Chapter 30

30

WILLIAM

T he subtle nod Lady Redgrave offered William when she reappeared in the drawing room elicited a breath of relief from him. Lord Redgrave's foul expression as he watched her enter was all the evidence needed to assure William that she had set things right with the pocket watch.

In a more just world, Redgrave would be held accountable by the law for his unsavory actions toward Clara—and likely toward other innocent women. It was the sort of world William hoped to help create, but he needed the full power and influence of the dukedom if that was to be possible.

He was not the noble man he had always thought himself, however. His heart far preferred the prospect of consigning the future of the dukedom and the world to the devil and taking Clara for his wife. If he could have conferred the dukedom upon one of his brothers, he would have been sorely tempted to do so.

But that was not an option.

After the guests retired late that evening, he was inclined to go in search of Clara, but Frederick and Anthony cajoled him into coming to the lodge. Knowing they would only be at Rushlake a few more days, William relented.

It was not until they reached the lodge and stepped into the sitting room that William realized there was something afoot.

A hand on each of William's shoulders, Silas guided him toward his favorite chair and tried to force him into the seat.

William resisted, frowning and looking around at his family, who were all watching him.

"Sit down, young man," Aunt Eugenia said peremptorily.

William eyed her but took the seat. "Is that any way to speak to an esteemed duke?" he teased, though his body was on alert. This scene smelled of an organized effort, and he didn't know what to think of it.

"You are not a duke tonight. You are my squirrelly nephew, sorely in need of guidance."

"Am I?" he replied, looking around at all of them. "Do you intend to remain standing? Am I being interrogated?"

"No," Charlotte said, and she pulled Anthony down onto the sofa.

The others followed suit, and William waited patiently, though his heartbeat was quicker than usual. What was this about?

"Charlotte," Silas said, "you should be the one to speak. You have the most knowledge of the situation."

"Situation," William repeated slowly.

"Very well," Charlotte said. "It has come to our attention that you find yourself faced with a dilemma."

William raised his brows. His entire life was a dilemma.

"You know to what we refer, I imagine," Charlotte said with a pointed gaze.

William was beginning to think he did, but he would rather wait to speak until he was certain .

Charlotte's brows went up. "Perhaps we are mistaken. Do you not face any dilemmas?"

"Oh, a hundred of them," William replied.

"Enough of this," Aunt Eugenia said. "Are you or are you not in love with one of the maids?"

Frederick snorted and quickly covered his mouth with a hand.

Anthony shot him an annoyed look.

"I am not laughing at you , William," Frederick explained. "I am laughing at Aunt Eugenia's utter lack of finesse."

"I'll finesse these fingers onto your ears and box them," she replied impatiently. "Now, give us an answer, nephew."

All eyes were upon William, but Silas's gaze was most focused and intent. William did not respond immediately. The last thing he wished was to foist the saddle of guilt onto Silas's back, which was precisely what would happen if he thought he stood in the way of William's happiness.

"If that isn't a yes, I don't know what is," Anthony said dryly.

"Agreed," Frederick concurred.

"Unmistakably a yes," Silas confirmed.

William scoffed, heat creeping into his neck. "And what of it?"

"As your family," Charlotte said, "we are concerned for you—for your future and your happiness."

"Do you still intend to offer for Lady Cassandra?" Aunt Eugenia asked, ever the one to get straight to the point.

There was a sliver of hesitation, but William could see its effect upon his family. "Yes."

"We wish to register our disapproval of such a scheme," Frederick said.

The others nodded.

William's throat thickened, and he cleared it. He was moved by this gesture from his family. Silas stood to gain the most from a match between William and Lady Cassandra, but the truth was that they would all benefit. That they were willing to forego that for William's happiness, ready to endure the gossip and ostracization that would result from a marriage with Clara…he would never forget it.

But it was precisely why he could not do it. His family meant everything to him. They deserved that he make his choices with them in mind.

"I appreciate each one of you for staging this…coup," he said with a half smile. "But I will be moving forward with my plans despite it."

Anthony and Silas shared a look.

"William." Silas scooted to the edge of his chair, resting his elbows on his knees. "If this is for me, I beg you to reconsider. Do not sacrifice your future happiness on my account. I couldn't live with myself…"

"It is not only for you," William responded. "You know better than anyone that it has been my wish all these years to leave our family's legacy better than I found it."

Charlotte clapped her hands and smiled. "And so you have! You are a duke. You may consider your quest complete."

"A duke with not a lick of influence or respect," he countered.

"That is not true," Frederick said. "It has become clear over the past two weeks that you have gained the respect of your guests."

William found his throat required clearing yet again. Frederick's ambition was robust, and a seat in the House of Commons would come far more easily with a strong connection to Lord Hawkesbury.

"You will make your mark, brother," Silas said. "It is inevitable. You are the most honorable and deserving man of title I know."

"And the stodgiest," Anthony said with a teasing half smile. "Silas is right, though. You are bound to make a name for yourself, no matter whom you marry."

William shook his head and stood. He had been arguing with himself for days, trying to find reasons not to marry Lady Cassandra. That had been difficult enough. Having his family throw their weight behind that choice was almost more than he could stand.

He stopped and faced them. "And what of Silas? He is to remain in this lodge in hiding forever?"

"Of course not," Anthony replied.

"We will find another way to clear my name," Silas said. "You know I shan't settle for anything less."

William wiped a hand over his face and shook his head. "Have you truly thought what would happen if I married Clara? Not only would I be sacrificing the positive effects of a marriage with Lady Cassandra, I would be marrying a housemaid. I was not trained or equipped to become a duke, so I know something of the pain that brings. I love Clara with every bit of my heart, and it is my greatest wish to marry her, but she is not fit to be a duchess."

"There are a great number of people unfit for the positions they hold," Aunt Eugenia said. "Only look at Prinny."

Frederick chuckled.

But William had no desire to laugh. He needed his family to understand the significance of what they imagined they wanted. He kept his gaze on Silas, for he would be hurt irreparably by the suggestion he was making.

"I would be actively alienating the entire peerage, showing utter disregard for a title of which they already think me undeserving. It would be prejudicial against your case in the worst way."

"Perhaps so," Silas said mulishly. "But we will find another way."

"There is no other way!" William shouted.

Every body in the room tensed, every eye widened, for he was not a man to lose his temper easily.

He let out a breath and dropped his head. "Forgive me. But I do not share your optimism." Uncomfortable silence filled the room. "I must return to the house. Good night to you all."

No one attempted to stop him, and he was grateful for it.

He needed to be alone with his thoughts.