The Duke I'm Going to Marry(56)

“This isn’t about us,” Laurel said in a sudden rush, her eyes widening and a blush now staining her cheeks. Rose and Daisy coughed as though to clear their suddenly parched throats. So did several of her aunts. Interesting. Her mother’s face was the deepest shade of crimson. So deep, it was almost purple. Now, that was even more interesting.

Her father, whose face was also red, though most likely from anger, frowned at her. “Enough of this nonsense. I want to hear the truth.”

“I’ve been telling you the truth, practically shouting it at you till I’m hoarse. Ian... His Grace... has always been a gentleman. He came to my rescue when Lord Ealing tried to lure me into a compromising position. He threw the clunch into the Wakefords’ fountain. That’s how Lord Ealing got his clothes wet.”

She glanced at Rose. “And I suppose Rose was right when she said Ian... His Grace, wasn’t interested in Lady Mary Abbott, because she immediately set her sights on Lord Ealing and got him into a compromising position. They deserve each other.”

One of her Oxfordshire aunts came forward, shaking her head. “I thought you liked Lord Ealing?”

“No, but I wanted to. I tried to. I simply couldn’t. In truth, I was relieved when he and Lady Mary were caught.” She sighed. “But my problem isn’t with them or with the duke.” She shot Ian another glance. “Don’t worry, I’m not going to marry you. As many times as they beat you into saying yes, I’ll say no.”

Ian cast her an appealingly lopsided grin, which was all he could manage with his lower lip swollen. “I’d rather avoid those beatings.” Then he laughed and shook his head. And laughed harder.

Obviously, the Farthingales had driven him to madness. She scowled at her family. “I’m ashamed of you all. Your behavior has been reprehensible.”

“Our behavior?” her mother, her father, and at least six Farthingale relatives said in unison.

Dillie nodded. “You acted as though the rumors were true. Had we all stayed and ignored the whispers, the matter would have blown over in a few days. But you panicked and ran, as though ashamed of me.”

Her mother stepped forward. “We’re only trying to protect you.”

“But you aren’t protecting me.” Where was Lily to explain it to them? Oh, how she wished her brilliant twin were here. “You’ve made things worse. You see, by running away—”

“Strangers can be cruel,” Julia said. “We didn’t want them to make you cry.”

She shook her head in dismay. “I see. Only my family has the right to make me cry. Well,” she said, as the tears began to spill from the corners of her eyes, “you’ve succeeded.”

Ian shook off his captors and stepped toward her. “Dillie, it’s all right—”

“No. It isn’t,” she said between sniffles, searching for a handkerchief and not finding one. Her father reached out to offer his. She tilted her chin into the air and refused it.

Ian sighed. “Here, take mine.”

“Thank you.” But he didn’t step back. He stood close and watched as she dabbed the tears now streaming down her cheeks.

“Can you ever love me?” he asked again, his voice deliciously soft against her ear. She wasn’t going to respond to the question. She refused to consider the possibility. No, she wasn’t going to think about it. Ever. Her feelings for him—assuming she had any—wouldn’t solve anything.

“What of you? Do you even like me? Enough to be saddled with me as your wife? Forever,” she shot back.

He frowned.

She had her answer. He wished to remain a confirmed bachelor. He didn’t want a wife, and didn’t want her as his wife. He didn’t love her. Didn’t need her. She was in a terrible scrape. She was tarnished. Ruined. And the worst part of it was that she had missed out on all the fun, for she hadn’t actually done anything wicked with Ian.

But she would next time.

Oh, yes. Indeed. She would indeed.

Next time Ian landed in her bed, she’d take full advantage of his big, gorgeous body.

“I’m sorry. I don’t mean to be ill-tempered with you.” She shook her head and sighed. “I’m angry and... scared, if you wish to know the truth. Oh, not for me. I know you’d never purposely hurt me. I’m worried about you. I don’t wish to ruin your chances of finding happiness. Not that you’re a happy person. In truth, you’re about the unhappiest person I know. And I’ve just made things worse for you.”

Ian’s expression was unreadable. Unlike hers. She was disgustingly easy to read, every thought and feeling revealed at a glance. He kept himself closed off, didn’t share his heart with anyone. He kept all his secrets to himself, especially the horrid ones that had scarred his soul.