Page 40 of The Dare Before Christmas

“I rather think what you were holding is more to the point, my fine fellow,” Axton pointed out mildly, his eyes twinkling with mirth.

“Axton, that’s enough of that,” Aunt Hester said, sending the man a look that suggested he hold his tongue if he wanted to live through the night. She let go of the duke’s hand but remained standing close to him. “Barnaby, I am surprised at you, truly I am. Well, you’ve done it now. You must marry the lady, of course.”

“What?” Barnaby exclaimed, staring at his aunt, so shocked by her pronouncement he couldn’t think straight. “Marry her… but… you’re the only one that’s seen, Aunt.”

“And the duke,” Aunt Hester reminded him.

“Yes, but… surely the duke would—”

“Oh, no.” His aunt shook her head. “He can’t be trusted. A terrible tattlemonger.”

“Hester, that’s coming it a bit strong, I—”

Hester sent the duke another hold your tongue or die look, and the fellow subsided.

“I can’t be trusted,” Axton confessed with apparent gravity. “Tongue enough for two sets of teeth, eh, my dear?”

He winked then and Aunt Hester blushed. Blushed! What the devil was going on?

“I see.” Barnaby said.

He was caught securely and with no means of escape. He waited for panic to set in, for the sensation of a noose tightening about his neck… but it didn’t come.

“Lady Balderston, really, I don’t think Mr Godwin ought to be punished for— It was my doing entirely. He only came to help me because I was so cold and, and I kissed him, and if I hadn’t… Well, it’s all my fault—” Torie insisted miserably.

“Don’t talk nonsense,” Barnaby said, cutting her off, horrified that she should attempt to take the blame when her reputation hung in the balance. This was bad enough without her making herself look like a strumpet, which was so far from the truth, it was laughable. “This was entirely my doing. You’re an innocent, I took advantage. That’s all. Nothing to be done about it.”

Somehow that had sounded rather cold and not quite as he’d wanted it to, but he was feeling befuddled and uncomfortable under his aunt and Axton’s piercing gazes.

“B-But Mr Godwin doesn’t want to m-marry me,” Victoria said, tearful now.

“Oh, come now—” Barnaby began, for that was patently ridiculous. Surely she knew that much?

“Then what the devil was he doing in your room, taking liberties?” Aunt Hester demanded scathingly. “Barnaby, downstairs, at once. I wish to speak with you in private. Heaven alone knows what we shall tell Bedwin in the morning when he left his daughter in my care. I was never more astonished. You, of all men.”

Barnaby wondered if he would wake up soon, because this could not be real. It simply couldn’t be his life. He was not the sort of fellow who went about ruining young ladies. Except he had. There was no getting away from it. Not that he particularly wanted to get away from it, but this had not been the way he had wanted things to proceed and now—Holy God. Bedwin. The thought of facing the duke and telling him….

“I need a drink,” Barnaby said faintly.

“Good idea. Me too,” Axton agreed at once. “Just a small one,” he added, catching Aunt Hester’s sharp look.

Barnaby ran a none-too-steady hand through his hair and then turned to look at Victoria. She was huddled beneath the counterpane still, her cheek blazing with humiliation, eyes too bright. The poor girl looked utterly miserable. He crouched down and took her hand.

“It will be all right, Victoria. I promise. Don’t worry,” he said, hoping he sounded reassuring.

“But you don’t want to marry me. You said so,” she replied dully.

“I’d need to be out of my mind not to want to marry you, foolish girl. I’m only sorry I’m not a better catch.”

She shook her head, scowling. “You’re the only one I ever wanted, but not like this. I did not mean for this to happen, please believe me. I did not mean to trap you,” she said, her voice quavering now.

“Of course not. I know that. Now, stop fretting. I shall get some dinner sent up to you and a hot bath, and then you get some sleep, and we shall talk in the morning. Don’t worry. I shall take care of everything. My word upon it.”

Victoria looked as if she would say more, but Barnaby squeezed her fingers gently and she subsided with a nod. He didn’t like to leave her alone, not when she looked so unhappy, but his aunt was going to have his hide, and he would much rather that happen in private.

“Until the morning,” he promised her.

Victoria nodded, and so Barnaby stood and followed his aunt and the duke out of the room.