Why did he come to me? That question reverberated in her head for the next five days though why it would she did not know. The man only had to ask anyone to know who she was and besides that, she was a society miss, rarely missing any balls she was sent an invitation to and with a brother such as hers she was always wanted in societal circles. Sometimes by men who wished to gain a strong family alliance with a man as powerful as the Marquess of Rothston and sometimes by men who thought more of investments and political games by having his ear. Either way, she was desired. But why would he ask her if he already knew?
More to the point, why would he tease and taunt her like that, forcing her to the brink of scandal and touch her so inappropriately? So harshly? She would have liked to have thought of herself as the type of woman who would cut the fellow directly and make sure he knew that his behavior was not only unacceptable but would not go unpunished. But instead all she could seem to think about was the way her heart had sped up and how the fear she'd felt from him dominant actions had set her blood afire which was something she'd fantasized about since coming out into society at eighteen. She'd dreamed of a man who would affect her in some way, she'd just never envisioned him so dark, so eager to see her squirm.
"My lady, your mother and brother desire your presence in his Grace's office downstairs," Glenda, her lady's made said, her face beaming which, for some reason, immediately had Eloise feeling uneasy. "Shall I inform them of your arrival?"
"What for? I'm well dressed and can inform them of the same when I arrive," she said with a sniff as she rose from her vanity and made her way to the first floor of their London townhouse. It had been in their family for years set in lovely Mayfair where all the best families came to live each February for the start of the season only to retire to their country estates come August. Unless you were a bachelor like her older brother Rhys, in which case you stayed in London for the years entirety.
Arriving just outside Rhy's office, she was not at all surprised to hear her mother and father speaking with someone just behind the closed door. The family often had visitors and no doubt Samuel had come to apologize for leaving her unchaperoned last night, the fellow was very courtly that way. Giving the door a short knock, she went in and immediately the smile she had fixed on her face fell when she saw him.
"Ah, darling, you never told me how charming your family is." Gregory St. James, Duke of Glastonbury, said with a snide smile that only she could see before turning a more conventional one on her mother. "Is your daughter always so quiet before noonday? I fear she is anything but when I see her regularly."
The aging Lady Langton immediately offered a chuckle at what she perceived as the man's jest. Her face, like Glenda's, was so bright and beaming that Eloise's stomach knotted even more and had her asking abruptly, "What are you doing here?"
"Eloise!" her mother scolded.
"No, no, it's quite alright, my Lady. Your daughter and I spoke at length but I never gave her an answer when she asked when I would stop and speak to you and the Marquess on her behalf." Standing, he moved to the door and, while his back was to the rest of the room, gave her a smile that was so sinister that she actually took a step back. He immediately gripped her hand - hard - and turned to face the other Langtons. Meeting Rhys's eyes, he gave the man a beaming smile before asking, "What say you, your Grace? Do you accept my suit and consent to giving me your sister's hand?"
"WHAT?!" Eloise exploded, attempting to yank her hand away only to have the man squeeze it harder and turn to her.
"Darling, don't be coy. Your brother understands and so, I suspect, does your mother. Love is a rare thing and something we can hardly tip our noses up at."
"You filthy-"
Rhys stood and came around the desk to sit on the edge. He scowled at his sister. "Really, Eloise, the show is unnecessary. I told you I would allow you your choice in husbands should I approve and in this case I do. I've been a business partner with the Duke for years on select projects. He'll make a fine husband, you don't need to be so dramatic, my dear."
"Then it's settled," Eliza, Lady Langton, said with a smile and a clap of her hands. "We shall begin wedding preparations and post the bands in the times-"
"You are all mad!" Eloise said, flabbergasted and angry beyond all reason. She had only met the fiend for ten minutes a few days ago and here she was practically married to him. "I barely know this fiend and am definitely NOT going to marry him!"
"You will watch your mouth, girl," Rhys, much older than his sister, did not put up with mouthing off. "He is a peer of the realm and one you will respect."
"My Lord," Glastonbury sighed. "My Lady, I had hoped not to bring this to your attention or delicate ears but I fear it is my fault. I was so taken with the girl, I could not help but seduce her. I had hoped to marry her quickly without that bit being known but I find I cannot in good conscience lie to you. After all, you're soon to be my family."
This was not what Rhys wanted to hear but his glare did not fall on Glastonbury but to his sister. The accusation was clearly in his eyes that she had caused this and she knew when she saw that look that her fate was already decided.
"You cannot believe this!" she gasped out. "He's lying!"
"Oh, Eloise," her mother sighed. "You needn't carry on so. We all make mistakes. Luckily his Grace is willing to forgive the way you came together and have you as you are."
"Indeed, Lady, I must insist on it. My Eloise may even now be carrying my heir and it simply would not do for her to give birth before nine proper months."
"He's right," The Marquess agreed with a nod. "The scandal would cloud both our names. Gretna Green is the only option here."
Glastonbury nodded. "I'm pleased you see my way. I would ask you order your sister to prepare and overnight bag so that we may make all possible haste. She is clearly not the catering woman I thought she was."
Eliza flushed in shame. She had, after all, raised the girl to be as she was. "Eloise, do as your husband suggests. Get packed."
"I cannot believe," she said, face flushed and breasts pumping madly with the quick breaths that were brought about by her anger. "That you would believe this cad over your own kin. I am telling you that he is a blackguard!"
"Eloise!" Eliza gasped in horror and covered her mouth.
"I have only met him once and am as chaste now as the day I was born. He may be a Duke but he is also a liar!"
Rhys's fist slammed against his desk, his face awash with fury. "Enough! You shame me and this house, chit! Acting this way even as his Grace offers his hand to you when he could very well leave you shamed. You will go upstairs and ready yourself or by God you are cut off and will be cast out into the street with the rest of the whores!"
Eloise was so shocked he brother had spoken to her thusly after so many years of being so caring and patient that she was on the verge of tears. She had no choice and she would forever hate her soon-to-be-husband for it. Jerking her hand away from the man, she made it to the top of the stairs before bursting into tears.
The Duke listened to her go before turning a scowl to the Marquess. "In the future, you will not liken my wife you a whore. She may be willful, but she deserves your respect as your sister."
Rhys grunted, "She knows as well as I that I meant not a word of it but she is willful and would not have given in under any other circumstances."
"I will send for you when we return home from Scotland and expect you to apologize to her accordingly," his tone brook no argument and his order quickly received a nod despite the look of aggravation the other man showed at being ordered around.
-..--..--..-
The carriage was sleek and new, the cushions plush and comfortable. It was a vehicular masterpiece the man owned and would have been appreciated, especially in light of the long ride ahead, but Eloise paid none of it any attention. In fact, she gave her full attention to the country side as they rode out of London and beyond. The country side and her baggage, that is. Her baggage held her freedom. Nevermind how ridiculous it sounded that she would run away simply to avoid marriage to a Duke. Glastonbury, she'd learned in the last hour or so, was an evil man willing to do or say anything to get exactly what he wanted and she seemed to be on today's agenda. Why, he'd turned her own family against her and had her brother, who had never spoken all ill word to her, threaten to cut her off. She could not seek help with anyone now, not in her social circles with a Duke claiming to have bedded her and her brother refusing to shelter her. She would be seen as a soiled dove and ignored accordingly.
She had only one choice - she had to escape and build a life for herself. She'd carried several bags of clothes inside her garments held her precious jewels and trinkets that she would imagine would fetch a hefty price. Why, perhaps she'd find a small village and purchase her own cottage. Though what she would do for servants or food she was unsure of.
Oh, why hadn't she said yes to Samuel when he'd asked? The life he offered would have been boring, she knew, but of a certainty it would be better than this. Perhaps even now he would have her. If she could get to him and have him marry her hastily, perhaps the Duke would leave her in peace. Unless he spewed his lies to Samuel as well then the man would no doubt resent her as well. She sighed at the thought and leaned back against the seat. It was all so hopeless.
"You need not make such pathetic noises, darling," Glastonbury spoke from across the carriage, his eyes only cracked open as he rested his head back against a cushion. "You'll enjoy much? pleasure, at my expense."
"Kindly do me the favor of keeping your tongue behind your teeth. I don't want to hear any more of your fork-tongued lies!"
Glastonbury grunted, his mouth tipping up at one side in humor which only served to annoy Eloise all the more. "My tongue, dove, is many pleasurable things but snakelike I think not. You need not act as you do, you and I both know you wanted me form the moment you saw me, I'm merely giving you what you want plus my attention. You should be pleased as I am. I have no doubt you will make a superb wife and bed partner."
"The mere thought makes me ill," she threw back.
"I think not. You were thinking of me moments ago when you were trying to ignore me, were you not? You may appear to be against this match, but I know better."
She snorted, "Fat lot you know. I was hardly thinking of you but of my dear, sweet Samuel. I should have told him yes when he asked me to marry him at the ball- Eeek!" she shrieked when he was suddenly on her side of the carriage his large hand gripping her face, squeezing her cheeks so hard as to give her mouth a fishlike appearance, as he glowered at her.
"You are mine. I am the only man you will think of, I am the only man you will marry and I am the only man you will ever fuck. Do you understand me?" he growled.
"You're hurting me!" she said awkwardly as she shoved at his hand.
Grunting, he kisses her hard and bit her bottom lip just hard enough to make her gasp in pain before returning to his side of the carriage.