The Duke of the Moors by Audrey Ashwood

Author:Audrey Ashwood [Ashwood, Audrey]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2020-01-02T22:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 14

His Grace the Duke of Rotherham was standing in front of her and Mr Churchill. He stated his demand a second time, “Churchill, I will not repeat myself. Step away from Miss Conolly.”

“Your Grace … this is a misunderstanding,” Mr Churchill said with a smile.

“There is no misunderstanding, I believe. Miss Conolly, am I mistaken? Are you here of your own volition?” the duke asked her.

“Your Grace, I do not know what to say,” Catherine replied, aware that with a single statement, Mr Churchill could leave her reputation in tatters (not that she would have much of a reputation left after being discovered alone with Mr Churchill in the drawing room by the duke of all people).

The duke addressed her again, “You do not have to answer my question. I overheard enough of the conversation to know that you are blameless in this matter.”

“Blameless? This piece of soiled muslin?” Mr Churchill said. “Sir, you cannot think that I would be downstairs with a lady of a better reputation, do you? This woman lured me here into sin.”

“She lured you?” The duke laughed at the man, as he drew near to him. “Mr Churchill, do not think me a fool.”

The duke’s manner rendered him imposing, as he towered over Mr Churchill. “I doubt that. I doubt every word you have said. I heard the threats you made to her and, unlike you, I know where she has been this evening. If you speak one word against her, one single word, I will see to it that you are ruined. I will use my influence to ensure that you are no longer received by any family in this county or in the realm. I promise you, when I am through with you, Mr Churchill, you will be fortunate to find work as a conscript in His Majesty’s Navy.”

“Your Grace! Would you take the word of this insignificant woman over me, a Churchill? You insult me. You threaten me with ruin when I have done no wrong. Nothing at all! What transpired between this woman and me is strictly a business transaction that women of her sort are accustomed to making, every day in the alleyways of London.”

“How dare you!” Catherine exclaimed. She did not have to strike Mr Churchill, nor did she have to defend her own honour. To her complete and utter astonishment, the duke rose to his full height before the man who threatened her. In one fluid motion, he struck Mr Churchill so rapidly and so soundly that the man went flailing to the floor.

“Get up, you coward,” the duke demanded in a tone of voice that implied that Mr Churchill had better not get up.

“Your Grace,” Mr Churchill mouthed silently as he rubbed his jaw, “I … I don’t want to fight you.”

“Stand so I may finish what you so rightly deserve.”

“I … I will not.”

“Or you may yield – do you yield?” the duke said as he stood over Mr Churchill in a triumphant stance.

“I yield.”

“Apologise to the lady or I shall not accept that you yield to me.

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