Betrayed by Catherine Lloyd

Author:Catherine Lloyd [Lloyd, Catherine]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Writewood Creations
Published: 2015-12-31T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Six

HER FATHER stood over her and placed his hand heavily on her shoulder. “You have been unwell. The betrothal came as a shock, but you must see the position your illness put me in at the time. It is more likely you misunderstood your cousin. Perhaps he offended you somehow. You can be too thin-skinned, Clara. Now, you will stop this nonsense and return to Windemere Hall first thing in the morning and get this sorted out.”

“I’ll go with you if you like, Clara,” Edgar chimed in.

“You are not listening to me! You have not heard a word I’ve said. Branson will not marry me. He has taken his revenge on me already and now it is your turn, Father! I am only here to warn you. I do not expect you will want to keep me in your house after this, but I had to do my best to help you where I could.”

“What revenge? What have I ever done to the wretch?”

“You refused to welcome his mother as your new sister. That was hurtful and beneath you, Father. Branson was only a boy. You ought to have been kind.”

Arthur purpled with rage from the affront. “Kind to a slattern? Welcome her bastard into our family as one of our own? He can go to hell and you can go with him! My brother disgraced the entire family by marrying Ida Reilly. Her first husband was a whaler or some such, good with his fists. She ran out on him and thought to elevate herself by trapping my brother. The cunning little bitch sized Leonard up and seized her chance. No, I did not welcome her! I know her kind and I spoke my mind. If her bastard son took offence that is no concern of mine—not then and not now!”

“See here, Father. He is our cousin, we must tread carefully.”

Arthur blew out his cheeks and turned to Clara. “What your brother is trying to say is we are depending on Branson to do his duty and thus we dance attendance on his moods. He has traded mightily on the Hamilton name and now it is time to give back.”

“I know what Edgar is trying to say. You need Branson’s good will to gain access to his money. You were only indulging him with the betrothal, embracing him as your long-lost nephew. I am telling you, he will not help you. Whatever you did to him seven years ago, he has not forgotten it and this is his revenge.”

“Seven years ago, you say.” Arthur’s manner changed. He coughed and reddened. “One cannot keep track of every misdemeanor at my age. I have no idea how I’ve offended the man. Be that as it may, he has asked you to be his wife. Why would he do that if his intentions were insincere? You can win him over, Clara.”

“I am not a desirable match for any man now. It is unlikely I’ll find a better suitor than Mr. Hamilton.

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