“It matters not what you wish,” her father roared. “I have accepted his offer, and you will marry him or so help me God…”
The anger he vibrated with had Payton’s stomach plummeting. What was wrong? He had always been her most avid supporter. “Father—”
“I allowed you too much freedom. I indulged you and Phillipa, and disgrace was almost brought to this family. If not for the honor of Lord Jensen, we would have been none the wiser of your behavior, young lady.”
My behavior? Confusion rushed through her at the sob from her mother. What was going on? Nothing would induce her to marry the man who had treated her with such contempt, and Payton knew she had a fight on her hands. “Will someone please tell me what is happening? Mother is crying and, Father, you are speaking of matters of which I am ignorant.” She did nothing to hide her exasperation, though she feared her anxiety bled into her demand, betraying the depth of her nervousness.
“Lord Jensen has informed us of the shocking encounter he had with you last season at Lady Graham’s midnight soiree,” Aunt Florence said softly.
The memory of the night scythed through Payton, and she visibly jerked, a blush staining her face.
“Good heavens,” her mother cried, quite theatrically. “It is true.”
The room went deathly quiet with the crackling fireplace the only sound. What could she say? He had kissed her, more than once, and she had returned his embraces. He had just proposed, and the excitement of helping her family attain what they had longed hoped for had swept her away.
“I believe this is where I exit,” the duke said, his fathomless gaze piercing Payton. “This is a family matter best discussed in private. I will procure the license.”
She clasped her hands to hide their shakiness. “Please, Your Grace, I beg you not to. I cannot marry—”
A growl slipped from her father, and he rose to his intimidating height. “You will marry the man you thoughtlessly gave your virtue to. The man who has sought to do right by you, and whom you have ignored every step of the way. He thought there was a child, Payton. Lord Jensen believed this was the reason we had rushed you off to the country…to hide the child you had created,” her father ended on a near shout.
She blinked stupidly at her father. A child? Who had a child? Clarity broke through her muddled mind with sharp precision. She stiffened, outrage pouring through her. “I assure you my virtue has not been compromised. Lord Jensen only kissed me!” Mortification burned through Payton, but she held her father’s volatile glare.
He gave her an incredulous look. “Do not believe me to be a simpleton, daughter. I may have been neglectful in doing my duties since I have been in England, but no more.”
Anger nearly choked her. “You cannot be serious. Lord Jensen and I…I…never…” Her entire face burned to be having such an intimate discussion with her father, and in the presence of Calydon. Why would Lord Jensen behave in such a despicable manner?
She moved closer to her father. “I swear to you, Father, on the night he proposed to me, he kissed me twice, very chastely I might add, nothing that would warrant a wedding.”
“Why would Lord Jensen, the heir to the viscountcy, lie about—?”
“How do you know they were chaste kis—?”
Her parents broke off their simultaneous questions to glare at her.
“Lord Jensen would not lie.” Her mother spoke first. “He is a gentleman. The son of a viscount. You must allow him to do the honorable thing and marry you.”
Payton stared at her appalled. As if Lord Jensen’s title elevated him above being despicable. “He is lying,” she insisted. “I cannot fathom his reasons, but I assure you, Mother, I never acted in the manner he is insinuating.”
Aunt Florence exhaled with relief and gave her a small encouraging smile.
Her father ignored all of that, clasped her shoulders, and peered down into her face, his eyes blazing with anger. “How did you know St. John’s kisses were chaste, young lady?”
What?
“Father, this is utter madness.” She wanted to throw her hands in the air and scream. She felt attacked from all sides, without a supporting face in the library.
“How?” he roared, and she jumped, pulling from his tightening grip.
Instinctively her gaze flicked to Calydon. A blush heated her face, and she saw awareness dawn in his eyes, then a pleased smiled curved his lips. Why was he pleased?
“Father…I…I am assuming, I am not sure of anything at this moment,” she ended, ashamed to feel tears burning behind her lids. “I would appreciate it if you would lower your voice.”