Page 87 of Lady Daring
“I have an estate she may inherit,” Henrietta said. “And who knows but that she will be interested in running my mills.”
“If you don’t find yourself in prison or transported. Don’t you know Pitt means to bring a suit against you?”
The color left Henrietta’s face. “Suit?” Darien asked.
“There won’t be a suit once their betrothal is announced. Pitt won’t dare reach for such high fruit. I’ll squash him like the toad-eater he is,” the marquess said.
“Pitt called up every police force in the city to monitor our debate,” Henrietta said hollowly. “I don’t doubt he means to make an example of me.”
“You forget that Sir Pelton will speak to Mr. Pitt,” Clarinda murmured, “and Sir Jasper will have some influence. Your Grace, another dish of tea?”
Darien could tell Henrietta was not reassured by these promises. Determined always to stand on her own two feet, she never believed anyone would rescue her. He gave her another squeeze. He had to find a way to make her believe he would shield her, no matter what. He had to convince her to trust him with her fortune, her future, her assorted wards and charges.
He had to prove himself worthy of her trust.
The duchess turned her stony glare on Darien. “Freddy said you meant to marry her. A bit ridiculous, Daring, all the girls you’ve compromised, to throw yourself over for a bluestocking.”
“That’s my new daughter, Medora,” the marquess said, “and my granddaughter, too. Hold that viperous tongue, if you don’t mind.”
“You’d best watch your step, Cassius,” the duchess replied. “Highcastle knows about the suit you mean to bring in Lords, and he’s not inclined to favor it, given the reputation of your erstwhileheir.”
“The inheritance must be settled,” the marquess retorted, “and Highcastle knows that as well as I do. He’d best hope he won’t be fighting his own suit. Your son challenged mine to a duel, remember.”
Her Grace’s eyebrows, artificially dark, snapped together in a marvelous scowl. “You wouldn’t dare!”
“I won’t cry rope on Freddy,” Darien said, shifting on his feet. He ached to sit down, but the duchess would take it as a sign of weakness.
“Well,Imight,” the marquess said and sank his teeth into a piece of bread and butter.
The duchess held perfectly still, only the ostrich features on her outrageous hat trembling from the force of her wrath. “What do you want?” she said to Darien in a strained voice.
“Nothing from you,” Darien replied. “Freddy and I have settled the matter of the family’s honor.” He moved his arm slightly in its sling.
He willed Henrietta not to make one of her remarks. She had a neck-or-nothing brother; she must know it was customary for men of their rank to shoot at each other in the morning, then have a drink and cards together that night.
Clarinda spoke. “It might do to arrange something for the child.”
“What? Dower her? Unacceptable,” the duchess said through gritted teeth.
Henrietta lifted her chin. “I would consider a trust for Celestina’s education,” she said. “There is a school in Bath, Miss Gregoire’s Academy for Girls, where I spent many happy years. I hope to send Celestina there, if Darien approves.”
“I expect I will,” Darien said. “The more I hear of this Miss Gregoire, the more I like her.”
Finally—finally—she looked up at him and smiled. She hadn’t believed he was on her side. Well, she would find out. He meant to stay at her side as long as she would have him.
“There you have it, Medora,” the marquess said. “Set up a trust for the child’s schooling. She’ll learn how to support herself in the world, and she’ll never come with hand out to you for money.”
“She’ll have me—” Darien began, but Henrietta, without appearing to move, elbowed him in the ribs on his uninjured side.
“Oh, very well,” the duchess said with ill grace. “If you promise not to prosecute Freddy for shooting you, and if you give me your word this child will never trouble me nor the duke for acknowledgement. You may have your solicitors get in touch with Highcastle’s.”
“Thank you, Your Grace,” Henrietta said, holding the child close.
The duchess turned, her plumed hat nodding. “Well, Clarinda, you must be very pleased with yourself! We all thought you’d lowered yourself abominably when you married, but here you are with your husband made knight, and now his daughter is going to marry into a marquessate.”
“I have indeed been very fortunate,” Clarinda answered, one hand on her middle. “In most everything.”
“I hopeyourdaughters never shame you as mine has,” the duchess said, pulling on her gloves. She advanced to the door and glared as the marquess drew to his feet. “If you see Highcastle at the club, have a drink with him, will you? He’s dreadfully cut up by all this.”
