“Not that it is any of your business, but I was visiting Lord Dunhaven, who happens to be my ward. I was staying at the village inn and heard the clatter of the fire brigade. Upon finding out the fire was at the manor, I came to help, as would any good samaritan.”
The implication that Titus had not come to help but instead chose to show up the next morning to berate hung in the hair, unspoken but clearly conveyed.
“I-I didn’t hear the bells. Otherwise I would have come as well, of course.”
“Of course,” Michael agreed mildly. but his tone implied doubt.
“You said your ward?”
“Yes. Hasn’t your solicitor notified you? Tsk, I’ll make sure my solicitor provides all the pertinent information. It seems there’s a long-standing arrangement that names me one of the child’s guardians.”
“How can that be? You are not even the child’s family.”
“Ah! But years ago, our families almost merged. The clause still stands. It’s all very technical, indeed. Like I said, I’ll have my solicitor explain.”
“But if you are the guardian, does that mean Lady Josephine is not?” Cousin Titus was grappling with this new information, clearly attempting to discern what this would mean for his plans to claim the guardianship.
“Lady Josephine and I are co-guardians.”
“But… that’s entirely inappropriate.” Titus puffed up with self-righteous indignation. “You are not even family, and she is an unmarried female of questionable morals—”
“Watch it, Mr. Everleigh,” Michael practically snarled, but Titus unwisely went on.
“Well, it is the truth, Your Grace. You may be a duke, but the fact remains that you are not the child’s family and this woman is wholly incapable of caring for him, as proven by the disaster she has already caused to the property. Not to mention that young Edward could have perished in the fire. My wife and I are the child’s relatives. We have children ourselves, so we know how to raise him. Surely any court would see who among us are the most qualified to be the child’s guardians.”
“I have to admit that you appear to be the obvious choice,” Michael conceded, and she cut him a sharp glance. “Which makes it even more interesting that despite that, the child’s father did not name you his guardian. One has to wonder why.”
“My cousin was obviously mentally unfit due to his disease.”
“I doubt it. Regardless of your opinion, the fact remains we are the child’s guardians, not you.”
“We shall see what the courts have to say about this. What is your stake in this, anyway? Surely a bachelor such as yourself can have no interest in taking on the responsibility of raising a child. Unless…” Everleigh looked speculatively between Michael and herself, an ugly sneer stretching his lips. “Ah, I see howit is. Is she your fancy piece, then? Has she beguiled you into becoming her champion?”
“I’d be very careful in the way you talk about my fiancée, Everleigh.” Michael exuded lethal menace, but what shook her to her core was the word fiancée. Had he lost his mind?
But as much as the news of her betrothal surprised her, it was nothing like the effect it had on Titus.
“Fiancée? What do you mean? When? How?” The man was babbling, even more surprised than herself, it seemed.
“Very recent. In fact, you may be the first to congratulate us, as we have not made our betrothal known.”
He was so convincing delivering the news of the fake engagement that even she began questioning if the inhalation of too much smoke had scrambled her senses and she had somehow forgotten some important events—such as getting betrothed.
“Congratulations, cousin, Your Grace.” A more false congratulatory statement was difficult to imagine. Titus looked as if he might choke on the words, and Margaret spitted venom from her gaze. But at least they turned and stormed out of the breakfast room.
Her knees gave up and she sank back into the chair. She must be numb with shock. Something important had just happened. Something momentous. Her heart was hammering in her chest. But she just didn’t know how to react. What to say.
“Josephine—”
“You told them we were betrothed.”
“It’s not entirely a lie. We were betrothed once.”
“That’s not the point. You told them we were betrothed now.”
“We could be, if you want to.”
“If I want to?” She couldn’t help it, a nervous laugh escaped her. “Well, that is a proposal to turn a woman’s head.”
