Three Proposals and a Scandal: A Sons of Sin Novella Read Free Page B

recklessness. “I’d count myself the most fortunate of men if you honor me with your hand in marriage.”
    Her laugh was derisive and irony sharpened her tone. “Thank you for your proposal, Lord Wilmott, but I find myself unable to accept.”
    His temper, barely mastered, exploded and he strode up to catch her arm and bring her around to face him. “So what are you going to do? Marry that dry stick Desborough? Or even worse, that puppy Tranter?”
    Without pulling away, she regarded him with a dislike that fired his anger. Why couldn’t she see that they were meant to be together?
    “That’s none of your concern, sir.” Then proved that her own temper was far from serene. “At least those gentlemen are interested in more than my dowry.”
    “I’m not interested in your bloody dowry,” he snapped, blasting his brother for leaving the family affairs in such disarray. It wasn’t the first time he’d damned Peter’s fecklessness since he’d inherited. “You know I want you for yourself alone.”
    “Save your breath.” She broke away and backed toward the wall.
    Surely she wasn’t genuinely afraid of him? If she was, he’d go straight home and blow his brains out. What an infernal mess he’d made of all this. “Marianne—”
    “Why is this confounded door closed?” Large, burly, belligerent, Lord Baildon barged into the room and glowered at his daughter.
    Bugger. Elias had hoped to have longer with her, if simply to apologize for acting like such a boor.
    “Papa, Lord Wilmott was about to leave,” she said steadily, looking like a queen and shifting further from Elias.
    “What are you doing here, Wilmott?” the old man barked.
    Elias struggled to look as if he and Marianne hadn’t just been shouting at one another. “I’m taking my leave, sir.”
    “Then take your leave. We’re for Hillbrook’s place in the country today and she’s no time for her flirts.”
    “Papa!” Marianne protested.
    “I speak as I find, my girl. This ruffian has been sniffing around you for months. He can obviously smell a fortune.”
    Elias’s lips tightened against a hot response. “You are offensive, my lord.”
    “Offensive, am I?” Baildon regarded him from under heavy gray brows. “See how offensive you find this. My daughter’s portion is at my discretion. If she marries without my consent, I’ll cast her off. How amorous do you feel now you know that she’ll come to you destitute?”
    “You do both of us an injustice, Lord Baildon,” Elias said stiffly.
    “I don’t think so,” Baildon grunted.
    “Lady Marianne’s person is fortune enough,” Elias said, meaning it, although he could see neither Baildon nor, more importantly, Marianne believed him.
    “I’ve decided that she’s marrying Desborough, so don’t waste your time here, my fine fellow.”
    The temper Marianne had so recently directed at Elias brightened her eyes. “Papa, this is not a suitable discussion to hold outside the family.”
    Her father scowled and puffed up like an angry toad. “It is when I find my daughter closeted with a man whose very name is a byword for folly and vice.”
    “Lord Wilmott isn’t responsible for his brother’s sins,” she retorted. Elias was surprised and gratified to hear her defend him. After all, her father’s insults weren’t far removed from what she’d said to him. He supposed he should take umbrage at Baildon’s churlishness, but what was the point?
    “All the Thornes are useless charges on the state. This popinjay might have a handsome face, but that won’t keep you warm when he’s gambled away every penny of your dowry.”
    “My lord, I charge you to watch your tongue,” Elias snapped, losing patience. He regarded the man down his long nose. He’d always known that Lord Baildon disliked him. Only now did he realize the depths of the man’s loathing. This wooing seemed more hopeless by the minute.
    Baildon glowered. “I can say what I like when you’re in my house,