The Heart of a Duke(51)

“I have said enough? What the devil do you think you have done?” he roared. “You have ruined his daughter. She is tarnished goods. But the real question is, did you intend this all along? Was ruining my fiancée your way of getting back at me for your childhood slights?”

“You are not serious,” Daniel scoffed, incredulous.

“I am. If that was your plan, you have made a grave error. You see, I do not give a damn.” He shrugged. “If I had, I would have wedded and bedded her years ago.”

“What the devil are you talking about?”

“She is a pretty thing, of good lineage, and she came with a hefty dowry. I am in need of an heir to replace you, and she is of prime bloodstock. I would have honored my contract and married her. But now that you have given me a means of extricating myself while keeping her dowry, which I insisted on Taunton forfeiting in payment for breach of contract, I have concluded it is for the best. In lieu of all that has occurred over the past few years, it is clear to me that madness permeates the Chandler bloodline. Therefore, it is best that our families not merge and risk tainting the Bedford lineage.”

Daniel’s lips parted. He had expected Edmund to accuse Julia of many things, none of them good, but he had never fathomed this disturbing charge.

“I have to admit, I thought more of Julia. Thought she had refined taste, but her indiscretion with you proves otherwise. Pity.” He made a disapproving face as he yanked on his gloves. “However, it matters not. It is finished, and I am glad of it.” He nodded toward Daniel. “As my heir, you need to maintain your distance from her. You must understand. The families cannot merge.” A tic vibrated in his cheek as he eyed Daniel, almost daring him to question him.

Daniel was rendered speechless. When he recovered his voice, bafflement laced his words. “How odd. We finally agree on something.”

Edmund nodded. “I thought you would be difficult. But I am glad that we are of like minds in regard to this matter.”

“You misunderstand,” Daniel said. “I agree on your earlier point. I, too, am glad it is over and Julia is free of you. She deserves so much better. Or at the very least, a husband who thinks better of her.”

Edmund drew himself up and peered at Daniel as if he were a dimwitted clod whom he deigned to educate. “You forget, I am a duke, and here in England, with the exception of a prince, there is none better. I don’t accept tainted goods, least of all my brother’s castoffs.”

Daniel did not think, but lunged. Their bodies collided.

The force of the impact sent them flying to the ground, Daniel sprawled on top of Edmund. “You bloody bastard!”

Scrambling to his knees, he landed two solid punches to Edmund’s gut before Edmund’s men yanked him off.

Edmund staggered to his feet and leaning over, braced his hands on his thighs, gasping for breath.

Daniel fought against the men restraining him. However, chosen for size and height, to do the uniform of the Bedford livery justice, he could not break their hold.

When Edmund recovered, he dove at Daniel, his fist hurling into his face. The force of the blow snapped Daniel’s head back. Preparing for another hit, Daniel lifted his feet, forcing the footmen to stagger and struggle to maintain their grip.

“Release him. He is not worth it,” Edmund ordered, flexing his hand, his attention on a pair of Taunton’s groomsmen running their way. Edmund had never liked an audience to witness his loss of temper.

One of the footmen handed Edmund his hat, which had flown off in his fall.

“Go back to America. I give you fair warning. Because if you don’t, you will not survive our next encounter.”

Daniel straightened, ignoring the throbbing pain in his cheek. “Rot in hell, Your Grace.”

Edmund stared at him, the glacial hatred in his eyes so frigid that Daniel almost recoiled. Then he simply smiled and turned away.

This fight was far from over, but Daniel was not going anywhere. Not yet. He had an agenda, and the item now topping the list was to ask for Julia’s hand in marriage.

He had vowed to save her from his brother. He had never meant to do it through the bonds of marriage, but if that is what it took, so be it. He had told Julia on that fateful day at the fair that he was a man who corrected his mistakes, and he had meant it.



DANIEL KEPT HIS attention on the imposing mahogany desk dominating the study. Two chairs sat before it, and it seemed like only yesterday that he had warmed one, while Edmund occupied the other as Taunton had spoken to them about keeping a protective eye on Julia, who appeared determined to romp after them. He and Edmund had been fourteen to Julia’s precocious nine years and had little interest in her catching them.