? “I mean that my bride is experiencing what many refer to as cold feet. She knows she must marry me, but in her last days of freedom, she is eager to test the waters and see what other gentlemen might be interested in her hand. It is a childish attempt to stir my jealousy, of course, and one that I will not stand for. But it has worked: it has brought me to London, and now I will stake my claim for her.”
“Excuse me,” Dorian said, standing up before he could help himself. At once, all eyes in the room turned to him. But he had eyes only for Lord Dubois. “I will not allow you to speak of Lady Leah in such terms,” he snarled. “She is not childish or a flirt, nor is she eager to test any waters. She simply does not want to marry you, Lord Dubois. You are trying to force your suit upon her--against her will--and she has every right to choose a different gentleman.”
Lord Eaton’s eyes narrowed. “Force your suit?” he looked at Dubois. “Does the girl not want to marry you?”
“Of course she does!” Dubois said, glaring at Dorian. “It is just her brother who does not approve of the match. He thinks I am too old. But Leah’s hand was promised to me by her father, and I assure you, I plan to make good on that.”
Eaton, mercifully, looked up at this, his eyes narrowing. “If the Duke of Dredford is opposed to the match, then there must be a good reason. He would want what is best for his sister.”
“He is opposed because the late Duke of Dredford did not approve the match,” Dorian said. “Dubois is lying!”
Dubois’ lip curled. “ I am not lying, and I have the legal papers to prove Dredford is simply a stubborn man. But he will lose this legal battle. The law is on my side.”
Eaton looked back and forth between Dorian and Dubois, clearly unsure whom to believe. “The law will not allow you to marry a young lady who is unwilling ,” he began uncertainly , and Dorian felt momentarily forgiving of the man’s flaws, if he was going to stand up for Lady Leah like this against her foes.
“The lady has been promised to me,” Dubois snarled, “and she will fall in line. She wants this match, even if she is having trouble admitting it to herself. ”
“No she doesn’t!” Dorian roared, his hands balling into fists. But Dubois ignored him.
“ Long has she been attached to me. And any man who stands in my way will be met with the full force of the law.” Dubois’s face darkened and his voice grew lower and more dangerous as he glared at Eaton and Dorian . “Dredford will be mired in this legal battle long after I have married his sister, and I will make sure to bury whoever else stands in my way.”
Dorian turned furious to Eaton.
“Defend the woman you are planning to marry!” He snapped. “Tell this snake that you will not be intimidated!”
Eaton, however, looked uncertain, and before he could reply, Dubois spoke.
“Ask yourself, Eaton: is the girl really worth this? She came into your life, what, two days ago? And has used her charms and good looks to manipulate you into thinking of marriage when you still hardly know her or anything of her character. Is her pretty face really worth taking me on?”
Eaton closed his mouth. He was now gazing at Dubois with a strange expression, as if he couldn’t quite believe his own ears. Dorian’s heart sank. He knew that expression. It was a look he’d seen on the faces of many young men when they realized they’d gotten themselves into hot water with a young lady. And Dorian knew what it meant: it meant that Eaton was realizing Lady Leah wasn’t worth the effort. He was realizing he barely knew her, and now no longer trusted her. He was realizing that he wasn’t willing to go into a legal battle for her hand in marriage--especially if she was manipulating him.
“You are spineless,” Dorian spat at Eaton. “Dubois is the one manipulating you, not Lady Leah!” Eaton looked at him with momentary guilt and regret, but then he made his face smooth and expressionless.
“Why should I defend a girl whose motivations are unclear and who clearly is only using me to either make Dubois jealous or getout of a legally binding marriage contract with him? I will not be used, Nottington.”
“Oh, please! All gentleman and ladies use each other in the marriage mart. Lady Leah’s reasons for needing to wed are no different from any other ladies’!”
“I will not be used!” Eaton repeated, more loudly. He turned back to Dubois.
Dorian wanted to stand up and start yelling at Eaton. Defend her! He wanted to scream. Dubois is the one manipulating you, not Lady Leah! Yes, she needs a husband, but her actions are no worse than any young lady’s who is in need of a good match.
“You will not face any opposition from me,” Eaton said at last. His face had become closed once more, and he looked every bit the proper, disinterested gentleman. “I admire the young lady, but there is no serious attachment--certainly nothing that would challenge the legal right of a previous engagement contract.”
? ? “Good, very good,” Dubois said, and a toad-like smile spread across his face. Dorian’s stomach churned again. There was something so malevolent about this man that it made him feel queasy. “Then I would appreciate it if you could spread this information throughout the ton and to any other of Lady Leah’s suitors: that I, Lord Dubois, have an unimpeachable contract promising me her hand in marriage, and I will not hesitate to go into legal battle with anyone who attempts to thwart it.”
Lord Eaton nodded. “I’m sure no one would do so,” he said , turning and glaring at Dorian .
“You are a coward,” Dorian spat, crossing his arms. “And I will absolutely not be spreading this false information. I am a gentleman and I will protect this lady at all costs--unlike you, Eaton, who are not worthy to even look at her.”
“Stop throwing a tantrum, Nottington,” Eaton said coldly, all the guilt gone from his face now. “What is the girl to you, anyway? You are often in her company but you have not offered for her either--you clearly see her deficiencies as well.”
“She has no deficien---”
But Eaton had already turned away. “Would you care to join us for a drink, Lord Dubois?” he interrupted.
“No, I must be going,” Dubois said. His eyes were fixed on Dorian, even as he spoke to Eaton, and Dorian saw the suspicion there . “But now the gentlemen of London are warned: stay away from Lady Leah Grove.”
He turned and swept from the room, leaving a taut silence behind him. Dorian felt as if his stomach had dropped completely out of him. He was shaking with rage.
