The Smithfield Bargain Read Free

hand along the ornate back of a bench as she walked in front of the table that he tapped impatiently with his fingers, she tried to calculate the easiest way to broach this subject which might lead to fireworks between them. “Little things from about the countryside,” she answered. “You know. Things that always concern the gentry. Births, deaths, marriages … betrothals.”
    The duke’s bushy white brows knitted as a sarcastic smile settled on his thin lips. “Betrothals? Where might you have heard of such a thing? I recall hearing no such tidings among our neighbors.”
    Unable to keep up her nonchalant pose, she came around the table again. The voluminous skirt of her riding habit swished along the carpet as she knelt by his chair. She put her hand on his gnarled, blue-veined one. “Grandfather, why did you refuse to receive Bradley when he called this afternoon?”
    â€œWhere did you see that insolent cur?” He muttered his prayers backward, not apologizing. Her grandfather never apologized for breaking the canons of propriety, although he expected her to be comme il faut . “Damnation take it! I should have curried his skin-coat so he would know to heed my command when I tell him he must have nothing more to do with anyone in my family. I do not want him sniffing about your skirts.”
    Romayne struggled not to retort in Bradley’s defense. Losing her temper would resolve nothing. Grandfather must stop seeing her as still in her infancy. She could make her own decisions, and she had. She intended to marry Bradley Montcrief. Clenching and unclenching her hands at her sides, she raised her chin so that her golden hair curved along her nape. She remembered Bradley’s request to refrain from speaking of their conversation on the road, so she said only, “I know he planned to look in on you today.”
    â€œTo beg me to let him dangle about you, no doubt.” He shook his head. “You should not look surprised that I would give him his congé before he had the opportunity to make such a suggestion. I have no wish for my granddaughter to tangle her life with a man like him.”
    â€œDear Grandfather, you cannot mean what you are saying. Bradley Montcrief is a gentle and kind man.”
    â€œGentleman?” He snorted rudely. Rising and clasping his hands behind him, he turned his back on her as he walked toward the hearth. “Montcrief is no gentleman, and I vow that his kind of man is not yours. I intend you to wed a man who knows the meaning of honor and fidelity, not one who thinks only of plumping his pockets.” He faced her, his features rigid with fury. “Romayne, I forbid you to see that rake-jakes again.”
    â€œI cannot accede to such a ludicrous command.” She stood and fisted her fingers on the top of his unadorned chair. Her gaze locked with his. “Grandfather, I have done as you have wished for every day of my life. Although we both know I have contested you in the past, you cannot deny that I have never balked at anything when it was important to you, but this request is beyond belief.”
    â€œMy request is simple, Romayne. You shall endeavor to do nothing to allow yourself to be in his company. If you have the misfortune to find yourself in Montcrief’s company, you shall excuse yourself immediately.”
    â€œNo.”
    The duke’s steps were not slowed by age as he came to stand on the opposite side of the chair. He stabbed the air with the end of his cheroot. “Romayne, while you live in Westhampton Hall, you shall heed my injunctions.”
    â€œI cannot.” Could he not see he was breaking her heart with his want-witted demands? She did not want to have to choose between her grandfather and Bradley.
    â€œThere shall be no more discussion of this. You have heard my order, and I trust that you will obey it. I trust as well that I shall not have to speak to Grange to be certain you