Once the butler had walked away, Hawthorne’s eyes roamed the room and remarked, “Do you hear that?”
“Hear what?”
“Exactly. It is too quiet,” Hawthorne said. “Where are the servants?”
William lifted his brow. “They might just be going about their chores,” he replied.
“And the footmen?” Hawthorne asked.
Before William could answer his question, the butler returned and said, “Lord Wakefield will see you now. If you will follow me to his study.”
The butler spun on his heel and headed down a narrow hall to the rear of the townhouse. He stopped outside of the door and indicated that they should enter.
Once William and Hawthorne stepped inside of the room, the door was closed behind them. Lord Wakefield was standing near the drink cart.
The man held up a glass. “Would you care for something to drink?”
“No, we would not,” Hawthorne said gruffly.
Lord Wakefield walked over to an upholstered armchair and sat down. “I knew you would come, Grenton, but I did not expect you to bring along Hawthorne to act as your muscle.”
“I did no such thing,” William said. “We are here to speak to you about your sister.”
“Yes, we have much to discuss.” Lord Wakefield gestured towards the chair across from him. “Perhaps it might be best if we all had a seat.”
William walked over and sat down but Hawthorne remained standing.
Lord Wakefield took a sip of his drink before saying, “I want you to return my sister, or there will be dire consequences for you.”
“Pardon?” Had Lord Wakefield just threatened him?
“I don’t know how I could have been clearer.” Lord Wakefield paused. “I want my sister home.”
“I’m afraid she has no intention of returning.”
“I don’t care what she wants!” Lord Wakefield exclaimed. “She has a duty to this family, and she will fulfill it.”
This was not going well. “Miss Holbrooke does not wish to marry Lord Ransdale.”
“Bah. She doesn’t know what she wants,” Lord Wakefield said. “She would be a countess if she married Lord Ransdale.”
“Your sister does not appear to be the type of woman to be tempted by a title.”
“Then she is more foolish than I thought.” Lord Wakefield sipped his drink. “I blame all the books that she’s been allowed to read. If my parents hadn’t indulged her every fancy, then she would be more grateful for what she has.”
“Regardless, I do believe that Miss Holbrooke knows her own mind.”
Lord Wakefield chuckled dryly. “Did you have your fun with her?”
“I am unsure of what you are implying.”
“Did you lift her skirts?” Lord Wakefield asked. “I wouldn’t blame you if you did. But I do hope you know that she does not belong to you. She belongs to me.”
William felt his hands ball into tight fists. “I did not touch your sister, and I do not appreciate your insinuation.”
“That is surprising, considering she ran off to your orphanage. I had it on good authority that you visited her quite frequently.”
“She is the headmistress of the orphanage, and I did have meetings with her there,” William said, “but nothing untoward happened.”
