Lucian moved out of his chair swiftly, reading the anxious look on Santos's face. "What is it?"
"Abelard's here." Santos stopped in front of his desk. "The boat is rowing him to shore now."
"He dares to invade my home,” Lucian said in soft anger.
"He's here by invitation."
Santos swerved around while Lucian stared past him at Catherine standing in the doorway. She wore a pale yellow dress with a matching smock trimmed at the collar with embroidered apricot flowers. Her hair was drawn back with a yellow ribbon. She appeared ready for visitors.
"You invited your father here?" he asked cautiously, his temper near to erupting.
"Yes," she answered.
Santos shook his head.
"It is time this matter is settled," she insisted, walking into the room. "It is time you spoke with him."
Lucian maneuvered around his desk and walked up to her. "Madam, your condition warrants my patience, but if you think I'll accept Abelard as a guest in my home you are sorely mistaken."
Lucian stared down at her from his towering height, but she refused to allow his size to intimidate her. "He is my father and I wish him to visit with us."
"He is the man who condemned me to hell," he argued.
Catherine braced herself for she knew her words would hurt him, but she also knew that in the end they would help heal him. "You have served your sentence. It is time to face your accuser."
He looked as though the fires of hell had raced up to engulf him, so red did his face flame. "So help me, Catherine —"
"That is precisely what I am attempting to do," she said gently but with a sternness that warned she was adamant in her decision.
No one had time to respond. A loud commotion in the entrance hall caught their attention, as did Bones when he ran into the study rushing to speak.
"Abelard says he demands to see his daughter, and now. And there's an older woman who feels that this is the greatest adventure she's ever been on and is asking all sorts of questions about pirates, and then there's a young pretty lady's maid that keeps crossing herself, and a tall, older manservant who stands directly beside Abelard and doesn't say a word." Out of breath Bones stopped talking.
"He demands in my home?" Lucian said with an angry growl.
Catherine attempted to soothe his fury. "My father is accustomed to giving orders."
"As I am, madam," Lucian snapped. "And since this is my home he will obey my orders."
Catherine took a deep breath against the chore she faced.
"Are you all right?" Lucian asked, his hand swiftly seeking her rounded belly and stroking her gently.
Catherine leaned against him. "Please, Lucian, speak with my father."
He found it hard denying her anything. He loved her so much. And Abelard was here and he had many questions. He was about to answer when Jolly rushed into the room.
"The marquis says his daughter better be brought out to him immediately, or there'll be hell to pay."
That did it. Lucian completely lost his temper. He pushed Catherine aside and stormed out of the room.
She shook her head. "Please, Santos, help me. It is important for them both."
Santos nodded and they both hurried from the room.
Lucian halted abruptly when he came face to face with Abelard. He had not expected a tall man, with well-defined features and a stance that spoke loudly of his aristocracy.
His clothes were tailored to his height and lean frame and his eyes — were chilling in their ice blue color. And when he spoke it was clear he was a man accustomed to issuing orders and being obeyed.
"My daughter, where is she?" Randolph Abelard demanded.
Aunt Lilith, to Catherine's relief, interrupted the confrontation. "Randolph, mind your manners. We're in this gentleman's home. And as you can see for yourself Catherine looks healthier than any pregnant woman I have ever seen."
Catherine attempted to move past Lucian to greet her father. But his hand captured her wrist, preventing her from moving. His possessive action wiped the smile off Abelard's face.
"This is my home, Abelard," Lucian announced, causing eyebrows to arch from his obvious disrespect in not addressing the marquis by his title. "Catherine obeys me, as do all who reside here. Is that clear?"
Again Aunt Lilith and her chatty nature interfered and Catherine blessed her. "Of course, my dear boy. We are delighted to be here and would not think of disrupting your household. Right, Randolph?"
The marquis stared blatantly at Lucian, his eyes having lost their icy chill. He almost looked sad as though looking at the imposing pirate brought him sorrow. "As my sister said, we are delighted to be here. Catherine?" He summoned her with an outstretched hand.