The Duke's Brown-eyed Lady by Maggi Andersen

Author:Maggi Andersen [Andersen, Maggi]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, Historical, Romance
Publisher: Dragonblade Publishing, Inc.
Published: 2022-12-29T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Four

It was the Kirshaws’ rout, held at their home in Hampton, when Gene saw Mellicent again. An informal affair with no dancing, where guests could talk, play cards, or wander the gardens.

While Gene talked to Nicholas, Marquess of Pennington, he watched Pallthorpe approach Mellicent where she stood alone, her mother having left her for a moment.

Mellicent made to walk around Pallthorpe, but he stepped to one side to block her way. He took hold of her arm, and Mellicent winced as if he’d hurt her.

Gene straightened and took a step in their direction.

Nicholas paused mid-sentence. “Am I boring you, Duke?” he asked with a grin.

“I don’t like the way Alfred Pallthorpe behaves around Lady Mellicent.”

Nicholas turned his head to view them. But Mellicent had managed to slip past Pallthorpe. Head down, she hurried across the room and disappeared through a doorway. Pallthorpe looked after her with a heavy frown.

“A lover’s spat, perhaps?” Nicholas asked.

“Do you know Alfred Pallthorpe?” Gene asked.

“He’s no friend of mine. I saw him once in the park whipping his horse in a fury. And he treated his groom in like manner when something the hapless man did annoyed him. I wouldn’t want a daughter of mine to marry him.”

“I wonder why Abbersley does?”

“They’re neighbors. Their boundary borders Pallthorpe’s acres. But I doubt Abbersley would know quite what a rascal he is. He is all charm when it suits him. Someone should tell her father, perhaps.”

“Would it make any difference if one did?”

“Maybe not. Abbersley’s in a bit of financial strife.” Nicholas turned to look at him. “What is your interest?”

“I like her. She deserves better.”

Nicholas grinned. “Like her, eh? She is very attractive.”

“She’s lovely. And very young.”

“A mere child to you, I imagine, Grandpa.”

“Enough.” Gene laughed. “This is a dull affair. Shall we indulge in a game of billiards?”

“Best suggestion all evening. A quick one. I intend to go home when I can draw Carrie away. Her friends talk as if they haven’t seen each other for a year when it was only last week.” He sighed. “It may take some time.”

*

Mellie found a bedchamber where she could bathe the sore spot on her arm where Pallthorpe had pinched her. He had threatened her and said horrible things, accused her of being a cold fish, whatever that meant. Well, he did make her feel cold all over. She tamped down a shiver when she remembered the fierce look in his eyes. Her face looked pale in the mirror, her lips firm because she feared she would cry. The temptation to tell her mother was stronger than ever. But if she did, her parents would be forced to turn down Pallthorpe’s suit. And while she wanted that with all of her heart, her papa needed this marriage. He had been in such low spirits. She simply couldn’t do it to them.

But she vowed not to let Pallthorpe browbeat her, although she feared that once they married, he would become even worse. Mellie wouldn’t let that happen.

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