Chapter 9

Chapter Nine

W hen his carriage stopped in front of the Hobbs townhouse. He came down when the footman opened the door then he stood at the entrance looking up at the structure while trying to compose himself.

He remembered he had been there merely three weeks prior for a similar yet altogether different reason and he couldn't help but laugh. Two marriage proposals for two different daughters.

To anyone outside, the Viscount would have appeared to be a man graced by God.

When he knocked, the butler opened, and this time had learnt to control his expressions better.

"Your Grace." He bowed in greeting.

"I am here to see the Viscount."

He nodded and opened the door wider, letting him in.

"Where might I find him?" He asked once his coat was hung.

"He is in his study." He answered. "Please wait in the receiving room while I inquire if he will be joining you there."

A few minutes later he returned and announced that he would be meeting the Viscount in his study.

"Alright, please lead the way," he answered.

" Certainly, your grace".

The butler bowed then led the way to his master's study. When they got to the stairs that led to the upper part of the house, they had to pause because a young girl of about fifteen summers was skipping down the stairs with excitement. He guessed she had to be the last daughter of the family.

"Good morning, Billings," she greeted waving at the butler.

"Good morning to you, Miss Diana," the butler returned with a slight bow.

The girl turned, tilting her head to look at him with a curious expression

"I presume you are the Duke of Devlin?" she asked a bold tilt to her chin.

The girl was bold and fearless he would give her that, most girls her age would run the other way, immediately they got a glimpse of his scarred features. Her immediate elder sister being prime example.

He was secretly happy that he did not have to endure marriage to that one. He guessed he dodged a bullet with her.

"At your service, miss," he answered with a bow.

At his answer, he might have been expecting the young lady to scramble to curtesy to show respect instead she folded both arms across her tiny chest and fixing her defiant stare in him she continued

"I hope you have good intentions towards Victoria. I will have to challenge you if you do not do right by her," she said with a mutinous look on her face.

Anthony was tempted to ask her if she really thought to challenge him to a duel.

A look at her tiny figure and he had to fight hard to mask his amusement. The tiny authoritarian lady was not going to appreciate him laughing at her

Instead, he cleared his throat and answered her.

"I do have good intentions towards your sister. That is the reason why I am here to see your father."

Nodding in understanding, she turned to leave, seeming to remember something she turned back to him.

"Do you love her?" She asked abruptly and Anthony was taken aback by the unexpected question.

He was however saved from having to provide an answer by the sound of Charity coming down the stairs.

"That's enough Diana, it's time for your lessons, go to the library"

The bold chit grumbled under a breath, but she reluctantly climbed the stairs taking her back to the upper part of the house.

"Sorry for the inconvenience, your grace," Miss Charity greeted with a curtsey, her eyes carefully fixed on his chest. It was obvious she was avoiding looking directly at his face. He immediately started missing the presence of Little Diana with her bold and sassy manner, she was more intriguing than her elder sister.

"It was no inconvenience at all. I was actually enjoying our conversation," he answered with an amused chuckle.

Charity did not share his amusement as her expression remained stoic.

"I hear you are here to meet my father to ask for my sister's hand."

"Yes, I believe I am. I realize that it is not well done of me to come seeking the hand of one sister in marriage when I have already indicated interest in her sister."

Not that he thought she would be jealous. She was most likely relieved going by the way she had never hidden her distaste for him.

"You do not have to apologize to me. Besides," she raised her head to fix him with a rueful stare, "I don't think you would have been happy, married to me. You never wanted me, I just made sense to you. But my sister, she is a different story all together. You are different with her. You are in love with her, no matter how much you deny it.

"It is glaring for everyone to see. I am very glad, because Victoria deserves the absolute best and I have an inkling you would give her the absolute best. I just ask that you treat her as the absolute treasure she is," she told him with a reassuring smile.

She gave a tiny bit with her head and walked past him leaving him with a stupefied expression on his face.

She had walked quite some distance away when he regained his voice

"Why so you think I am a good fit for your sister when you so obviously detest me?"

She turned back to look at him, a confused look on her face

"I never detested you, your grace. You are by far one of the most charming gentleman in the ton . Any reluctance you might have noted on my part, had more to do with the fact that I am already in love with someone else. Also, " she paused with a shy smile, " You, your grace, can be most intimidating, don't you realize? This is why Victoria is your perfect fit, she would never bow in fear and she is brave enough to stand up to anyone."

"You are not exactly a coward yourself, telling me all this to my face," he said drily.

She laughed lightly, the sound shocking Anthony, because she had never been comfortable enough to laugh in his presence

"This bout of courage only comes once in a while. It is quite rare, I regret to inform you."

He highly doubted that. No matter how shy Miss Charity Hobbs might be, he had a feeling that she could turn into a warrior whenever the situation called for it especially when the situation involved a loved one like a sister.

"I hope you have a good discussion with Father. His study is just two doors away from the right," with that information she walked away sedately.

He had not expected to meet Victoria's sisters on this visit. But he had met not one but two of her sisters.

Suffice to say that he now knew that he risked serious bodily harm should he ever hurt Victoria's heart.

His lady was so lucky to have such loyal defenders as sister. The mental image of them beating him with parasols or fashionable hand fans brought an amused laugh to his lips.

Life was definitely going to be interesting with his future sister in laws, and a part of him was excited to acquire siblings since he never had any growing up.

He had always envied his peers that spoke about their siblings even though they all claimed they were a menace. That type of chaos were welcome in his life. He craved it in fact.

With that joy in his heart, he strode down to the Viscount's study, the butler was standing just outside and announced his presence to the Viscount within.

Shortly after, he was ushered inside. When he stepped inside. The Viscount stood up, walked around the table and with a bow greeted

"Good day, your grace. It is my honor to have you here."

"My pleasure," he answered, shaking his proffered hand.

"Please have a seat," The Viscount said, offering him a seat. The duke took his seat.

The Viscount walked to a small tablethat held a decanter of drink and glasses. He poured one glass for himself then raised it and asked

"Drink?"

"A glass of brandy, please" he said. The sort of the discussion they are about to have, required a bracing drink.

The Viscount poured him a glass then carried them both to the table, handing him one, he retook his seat behind the desk.

Anthony waited until the man settled into his seat before speaking I believe you know the reason I am here."

"I imagine it has something to do with the scandal at yesterday's ball"

" Yes, I apologize for being party to your daughter's ruination "

" No need to apologize your grace. I only plead that you do right by her"

" Of course, I came here to ask for your daughter Victoria's hand in marriage. I realize that I previously came for the hand of your younger daughter in marriage. It is not well done of me, but the situation demands that I do the honorable thing"

" I am happy to give my daughter's hand in marriage to you. But," the man rearranged himself uncomfortably on the chair

" I do not have any dowry arranged for her since I never thought she would be married at such an age. I just concentrated on my much younger daughters".

It rubbed him the wrong way, that the Viscount placed so little value in his eldest daughter that he had not set money out for her dowry.

Most doting fathers he knew, believed their daughters were the best gems that ever existed no matter what. The fact that Victoria had a father who believed her undesirable simply because she had been unmarried for a long time did not speak well of the Viscount's character.

" I have no need for her dowry as you must be aware, I have the means to take care of my family" he answered stiffly.

" About that, " the man continued fanning the fires of annoyance within Anthony's chest

" I know I promised to give you my daughter Charity in marriage. I had hoped that you would support us financially in exchange. My estate is crumbling around my ears.

" Now that you are marrying Victoria. We would be doomed, she is the one who keeps the books. She has managed to keep us afloat this past few years. With her away we would surely starve.

At least give us something to keep meals on our table. You would not want your wife's family becoming beggars, would you?"

Anthony tried and failed to control his anger. He didn't know what infuriated him more, was it the fact that the lazy man had no qualms depending on his daughter to provide sustenance for the family or the fact that he believed he had the right to demand that he take over the financial burden of the family just because he wanted to marry his daughter.

Now that he thought about it, it was quite suspicious that the man had agreed to give his paragon of a daughter Charity, to him at first.

Because what sane father would give his young daughter out to the beastly duke who had rumors of violence surrounding him. Who would give his daughter out to such a man with no questions asked?

The answer was that only a greedy one who saw his daughters as meal tickets would do that.

He had heard whispers and rumors that Lord Wynten had an addiction to gambling. There have been rumors that he had lost a family house in Scotland on one of the gambling tables. He had waved such stories away but the man's behavior at the moment gave some credence to the stories.

How sure was he that the scandal was an accident? There was a possibility that Victoria had only seduced him according to her father's wishes simply to secure a wealthy suitor.

He hated to admit that the heated looks and loving concern and laughter in her eyes that he had fallen in love was an act. Unfortunately no matter how much he tried to shake the thought. It refused to leave, taking strong roots on his mind and gradually poisoning it with white hot rage.

"So this is all about money?" he asked in a voice that was surprisingly quiet.

The Viscount seemed to pick up the cold rage hidden in his tone. The man was apparently not completely a fool

"Of course not, I know Victoria likes you as well and you have a tendre for her. Everyone can see the calf eyed looks you exchange between yourselves.

"I never wanted the scandal to happen, but I think it is best, because it allows us to have what we all want. Don't you agree?" The man asked with a nervous smile revealing yellowing teeth.

Anthony felt his hands curl into fists as he fought not to plant a blow on the man's smiling face. It was just the greying hair on the man's head and his frail frame and hands that shook with tremors that stopped him.

The Viscount Wynten was not well, and he would not be the one to help him join the other side early.

"I hate to say this of another gentleman, but you, my lord, are despicable and absolutely shameless. The only reason why I am marrying your daughter, is because I am a man of honor and I could never allow a lady go to ruin because of me. Good day sir" he said standing up so fast he almost toppled his seat.

He strode to the door jerked it open, exited and closed it behind him. Walking fast towards the entrance. He had to leave this house before he lost his temper and did something he would regret.

He was already halfway to the entrance when he heard his name

"Anthony?" a curious voice asked softly.

He turned towards the sound for the voice. For a moment he was mesmerized by the vision before him. Victoria was standing on the landing of the staircase in a silk pink robe, her hair loosened to fall to her waist. She seemed to have just awakened from sleep.

Standing there her skin flushed and barefooted she reminded him of a woodland sprite. And she might be, she certainly had him enthralled with her beauty. He had to shake his head to regain control of his faculties

When he recovered, the familiar anger returned, what right did she have to look innocent when she had connived with her father to trap him in marriage. It also annoyed him how much control she had over his mind. How easily she could make him forget himself.

"I guess you should be ecstatic now. You have won,," he said bitterly

She shook her head, her expression one of confusion.

"I fail to see what you think I should rejoice over."

"I will implore you to spare me the innocence act. I know you know exactly why I am visiting your family house this early in the morning. Congratulations you have finally gotten me to propose to you".

"I never asked you to propose, Anthony, you insisted"

"Of course I insisted, you of all people know I have no choice in the matter. The ton already thinks I am without honor. You want me to prove them right?"

"This is about honor? You are free to withdraw your proposal!" she replied angrily.

"I would never give you the satisfaction of being the victim. Never!" he said, walking towards her. He knew that their emotions were running dangerously close to the surface, but he couldn't stop himself. He walked closer until he stood right in front of her.

"I will marry you like you want but I warn you," he said, allowing his mouth to curve in a cruel smirk. "You just might have trapped yourself with a monster you created."

"I am not afraid of you," she answered tilting her jaw in defiance. She might have fooled him into believing her but the pulse that fluttered at her neck and the slight shudder that wracked her body proclaimed her a liar.

The lady was not immune to him at all, her body recognized his and it was betraying her no matter how much she tried to hide it

Everything might be a lie but this, the response of her body to his she could never mask it and a primal part of him rejoiced at that fact

Stepping even closer he was rewarded by a hitch in her breath that sped up into a slight pant. He raised her hand to caress the silky skin of her cheek. She shuddered in response to his touch.

"Are you sure?" he whispered lowly.

"Yes," she answered but her eyes were fixed on his lips. It was obvious she was thinking about the possibility of kissing him. The arousal he had been suffering since he set on eyes on her sharpened into an incessant ache.

Now their mouths were only a breath a part, A little movement he would be devouring her delectable mouth. The memory of how soft and sweet her mouth had tasted the previous night threatened to push him to his knees.

Instead of kissing her, he braced both hands on the wall behind and focused on taking deep breaths to calm himself and recover some part of his sanity that seemed to desert him whenever he was in Victoria's presence.

He could give in to his arousal and kiss her senseless but he might give her a weapon to manipulate him with. Instead he was going to use her body and it's yearning for his to torture her. He had long years to look forward to for his revenge. He even anticipated the kind of sensual torture he would exert on her body.

A part of him wondered if he would be able to withstand it, but that was worry for the future at this moment he could punish her by not granting her the kiss she desperately wanted.

He shifted away from her and heard her barely concealed whimper

"Shh..." he whispered, "I know you want me, but you my dear have to pay for your deception, and I will get my revenge from driving you insane with desire. Ordinarily that might be desirable except I have no plans to help ease it. That is my punishment, I would torture you until you beg me, sobbing to ease the burn of desire," he whispered.

"You will be waiting a long time, I would never beg," she replied defiantly

"You think so?" he said stepping closer to her. The shuddering of her body began again and he watched her swallow hard. She would never be able to hold out for long before she begged, he was sure.

He stepped even closer until his lips was close to hers. She closed her eyes and he blew a breath over her lips, she clutched his waistcoat with a whimper that fanned the flames of his arousal.

He stepped back immediately before he embarrassed himself

"I think you deceive yourself, wife. I guess I would see you soon."

With that he walked away calmly.

When the door closed behind him, Victoria crumbled to the floor, her knees unable to hold her up any longer.

Had the Duke not left she was sure she might have climbed the man like a pole anything to ease the desire that burned through her blood.

The man was definitely potent, just the sight of him turned her into a wanton needy female.

The fact that he aimed to torture her with her body, was both exciting and scary because she doubted that she could hold out for long.

Going by her reaction to the man just few moments ago, the man just had to touch her and she would throw her pride to the wind.

She did not know what had made her challenge the duke when the man could play her body flawlessly like an instrument and could make her beg without much effort.

Well, one thing she was sure of was that she was not alone in the attraction. With enough knowledge, she was sure she could make him beg as well.

Now that she thought about it, she did not understand why he felt the need to punish her for trapping him. Just the night before he had been the one reassuring her.

What had changed between the night before and this moment? She wondered.

When her sisters had come upstairs to tell her that the duke was here to see Father, she had rushed down just belting her robe over a nightgown. She had hoped he was in Father's study so she had hoped to eavesdrop

Instead she met him walking out with anger radiating off of him in waves. She wondered what Father had said to him to provoke such anger.

She knew that she was supposed to be scared in the face of such anger instead she became filled with wanton desire. Calm Anthony was devastatingly attractive in a dark way but an angry Anthony was just sinfully irresistible.

She just hoped a part of her remained after she married the duke because the man seemed fit to devour her and she had a feeling she would absolutely enjoy it.