“Your Grace.” Huxley took Eva’s hand in his and lifted it to his lips and Daniel felt the sudden tension in her as she snatched it back.
“Are you well, Miss Myers?” Daniel looked at the young lady as Eva questioned her. She did look a bit distressed. Had Huxley done something to her?
“I wonder if I may impose on you to look at my hem, your Grace. I fear it is torn and trailing behind me.”
“Oh, of course.”
Daniel reluctantly released Eva as she patted his fingers. He watched as she bent over to inspect the fabric of Miss Myers’s hem.
“My congratulations, Duke.”
Daniel looked at Huxley but the man’s eyes were on Eva. “Congratulations?” Daniel queried in that soft voice that usually made people stand to attention.
“On finding such a rare gem. I have known her for many years and had hoped…”
Daniel watched as Huxley gave Eva a final look before facing him. The man was a parasite whose very existence was to feed off others. He slept with other men’s wives and preyed on young, rich men, often luring them into gambling, which caused some to lose their fortunes. He had fought numerous duels and rarely, if ever, lost. Daniel and Huxley did not often meet - their circles were made up of different men - but Huxley had obviously fixed his intentions on Eva some time ago. Daniel would have to un-fix them, permanently.
“One thing you should know about me, Huxley,” Daniel said in a conversational tone so Eva was not alerted, “is that what is mine I protect, and if you cross me, be very clear on who will be the winner.”
Huxley paled and took a step backwards.
Daniel followed. “If you ever subject my wife to your unwanted attentions or your eyes pass over her in that insulting manner again, I will take that as a direct insult and my seconds will be upon you in minutes…that is, if I choose to wait until dawn,” Daniel added. “I know you visited her at Stratton but as yet I do not know what took place, but I will, and if through some misguided belief, you think I will not protect her or deal with any threat against her, then I advise you to strongly think again.”
“Sh-she has always welcomed me with open arms.”
“She loathes you, Huxley, and you are deluding only yourself in believing otherwise.”
“Y-you misunderstand me, your Grace.”
“I think not, my lord, but now I think you understand me and be very careful where you step from this moment on, because if I ever find out that you are threatening or intimidating my wife, there will be nowhere for you to hide, and remember this, Huxley. I am not scared of you like so many others.”
Turning his back on the man, Daniel took Eva’s arm again, bowed to Miss Myers and led his wife back to their waiting carriage.#p#分页标题#e#
…
“We are to go to the theatre tonight, Eva, with Claire and Simon,” Daniel said over his newspaper the following morning. “And I cannot believe I’m saying this, but my grandmother and Lady Dunbar are attending also.”
Eva, who was spreading strawberry conserves on a muffin, nodded. “You invited your grandmother? That was very nice of you.”
“Actually she invited herself and I simply agreed.”
“What does it say on the back bit there?” Eva leaned over to tap the back of his paper. “About a new exhibition on Egyptian artifacts?”
“If you have just put strawberry conserve on my paper, I will not be pleased, wife.”
“Then perhaps you could just give me that back piece,” Eva said, reaching over to tug it out of his grasp.
“If I remember correctly, you vowed to honor and obey me,” Daniel muttered.
“Lord Kelkirk, your Grace,” Wernham said, opening the door.
Eva smiled as Simon strolled into the breakfast parlor. As usual, his face wore a calm, unruffled expression and he was dressed in the height of fashion. “Simon. How lovely to see you. Would you like something to eat?”
“He has his own home. Can he not eat there?” Daniel retrieved his newspaper.
“I was reading that.” Eva frowned as he pulled it from her hands.
Daniel looked at Simon, who in turn looked at Eva.
“If ever there was a reason to re-enforce my current unmarried state, having to share my morning newspaper would be it.” Simon said, lifting a silver lid on the sideboard and peering beneath. “May I suggest you read it in your study? Surely in there you will be safe.”
“Now there’s a thought.” Daniel once again buried his head in the newsprint.
“Lord Lucien has four greys that he is selling, Daniel, and I want to be the first to see them.” Simon stole the last muffin and slathered it in honey.