Dominic nodded once and strode out, his mind already bracing for the confrontation awaiting him. He didn’t need to guess why Haverleigh had come. The annulment.
When he entered his study, Mr. Haverleigh was already there, standing rigid in the center of the room with the barely restrained fury of a man who believed himself wronged.
“Good morning,” Dominic greeted, tone clipped but polite.
“I’m not here for pleasantries,” Haverleigh snapped. “I’ve come to collect my sister and take her home.”
Dominic didn’t hesitate. “No.”
Haverleigh’s brows lifted. “Pardon?”
“I believe I was quite clear,” Dominic replied. “Dorothea is not going anywhere. Certainly not with you.”
Haverleigh’s nostrils flared. “Says the man who seeks to ruin her with an annulment.”
“Yes,” Dominic admitted. “But if it is granted, she will not return to your house. I will provide her with a household of her own—safe and far removed from your reach.”
Haverleigh took a threatening step forward. “You lost the right to care for her the moment you decided to cast her aside. She is my sister, and I will not let you destroy what remains ofher dignity,” he said. “If you establish a household for Dorothea, she would be considered a kept woman. Is that what you want?”
Dominic remained unmoved. “No, that is not what I want.”
“You’ve ruined her,” Haverleigh spat out. “I intend to repair what I can, beginning with taking her home.”
“She does not wish to go with you.”
His lips twisted in disdain. “Does it matter what she wants?”
Dominic’s jaw clenched. “It most certainly does.”
There was a smug glint in Haverleigh’s eyes now. “I doubt she’s agreed to this annulment.”
“I am doing what is best for her.”
“No, you’re doing what is easiest foryou,” Haverleigh sneered. “What is best for her is to come home, where I can see to her future and salvage what reputation she has left.”
“So you can beat her again, I suppose?”
Haverleigh’s expression faltered, then turned to outrage. “How I discipline my sister is none of your concern.”
“Discipline?” Dominic echoed. “Is that what you call it?”
“She married, did she not? Without permission. That sort of disobedience must be corrected.”
Dominic took a step forward, his voice a quiet, dangerous promise. “If you ever lay a hand on her again, I will not let the law deal with you. I will.”
Haverleigh blanched but held his tongue.
Dominic continued. “Furthermore, she is still my wife. And as such, she will remain here under my protection.”
Haverleigh’s lip curled in disdain. “You think you’re so clever…”
Dominic allowed a dry smile to tug at the corner of his mouth. “I do, actually.”
“If the annulment is granted, Dorothea won’t be your responsibility anymore. She’ll be unprotected. Alone. And you can’t always shield her from the consequences of her actions.”
Dominic had heard enough. “You may go now,” he growled. “You are no longer welcome in my home.”
Haverleigh paused, arching a brow. “Interesting choice of words—yourhome. Notourhome. Nothers.Did you ever truly intend to remain married to my sister? Or was this entire farce just another means to ease your guilt?”
