Diane Gaston - Bound by Duty

‘A hero?’ His expression turned shrewd. ‘You seem immoderately concerned about Mr Glenville.’

Her hopes were shaken. ‘Do not try to make something of that, sir. He saved my life and I am not so much a simpleton as to miss the fact that you are trying to punish him for it.’

‘Punish him?’ Lord Tinmore’s rheumy eyes flashed. ‘He was caught in bed with you. That cannot be ignored.’

‘It can be ignored if you wish it,’ she shot back. ‘The world will believe what you, sir, wish it to believe.’

He stared at her before continuing. ‘You have bedded a man and been caught at it. At least your paramour understands you must pay the consequences.’

Her heart pounded. ‘What do you mean?’

‘He will marry you.’

‘No!’ she cried. ‘He will not.’

He half-rose from his chair. ‘He will and that is that.’

Fear exploded inside her, but she could not allow it to show. Instead she moved closer to him and leaned down into his face. ‘You know, sir,’ she said in a low voice. ‘You know that Mr Glenville and I did nothing wrong, nothing to truly compromise me. You know he rescued me. Saved my life. You know all you have to do is tell your friends the truth. Tell everyone the truth.’

‘No.’ He sat back in his chair. ‘Glenville said he’d marry you and that will resolve matters nicely, with the minimum of scandal tainting my marriage.’

‘Your marriage? Why should what happened to me taint your marriage?’ she countered.

‘It adds scandal to my wife’s name,’ he said. ‘Your mother and father’s carnal excesses are bad enough. I’ll not tolerate more...’ He shook his head. ‘Stranded in a storm! Hmmph!’

She glared at him. ‘You know it is true, sir.’

He waved her words away. ‘You will marry Glenville and that is the final word.’

Her insides felt shredded, but she made herself lift her chin. ‘What has Mr Glenville to say to this?’

Tinmore’s mouth moved against his gums, an old man’s gesture. ‘Mr Glenville knows his duty. He made the offer.’

‘No.’ Her entire body began to shake. ‘He does not wish to marry me. I cannot marry a man who does not wish to marry me.’

‘He may not wish it.’ Lord Tinmore smirked. ‘But he’ll do it. As will you.’

‘You cannot force this marriage on him. Or on me!’ she cried.

‘Glenville made the offer. It is up to you to accept or not.’ He leaned forward. ‘But understand this. For you there will be no dowry, no Season.’

His words were a blow.

She swallowed the pain. And loss.

She lifted her chin. ‘If you choose to break your bargain with my sister, it is no concern of mine.’

He worked his mouth as if unable to form words.

He finally spoke. ‘If you do not marry Mr Glenville, I will also withdraw all funds and support from your sister Genna and your by-blow of a brother. Your sister will not have a dowry and your brother will not see a penny of mine.’

She felt the blood drain from her face. ‘You would not be so cruel.’

He stared her directly in the eye. ‘You will marry Mr Glenville after all, will you not?’

She fixed her gaze on Lord Tinmore and would not allow her voice to show her utter defeat. ‘For my sisters’ and brother’s sakes, I have no choice. I will marry Mr Glenville.’

‘Excellent!’ Lord Tinmore clapped. ‘Tomorrow I will send you with him to London in my carriage.’

‘Tomorrow!’

‘I want you out of sight of my guests. Once they know you are to be married, the talk will disappear. By the time I bring my wife and your younger sister to London, all will be forgotten.’

He was sending her away. She’d already lost so much. Her mother. Her father. Her home. Now she was to lose her sisters, as well.

And to be married to a man who would undoubtedly resent her and detest having been trapped into marriage with her.

* * *

As soon as Tess left Tinmore, she hurried to the morning room, but Mr Glenville was not there. If only she could speak with him. There must be some way out of this.

She waited there an hour, pacing back and forth. Finally a footman opened the door and told her Lord Tinmore wished her to return to her room. She was not to come to dinner with her sisters and the house-party guests. She was expected to remain in her room.

And she was forbidden to seek out Mr Glenville.

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