Chapter Twenty-One

"Temperance?"

Setting down her paintbrush, Temperance turned toward her mother. "Yes, Mama?"

"Lord Barlington has come to call," the Duchess told her, a flash in her eyes. "You will speak with him for a few minutes and then I will return to join you. He tells me that he has been unable to tell you all that is on his heart and I have promised him that he can do so now."

"And I refuse," Temperance replied, firmly. "I have no desire to hear what he has to say. I have already spoken to my father about another matter and – "

"The Earl?" The Duchess let out a broken laugh and shook her head. "You have a Marquess seeking you out, Temperance!"

"And I do not care for him!" Temperance exclaimed. "Do you not understand by now, Mama, that – "

"That is enough , Temperance!" The Duchess threw up her hands, her voice echoing around the room. "You will see Lord Barlington and you will listen to him or so help me, there will be heavy consequences!"

Temperance blinked, a little shocked at her mother's vehemence but there was no time for her to say anything more. Her mother marched from the room but the moment she stepped out, Lord Barlington made his way in. The smile on his face made Temperance's heart sink low and she quickly resumed her place behind the couch, ready to protect herself from him if she had to.

"It seems clear to me that you do not want to speak with me, Temperance."

" Lady Temperance," she answered, fully aware that he would have heard everything she had just said to her mother – and what response the Duchess had given. "No, I do not. I have no knowledge as to why you insist but it seems as though I have no choice." She shrugged lightly, keeping her tone as unconcerned as she could. "Not that such things matter. If I listen to you, then my mother will be satisfied, you will have said whatever it is you wish to say and that will be that. "

Lord Barlington chuckled and Temperance's skin crawled. How much she despised this gentleman! Could she truly have thought herself in love with him so long ago? Perhaps she had never truly known him, had never really understood his character.

"Tell me what you are thinking, Temperance," he said, coming to stand only a few steps away from her though the couch remained in between them. "Your eyes are thoughtful. I have always loved your eyes."

Her jaw tightened. "I am thinking how glad I am for this ," she said, throwing up one hand towards her scar. "It is something that, at one time, tore me apart but now, I find myself glad of it."

"Glad?" Lord Barlington snorted. "How could you find yourself happy over such a marring of your features? What sort of joy can that ugliness bring you?"

Anger burst through her and she squeezed her hands tight into fists, refusing to permit his harsh words to elicit a lack of propriety from her. She would remain in control, regardless of what he threw at her.

"It brings me joy because it has shown me precisely the sort of gentleman you are," she said, softly. "I am glad of it because it saved me from a life of what would have been nothing short of misery. I would have married you, believing you to be the gentleman you pretended to be, only to realise that you were not that fellow at all. How glad I am now that our engagement broke apart! How relieved I am to know that I shall be free of you forever."

Lord Barlington's jaw set, his eyes turning to granite. "I would not say such a thing as that," he said, his voice dropping low as a light shiver ran over Temperance's skin. "I have decided that we shall marry, Temperance."

She shook her head. "In case I have not made myself clear, Barlington, I shall never marry you. I have no interest in reacquainting myself with you, no interest in even hearing what you have to say. So – "

"If you do not, then I shall bring heavy consequences down upon Lord Calverton."

In an instant, all of Temperance's confidence evaporated. Her eyes flared wide and she stared at Lord Barlington, seeing how he smirked. Did he know what she felt for Lord Calverton? Were his threats something she ought to truly consider ?

"I saw you waltzing with him last evening," Lord Barlington continued, coming around the couch though Temperance, on weak legs, did her best to move away from him. "I saw him speaking with you and how much you smiled at him. What was it that he asked you, Temperance? Did he ask to court you? To further his acquaintance with you? Well no, you shall not be permitted to step into his arms, I am afraid. That pleasure belongs to me."

Temperance's throat ached but, with fire still burning in her veins – albeit without the same strength – she glared back at him. "It is nothing to do with you what I spoke of with Lord Calverton. But your threats mean nothing to me, Barlington. Nothing at all."

"No?" His eyebrow lifted as though he knew she was lying.

"No," she answered, as firmly as she could. "I do not believe you. Even if you did threaten such things, I shall simply speak of them to Lord Calverton and then what will you do?"

He lifted his shoulders. "I think I should carry out my threat regardless," he answered, coldly. "There are easy enough rumours to spread about any one person of the ton and whether the person knows of them or not makes no difference. It will be up to the ton to decide whether they are true."

Temperance blinked. "Rumours? You intend to start rumours about Lord Calverton?" She rolled her eyes, attempting to cling onto a little strength. "That means nothing."

"Oh, but it does. He has suffered a great deal already, has he not?" Evidently seeing her confusion, Lord Barlington let out a bark of laughter. "He has not told you of it! Well then, permit me to do so. You see, my dear Temperance, Lord Calverton is the younger brother. The elder brother, the one who first claimed the title, was nothing but a rogue and a scoundrel, who wasted his fortune on all the things a gentleman ought not even to consider. He died in a most tragic manner – but it certainly did bring with it a lot of whispers and gossip with it. The ton are very interested in that particular family and would, I dare say, love to know that Lord Calverton is exactly like his brother, if not worse!"

Tears began to prick in the corner of Temperance's eyes. "But he is not."

Lord Barlington laughed again. "I am well aware of that but to ruin his reputation would bring me a great deal of pleasure. And, mayhap, I shall do the very same to Lady Calverton. And mayhap, after that, the same to Lord and Lady Thurston. "

Temperance began to shake violently, aware that everything Lord Barlington was saying had a ring of truth to it. She could not speak. She could not find a single word to say to him in response, her breathing ragged and quick.

"You see, my dear Temperance, unless I am permitted to marry you, I will do all of these things – and more," Lord Barlington murmured, though he did not move towards her. Instead, his eyes set to hers, the darkness there frightening her all the more. "Your sisters will not be safe from me. Do you hear me?"

What could she do but nod?

"I will have you, Temperance," he finished, his voice low and thick with wickedness. "I must."

"But why?" she whispered, tears beginning to fall to her cheeks. "Why must you do such a thing? What is it about me that forces such schemes?"

Lord Barlington waved a hand, half turning away from her. "Oh, it is not you, Lady Temperance," he said, with a snort of evident derision. "I have every intention of setting you aside, to have you live in a private quarter of the house for I certainly have no desire to look upon your countenance every day! Though there will have to be the heir produced, of course. That is a requirement. But I also require your dowry and the income that you will bring to this marriage." He tilted his head at her. "That is all."

Temperance closed her eyes and shuddered violently. She could barely breathe, her heart racing, her mind screaming at her to find an answer, to find a way of escape.

She could find none.

"I will go and tell your father that we are reconciled and will marry within the month," she heard Lord Barlington say, his voice sounding both very near and very distant, both at the same time. "I do warn you now, Temperance. If you dare say a word of this to anyone, if you dare tell Lord Calverton of my threats, they will come down upon every single person you care for without hesitation. Lives will be ruined. Your nieces and nephews will have no reputation to speak of. Can you live with that?"

The door opened and closed and Temperance dropped her head, her shoulders rounding as she broke into sobs. What was she to do? She could find no way of escape, no way to break free from Lord Barlington's grip .

But what of Lord Calverton? her heart wailed. What of what you feel for him? What of the affection you have within your heart?

That made her heart tear all over again and, blindly, she made her way back to the couch, sitting down heavily and, her shoulders shaking, gave in to her grief.

"Temperance?"

She did not look up.

"Temperance! Goodness, whatever has happened?"

An arm went around her shoulders, her aunt's voice murmuring words of comfort but Temperance heard nothing other than the tremulous beating of her heart, feeling nothing but the pain of her world shattering all over again.