“Am I?”
“You are. And at the moment—rather reckless.”
Alec shrugged.
“Headstrong.”
“I fully admit, I am used to having my way.”
“Too used to having your way, I suspect. By heaven, if your father had not been my friend, you would never be invited back,” Lord Preston said sternly.
Alec gave a faint smile. “Am I being invited back?”
“That depends on you.”
Alec arched a brow.
The baron’s tone was gruff. “Lady Maura’s mother and my wife were distant cousins. Even if her uncle were not here with her, you know that, as such, I would be obliged to stand up for her.”
Alec’s eyes narrowed.
“You know Murdoch will demand that you wed her. It is only right. Regardless of what you claim about her conduct, it does not excuse yours. All of us saw the proof, the fact that Lady Maura’s reputation has now been irreparably damaged. She lost her virginity to you, your grace. You can hardly deny your part in it.”
Alec’s teeth were clenched so hard his jaw hurt. “And if we were to query her further, I would lay odds she planted herself in my bed for a purpose. If we were to query her further, perhaps she might admit she set out to catch herself a duke and his fortune!”
“What! And you had no part in it?” Preston scoffed. “Perhaps you should have thought of that before you took her to your room. To your bed.” His tone carried a stern admonishment. “As the daughter of an earl,” he continued curtly, “no man of good family will marry her now. She has no prospects—”
“None but a rich Scottish duke! And I didn’t know who she was. But I’ll wager she knew exactly who I was.”
Preston glared at him. “Even if she did, that does not alter or excuse your behavior.”
Alec made a sound of disgust.
The baron ignored it and went on. “It’s entirely possible Lady Maura may well deliver your child. Have you considered that?”
How could he, Alec thought blackly, when he had no memory of ever bedding her!
“A Catholic girl who is no longer a virgin has no future. She and her family will face nothing but shame. It may easily follow them forever. If you do not do the honorable thing, Alec, she might as well go straightaway to the convent. Her life there would not be an easy one with such a taint. Would you subject her to that? Only one thing will restore her honor. Circumstances do not permit your refusal.”
Alec felt like grinding his teeth. It gnawed at him, the notion that something was not right.
“Alec! Would you tolerate any less if a member of your family was compromised in such a way?”
He would not, he admitted to himself grudgingly. He had not. A voice inside reminded him that he had demanded marriage to his sister from his present brother-in-law, Simon Blackwell, for only a kiss—not the deflowering of a lady of respectable family, as he himself had apparently done.
Society’s rules demanded payment, he thought with a bitter twist. Perhaps it would have set better if he at least remembered it!
Preston interrupted his thought. “Your choice regarding the lady will reflect on you, your grace. Offer,” the baron urged. “Do not make Murdoch demand. I believe it’s the better way.”
Alec uncoiled himself. The baron was right. He was used to having his way, damn it all, and when all did not go his way…
Well, in this instance, at least, he had no choice to blame it on the effects of too much wine.
Murdoch was standing with his hands behind his back when Alec approached a scant five minutes later.
“Your grace?” he inquired coolly.
Alec gave a stiff bow. “I should like a word with my”—his lip curled—“bride-to-be. That is, if it meets with your approval.”
