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“I wish you every success.”
“Does this mean you now approve of me?”
Questions formed in Anthony’s eyes. “I never disapproved of you, Elliot, you are my best friend. I love you like a brother.”
“Yet you did warn me away from her.”
Anthony flushed. “Emma was an idealistic seventeen -year-old girl. You were different and had not been reared with the same gentility as us. Elliot, you would have terrified her. And then the accident happened…” his words trailed away, guilt and pain darkening his eyes. “It is my pain to bear for the rest of my life that my sister was horrifyingly hurt. I just wanted what was best for her.”
“And I wasn’t a duke then,” he murmured, a peculiar weight in his heart.
“You cannot fault me, us, for wanting better for her. You had no wealth or status to keep her as she deserved.”
“How unpleasant to know my worth as a husband for your sister was only measured by my purse and status and not my character, and not that I would have loved her beyond this life and the next,” he said mildly.
Anthony frowned. “Emma never felt like that.”
“I know.”
“You do?”
“I asked her to marry me about six months after I became the duke of Hartford. She said a duke deserved better,” he said gruffly. “But then she had been bound to a wheel chair.”
“You never mentioned it,” Anthony said. “Was it her rejections why you’ve hardly visited? You should have approached father. He would have formed a contract.”
“Without her consent.”
“Well yes, but—”
“I did not want her by force.”
“I love you like a brother, and I do not give a damn about your past as you’ve insinuated before, but I care about Emma’s future. I picture for her a doting husband, and children.”
His mouth went dry at the very idea of her growing big with his child. “If that is what Emma wants, I can give it to her.” The ache that filled him was crippling, it was a damn good thing his ass was already on the ground, or he would have fallen. “I’ve desired her for years,” Elliot said without a hint of apology, “and I will crave her for a lifetime more.”
Anthony nodded, looking sheepish, and then after a few moments held out his hand. Elliot took it, his heart summersaulting in his chest. This was the first time his friend had given any sign of approval that he would welcome a relationship between his best friend and sister.
“If Emma refuses, father will ensure she accepts. I must say you are the catch of the season.”
Elliot went cold. “If Emma is even pricked, I will bury your father.”
Anthony stiffened, ruthlessness shifting across his features. “Are you threatening my father?”
“Of course.”
“Elliot—”
“No,” he grounded. “Emma is his daughter. If he does anything to harm her, I will not show mercy. She is mine to protect, and that is what I will damn well do. I want to knock your teeth down your throat for even talking so casually about forcing her. Your job is also to protect her, at all costs. Even if it’s from your father. He’ll not do anything to force her. I’ll ask, pray, cajole and hope she will say yes…but I’ll never use force.”
Anthony considered him coolly then nodded once, before mounting his horse and departing. Elliot remounted his horse and rode in the direction of his home. The vibrant green of the rolling countryside blurred by as he rode, feeling a sense of hope he hadn’t felt in years. He envisioned Emma in his bed, by his side forever and his mouth went dry, and his heartbeat tripled.
He could not imagine a more perfect duchess, resilient in the face of such hardship, courageous enough to demand life had more to offer and seizing it with her sweet kindness.
Elliot smiled. He’d warned her, he’d told her to run, and she hadn’t listened. He was going for her, and nothing would prevent him from claiming her as his duchess. How difficult that would be was another question he was willing to let simmer for another time.
Chapter 10
“His Grace, the duke of Hartford has called, Miss Emma.”
