Page 7 of A Marriage of Necessity

“She will always be safe under my care,” his father replied.

“Your threat to marry her to Granbury proves otherwise,” he snarled. “You know full well he beat his first wife to death.”

“You are intelligent enough to know that gossip rarely resembles true events,” the earl replied.

“I’m intelligent enough to know that most gossip has some grain of truth to it. If one hair on her head is harmed, I will kill you.”

“You’re threatening a dying man, Kennedy. I have made peace with my imminent death.”

“You could live another year, to three or four. I can end you before that. I can end you tonight.”

“Then you would never see your sister again.”

“What happens if you die before I can produce an heir?” His heart thundered.

“I suggest you pray that doesn’t happen.”

Kennedy stared. His father was a bastard, but this went beyond anything Kennedy could have imagined the old man capable of. “You cannot keep her prisoner forever. She will escape. She will return home. Your threat is unreasonable.” The last, he said more for himself than his father.

“Your sister isn’t in Scotland. Escape is nigh to impossible. Even if she did manage by some miracle to escape, she would have to journey home. She has no friends, no money, no escort.” The last words were said with an emphasis that told Kennedy his father knew the exact picture that had arisen in Kennedy’s mind at the thought of his young sister trying to return home on her own. And she would try just that.

“You would sacrifice your daughter?” he whispered. “Risk her losing everything, possibly even her life, just to force me to marry?”

“You see my actions as those of a man bent on hurting you. I see my actions as those of a desperate man trying to preserve his legacy.”

“Legacy?” Kennedy sneered. “I should have known. This has nothing to do with me. You don’t give a damn if I marry or even carry on the title. This is about you wanting to be remembered.” Kennedy released a harsh breath. “If you wanted to extract revenge because I had Jacqueline before you did, I would have more respect for you. But this—” He shook his head. “You are right. These are the actions of a desperate man. You’re a liar, Father. You do fear death.” His father’s eyes narrowed, but Kennedy gave him no chance to reply. “I will marry within a week. But on one condition.”

His father waited.

“Once you confirm my wife is with child, you will bring Rose home.”

His father shook his head. “Your wife could lose the child, and the child might not be a male. I know you well enough to know that you wouldn’t touch her again just to spite me.”

Kennedy stared. “I would agree to the terms, if I were you. Keep in mind, I have considerable resources at my disposal. You know, of course, the moment I leave this house, I will begin my own search for Rose. If fortune favors me—and she often does—and I find my sister before you die, I will divorce my wife and immediately set about siring a string of bastards, none of whom can claim your title.” Kennedy gave him a cold smile. “Then I will seduce your wife and sire a child on her that cannot possibly inherit your title.”

His father’s eyes widened. “You’re not capable of such dastardly actions.”

Kennedy gave him a cold smile. “I am capable of far worse. After all, I am your son.”