Page 59 of One Waltz with the Viscount

Henry shook his head, on edge.

‘I had her governess bring her down, when I saw a little leverage might be required to get you to step up and fulfil your side of our deal.’

‘Sophia is in London?’

‘Tucked away safely at One Grosvenor Square.’

‘Can I see her?’

‘Once you are engaged.’

‘I am not going to marry Lady Isabelle.’

‘Oh, but you are.’

‘You cannot make me, Father.’

Lord Burwell smiled wickedly, his expression like that of a snake slithering towards its prey.

‘There will be a wedding in three months. It can be yours, to Lady Isabelle, or it can be Sophia’s.’

‘Don’t be ridiculous. Sophia is far too young to marry.’

‘Yet I have arranged the most marvellous match for her. Old Lord Tutley is looking for his fourth wife.’

For a moment Henry could not believe what he was hearing.

‘Lord Tutley is seventy.’

‘A man still has needs at seventy.’

‘Sophia is fourteen.’

‘It is perfectly legal for her to marry, as long as she has my permission.’

‘You cannot think to submit her to that. It would be too cruel, even for you.’

‘It is not my decision,’ Lord Burwell said with a shrug. ‘As I said, there will be a marriage in three months. Either you marry Lady Isabelle, or Sophia marries Lord Tutley.’

Henry sank into a chair, leaning back and holding onto the arms.

‘Why are you doing this? What have I ever done to make you hate me so?’

‘I don’t hate you,’ Lord Burwell said, his voice without emotion. ‘I am just not sentimental enough to pander to your whims instead of putting the good of the family first.’

‘How is any of this good for the family?’

‘You jeopardised our reputation and our bloodline once. I will not allow you to do it again. It was hard enough cleaning up your last mess.’

Henry felt his heart twist in his chest and glanced surreptitiously at the bedroom door. He did not want to marry Lady Isabelle. He did not want to marry anyone except Sarah, even though he had not officially proposed. But if he was selfish, putting his own happiness over the welfare of his little sister, how would he be able to live with himself?

‘So what do you say? Do I contact Lord Tutley, or will you do your duty?’

‘Leave Sophia alone.’

‘I look forward to the announcement of your impending nuptials. Make it soon.’

Lord Burwell stood and walked away, not looking back at his son once. Henry hurried downstairs after him, more to make sure he had actually left than to be polite in seeing his father out.