offered her a brief account of events.
‘It is much as I supposed then,’ Flora said. ‘Poor Mary. And poor Luke, too. It cannot be easy for him. I am sure he gave Lucy no encouragement, but I’m just as sure that he’ll be re-enacting his times alone with her when they were younger to make sure that he didn’t do or say anything that might have been misinterpreted.’
‘He will, but that’s Luke for you.’ Paul swallowed, looking uncomfortable. ‘He’s sometimes too honourable, too aware of his family’s expectations to make his own choices.’
‘What is it?’ Flora asked, when Paul fell into a brooding silence.
‘Mary pretends to be feeling no ill-effects after her ordeal, but she will need someone to confide in. Will you…’
‘Of course. I was about to go to her anyway.’ Flora paused. ‘She needs us both.’
Paul glanced away. ‘I cannot…I have my duties.’
‘Luke is not a tyrant. You need some time to yourself too. I’m sure he thinks you’ve earned it.’
‘I don’t want to impose. Mary already feels she has been exploited quite enough.’
Flora’s heart went out to Paul as she watched him struggle to deny his feelings. Feelings that had been suppressed for too long. ‘Not by you.’
‘No. Never that.’
‘Did Redfern mention how my father came to know about the supposed debt of honour?’
